Official Volleyball Rules

Section 1: Teams

A team consists of six players on the court at one time. A minimum of four players (at least two males and two females) must be present during play. A team with less than the required number of players must forfeit all games – however, teams are encouraged to play for fun regardless of forfeiture.
Teams are allotted up to five minutes maximum after the scheduled start time to have sufficient players to play the match:
If a sufficient number of players are not present within five minutes of the start time, the team must forfeit the first match. If a sufficient number of players are not present within twenty minutes of the start time, the team must forfeit the second match. If a sufficient number of players are not present within thirty minutes of the start time, the team must forfeit all three matches.
*If BOTH teams have an insufficient number of players to start the match, the teams may decide to play as usual. NOTE: Once this decision has been made it will continue for ALL THREE matches (regardless if a team later has a sufficient number of players).

Section 2: Set-up

Attack Line
A solid (uninterrupted) line is drawn in each team court between the sidelines, parallel to the center line. The edge of the attack line farthest from the center line measures 3 meters (9 feet, 10 inches) from the axis of the center line. The extension of the attack lines is marked with a solid interrupted line outside the court: 20-centimeter break, 15-centimeter line (8-inch break, 6-inch line) repeated five times to a total length of 1.75 meters (70 inches).

Rotation Order
Rotation order as determined by the starting lineup must be maintained throughout the set. Number of Players To begin a rally, six players per team must be on the court. Three players are front-row players and occupy position Nos. 4 (left player), 3 (center player) and 2 (right player). The other three are back-row players, occupying position Nos. 5 (left player), 6 (center player) and 1 (right player).
Rotation When the receiving team gains the right to serve by winning a rally, its players must rotate one position clockwise (player in position No. 2 rotates to position No. 1 to serve; player in position No. 1 rotates to position No. 6, etc.)

Positions

At the time the ball is contacted for the serve, each team must be completely within its own team court (except the server in position No. 1 on the serving team) in two rows of three players. In the front or back row, the right-side player must have at least part of one foot closer to the right sideline than the feet of the center player in the corresponding row, and the left-side player must have at least part of one foot closer to the left sideline than the feet of the center player in the corresponding row. Each front-row player must have at least part of one foot closer to the center line than the feet of the corresponding back-row player.
The position of players is judged according to the location of their feet in contact with the team court at the time the ball is contacted for service. An airborne player is considered to retain the status or position of the foot last in contact with the floor. The service zone is not considered to be a part of the court. After the ball is contacted for service, players may move from their respective positions.
A position fault is penalized with a loss of rally, and the players are placed in their correct positions (no point is awarded to either team).

Section 3: Game Play

Accident or Injury
If a serious accident occurs while the ball is in play, stop play immediately. The rally is replayed.

Serving:
The service is the act of putting the ball into play by the player in position No. 1 who hits the ball with one hand (open or closed) or any part of one arm in an effort to direct the ball into the opponent’s team court from the service zone.
First Service in a Set:
Unless both teams agree on an alternative method to decide first serve, a best 2-of-3 match of “paper, rock, scissors” will decide which team will serve first. The other sets start with service by the team that did not serve first in the previous set.

Contacting the Ball

Maximum of Three Team Hits:
Each team is allowed a maximum of three successive hits of the ball (in addition to blocking) in order to return the ball to the opponent.
Contacted Ball:
A player who contacts the ball, or is contacted by the ball other than during blocking action, is considered to have played the ball, and such action constitutes a team hit. If the ball is clearly touched only by a player’s hair, it is not considered a contact by that player.

Consecutive Contacts:

A player may not contact the ball with two separate and consecutive motions
Characteristics of the Hit:
Contact of Ball with the Body The ball may contact any part of the body.
Caught or Thrown Ball:
The ball must be hit cleanly and not caught or thrown. Prolonged contact with the ball is a fault. The ball can rebound in any direction.
Successive Contacts:
During blocking or during the team’s first hit, successive contacts with various parts of the player’s body are permitted in a single attempt to play the ball. Prolonged contact is a fault in these actions.
During any other team hit, contacting the ball more than once with any part of the body, without an intervening contact by another player, is a fault.

Simultaneous Contact

Simultaneous Contacts by a Player:
The ball may contact any number of parts of the body providing such contacts are simultaneous and there is no prolonged contact.
Simultaneous Contacts by Opponents:
After simultaneous contact by opponents, a team has the right to three additional contacts. If one team has had three legal contacts and then participates in a simultaneous touch of the ball above the net with the opponents, it is considered a fourth team contact and a fault.
After simultaneous contact by opponents, if the ball lands outside a boundary line, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net. If, after a simultaneous contact between opponents, the ball rolls along the net and contacts an antenna, this is a double fault, both teams having caused the ball to touch the antenna. The rally is replayed.
A joust occurs when players of opposing teams cause the ball to come to rest above the net through simultaneous contact. A joust is not a fault, and play continues as if the contact was instantaneous.
Ball Played Simultaneously by Teammates:
When two or more teammates contact the ball simultaneously, it is counted as one contact. Any player may play the next ball if the simultaneous contact is not the third team hit.

