History and Rules of Volleyball: A Comprehensive Guide

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan in Massachusetts, USA. William G. Morgan, a physical education teacher at the Massachusetts YMCA, spent time with J. Naismith, the creator of basketball, although he thought basketball was unsuitable for all students. So, using tennis as a basis, he designed a non-contact team sport that was fun, involved minimal risk of injury, and could be played by anyone. Originally named mintonette, it later came to be known as volleyball.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is to ground the ball on the opponent’s side of the net or to get them to hit the ball out of the court. Each time this happens, a point is won.

The ball is 65 cm in circumference and weighs 260 g. It should pass over the net separating the two halves of the court and can be hit with any part of the body. The same player cannot touch the ball twice in a row, and neither can a team hit the ball more than three times in succession.

Players

Each team has twelve players: six that begin the match and six that sit on the bench. Depending on their position, each player has a specific function:

• Defenders or backcourt players: They are responsible for receiving serves and spikes and passing the ball to the setter. They play in zones 5, 6, and 1.
• Setters: Their role is to pass the ball into a good position so a teammate can spike or hit it. They normally play in position 3.
• Spikers or hitters: They have to be strong and able to jump high to produce powerful hits. They usually play in zones 2 and 4.
• Blockers: Their role is to intercept the trajectory of the spike (smash) with their hands to stop the ball or reduce its speed. Libero: He/she is a defensive player used to replace any of the other players when they are in a defensive position. The libero can be easily recognized because he or she is dressed in a different color. The libero is not allowed to serve, block, or complete an attack.

Scoring

• A game or set is won by achieving 25 points, with a 2-point advantage over the opponent. The winner of the match is the team that wins 3 sets. In the case of a 2-set draw, the 5^th set is played to 15 points, likewise with a difference of 2 points.
• Systems for Receiving the Ball
• 1-3-2 or W-shape: Its main characteristic is that the setter in zone 3 is very close to the net, and the defender in zone 6 advances. Each time the players rotate, the one who occupies position 3 becomes the setter. The players in positions 2 and 4 will be hitters, and the rest will be in the backcourt. In this way, everyone gets the chance to learn how to play in each position.