Volleyball Fundamentals: Rules, Techniques, and Players

Volleyball Basics and Court Dimensions

Volleyball is a light ball game that has become popular because it is a wonderful addition to exercise and entertainment. It is free from danger, and its rules are very simple. Players practice in the open air or indoors on a court 18 meters long and 9 meters wide. The court is divided by a mesh or network. There are different versions available for specific circumstances, offering versatility for everyone.

Description of the Court

Volleyball is played on a rectangular court 18 meters long by 9 meters wide, divided into two halves by a net one meter wide and 9.5 meters long. The net is placed at a height of 2.43 meters for males and 2.24 meters for women's play. The court is bounded by lines 8 cm thick.

Player Stances: Medium Position

The player must keep their legs apart at shoulder width, with one foot ahead of the other. The knees should be semi-flexed, hips aligned to the knees, hands at shoulder height, and eyes on the ball.

High and Low Positions

These stances differ in leg extension: in the high position, the legs are extended, while in the low position, they are more flexed.

Movement and Travel Techniques

• Forward: The player must take steps forward in order to locate the ball.
• Lateral: Movement of a leg accompanied by arm movements.
• Crusader (Cross-over): The player must move the leg that is farther from the direction of movement.
• Back: From the starting position, the player moves backward with the leading leg.

Technical Foundations: The Setting (Broadcast)

This is the basic technical foundation of volleyball. It involves hitting the ball with the fingertips without pushing or retaining it. For this reason, it is necessary that the contact with the ball and the fingers is a quick snap to avoid a "double hit" fault. Variations include: Broadcast, high balls, volley later, broadcast back, and volley low.

The Service: Putting the Ball in Play

The service is the act by which the ball is put into play by the player standing in the service zone of the court. Care must be taken when making the throw not to tread on the finish line or pull out of the area. Players must take care in their correct execution path and speed.

World-Class Volleyball Players

• Giba - Best Player (Brazil)
• Dante - Best Finisher (Brazil)
• Falasca - Best Owner (Spain)
• Molto - Best Blocker (Spain)
• Sergio - Best Receiver (Brazil)
• Sergio - Best Libero (Brazil)
• Soto - Best Attack (Puerto Rico)
• Poltavskiy - Best Server (Russia)
• Matey Kaziyski (Bulgaria)
• Leonel Marshall (Cuba)