Attack-Hit

An attack-hit is an action, other than a block or a serve, that directs the ball toward the opponent. An attack-hit is completed the instant the ball completely crosses the vertical plane of the net or is touched by an opponent.
Attacking the Serve:
It is illegal for a player to complete an attack-hit on the opponent’s service while the ball is in the front zone and entirely above the top of the net.
Attacking Over Opponent’s Team Court:
A player cannot initiate an attack-hit while the ball is completely on the opponent’s side of the net. If the initial contact with the ball is above the attacker’s side of the net and the follow-through causes the attacker’s hand or arm to cross the net without contacting an opponent or the net, this action does not constitute a fault.
Back-Row Attacker:
A back-row player who is in the front zone may not complete an attack-hit if, at contact, the ball is entirely above the top of the net. The contact does not become illegal until the attack-hit is complete.
A back-row player may complete an attack-hit if: At takeoff, the player’s feet have neither touched nor crossed the attack line or its indefinite extension (After the attack-hit, the player may land within the front zone); or At the moment of contact, any part of the ball is below the top of the net.
If a back-row player illegally attacks the ball into an opposing back-row blocker (including simultaneous contact), it is a double fault.

Blocking

Blocking is the action of a player(s) close to the net that deflects the ball coming from the opponent by reaching higher than the top of the net. A blocked ball is considered to have crossed the net. The blocking action ends when the blocking player makes a subsequent attempt to play the ball. Note: If a player near the net is reaching above the height of the net and the opponents legally cause the ball to contact her, the player is considered to be a blocker. A back-row player attempting to play a ball in the crossing space above the net is considered an illegal blocker if the ball is attacked or blocked by an opponent into the back-row player while the player is reaching above the height of the net (including simultaneous contact).
Block Attempt:
A block attempt is the action of blocking without touching the ball. An attempt to block does not constitute a block. Completed Block: A block is completed when the ball is touched by a blocker. Only front-row players are permitted to complete a block. Collective Block: A collective block is one executed by more than one blocker in close proximity. It is completed when one of the players touches the ball. It is a blocking fault if a back-row player participates in a completed collective block.
Blocking and Team Hits:
A block contact is not counted as a team hit. After a block contact, a team is entitled to three hits to return the ball to the opponents. The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the player who blocked the ball.
Blocking Contact:
Multiple contacts of the ball by a player(s) participating in a block are legal during one attempt to deflect the ball. Multiple contacts of the ball during a block are considered a single contact, even though the ball may make multiple contacts with one or more players of the block. These contacts may occur with any part of the body. Block within the Opponent’s Space.
In blocking, a player may place hands and arms beyond the net inside the antennas provided this action does not interfere with the opponent’s play. Blockers may reach across the plane of the net outside the antenna, but may not contact the ball over the opponent’s team area. If contact of the ball over the opponent’s team area is made while any part of the blocker or member of a collective block is outside the antenna across the plane of the net, the blocker has committed a fault. Blocking the ball across the net above the opponent’s team area is legal provided no contact is made with the opponent and: The block is made after the opponent has executed an attackhit (simultaneous contact with the attack-hit is a blocking fault); The block is made after the opponents have completed their three hits; The block is made after the opponents have hit the ball in such a manner that the ball would clearly cross the net if not contacted by a player and no member of the attacking team is in a position to make a legal play on the ball; or The ball is falling near the net and no member of the attacking team can make a play on it.
Ball Contacting Top of Net and Block:
If the ball touches the net and a blocker who is reaching above the net and then rebounds to the attacker’s side of the net, the attacker’s team has the right to three team hits.
Blocking the Serve:
Blocking a served ball is illegal.

