Essential Volleyball Rules for Serving, Attacking, and Blocking

The Volleyball Serve

The service is the act of putting the ball into play by the back-right player, who is positioned in the service zone. The first serve of the first set, as well as the deciding 5th set, is executed by the team that wins the coin toss. The other sets begin with the serve of the team that did not serve first in the previous set.

Execution of the Serve

• The ball must be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released from the hand(s).
• Only one toss or release of the ball is allowed. Dribbling or moving the ball in the hands is permitted.
• At the moment of the service hit or take-off for a jump serve, the server must not touch the court, including the end line. After the hit, the player may step or land outside the service zone or inside the court.
• The server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service.
• A serve executed before the referee's whistle is canceled and must be repeated.

The Attack Hit

All actions that direct the ball toward the opponent, except for the serve and block, are considered attack hits.

Attack Hit Restrictions

• A front-row player may complete an attack hit at any height, provided the contact with the ball is made within the player's own playing space.
• A back-row player may complete an attack hit at any height from behind the front zone. A back-row player may also complete an attack hit from the front zone if, at the moment of contact, a part of the ball is lower than the top of the net.
• No player is permitted to complete an attack hit on the opponent's serve when the ball is in the front zone and entirely higher than the top of the net.

Blocking in Volleyball

Blocking is the action of players near the net intercepting the ball coming from the opponent by reaching higher than the top of the net. Only front-row players are permitted to complete a block.

• During a block, a player may place their hands and arms beyond the net, provided this action does not interfere with the opponent's play.
• A block contact is not counted as a team hit. Consequently, after a block contact, a team is entitled to three hits to return the ball.
• The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the one who touched the ball during the block.
• Blocking an opponent's serve is forbidden.

Changing Courts

After each set, the teams change courts, except for the deciding set. In the deciding set, teams change courts once the leading team reaches 8 points, and the player positions remain the same.

Ball Touching the Net

While crossing the net, the ball may touch it.

Ball in the Net

A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limit of the three team hits.