Winning Score

Nondeciding Sets:
For each nondeciding set, a team that scores 25 points and has at least a twopoint advantage over the opponent wins that set. If the score is tied 24-24, play continues until one team has a lead of two points (up to a maximum of 27 points).
Ball Crossing the Net:
The crossing space is the part of the vertical plane of the net limited at the sides by each antenna and its imaginary extension, and by the ceiling. A ball sent to the opponent’s playing area must pass over the net within the crossing space.
A ball that has crossed the net plane to the opponent’s free zone over or outside the antenna after a team’s first contact or block may be played back to a teammate, provided (1) a center line fault is not committed (2) the pursuing player does not cross under the net, net cable or referee platform; and (3) the ball, when retrieved, crosses the net plane over or outside the antenna on the same side of the court. The opponent(s) may not prevent this action.
The ball is out of play when it completely crosses the space under the net.
Ball Touching the Net:
The ball may touch the net while crossing it. A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the three team hits. If the ball touches the net after a team’s third hit and does not cross the net, the first referee should not stop play until the ball is contacted for the fourth time or has touched the playing surface. If the ball rips the mesh of the net or tears it down, the rally is canceled and replayed.
Ball Penetrating the Vertical Plane:
A ball penetrating the vertical plane of the net over or below the net may be returned to a team’s side by a player on that team provided the ball has not completely crossed the vertical plane of the net when such contact is made. Once the ball penetrates the vertical plane above the net, opponents have an equal right to play the ball.
It is not a fault to penetrate into the opponents’ space under the net, provided that this does not interfere with the opponents’ play. If the ball inadvertently contacts an opponent while part of the ball is in the plane below the net, the ball is out of play and it is not considered to be a fault by the opponents.
It is a fault to contact the ball or an opponent above or below the net over the opponent’s team area before or during the opponent’s attack-hit.
It is a fault to intentionally touch the ball while it is in the body of the net on the opponent’s side.
Player Contact with Net or Antennas:
Contact with the net by a player is not a fault, unless it is made during an action of playing the ball, or it interferes with the play. Playing the ball may include actions in which the player(s) does not actually touch the ball. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net or antenna to contact a player, no fault is committed. A player may touch a post, a rope or any other object outside the total length of the net provided this contact does not interfere with the play or is not used as a means of support while playing the ball.
Simultaneous Contact with the Net by Opponents:
If opponents commit a net fault simultaneously, it is a double fault and the rally is replayed.
Interference:
It is a fault to interfere with an opponent. Interference is contact or an apprehension of potential contact that hinders an opponent’s play on the ball. Inadvertent contact that does not prevent an opponent from making a play does not constitute interference
Crossing the Center Line:
ncroachment into the opponent’s court with the foot, feet or hand(s) is permitted, provided some part of the encroaching extremity remains in contact with or directly above the center line, and there is no interference with opponents. It is not a fault to contact the opponent’s team court with the hair.
Encroachment into the opponent’s court with any part(s) of the body is permitted, provided some part of the body remains either in contact with or directly above the center line, and there is no interference with opponents. In addition, completely crossing the center line with the foot, feet or hands, or encroachment with other body parts must not present a safety hazard to opponents. It is not a fault to cross the center line after the ball is out of play. It is not a fault to cross the extension of the center line outside the boundaries of the court and enter the opponent’s free zone, provided there is no interference with opponents.
Ball “In”:
The ball is “in” when it touches the floor of the playing court, including the boundary lines.
Ball “Out”:
The ball is “out” when: It strikes the floor and no part of the ball contacts either a boundary line or the area within the boundary lines; It contacts a floor/wall obstruction outside the court, a wall or a person out of play It contacts any object above a nonplaying area; It contacts an antenna, the net outside an antenna, the net post, or any supporting apparatus for the net or net post;

Section 4: Playing Faults and Consequences

Any playing action contrary to the rules is a playing fault.

Scoring

The consequence of a fault is a loss of rally. The opponent of the team committing the fault wins the rally and scores a point. If the serving team wins the rally, it scores a point and continues to serve. If the receiving team wins the rally, it scores a point and gains the right to serve; its players must rotate one position clockwise before serving.
The net fault rule has been modified in recent years to provide some leniency regarding net contact. Contacting the net while playing the ball is still a fault. Attackers and blockers are considered to be playing the ball from the time they initiate their jumping action until they return to the floor. Moving sideways into position to block or turning away after completing the blocking or attacking motion is not considered playing the ball. If no interference occurred, the contact is not a fault. To determine interference, use criteria such as whether the contact was distracting to the next player(s) involved in the play or whether the contact affected the integrity of the net so significantly that it influenced the result of the play.

Serving Faults - Loss of Rally:
The serving team loses the rally (unless there is a position fault by the receiving team) when one of the following serving faults occurs: The ball does not cross the net; The ball passes under the net; The ball touches an antenna or does not pass over the net completely between the antennas or their indefinite extensions; The ball touches a player on the serving team or any object except the net before entering the opponent’s team court; The ball lands “out” or the ball passes over an individual or collective screen.
If a serving fault occurs and the opposing team commits a position fault at the moment of a legal service, the serving team wins the rally and scores a point.
Illegal Service:
The service is illegal when the player (server): Serves while in contact with the court (end line included) or with the floor outside the service zone Throws or pushes the ball for service; Serves with two hands or arms or a body part other than the hand or arm; Is not in the correct rotation order at the time of service. Fails to toss or release the ball before it is hit for service; Tosses the ball for service and either allows the ball to drop to the floor or catches it without making contact for service; or Fails to contact the ball for service within eight seconds after the first referee’s authorization for service. If an illegal service occurs and the opposing team commits a position fault at the moment of service, the serving team is penalized with a loss of rally.
Rotation Fault:
A rotation fault is committed when the service is not made according to the rotation order. When it is discovered that a wrong player is about to serve the ball, the scorekeeper must wait until the ball has been contacted for service, then use an audible device or stop play in any manner possible.
If the team at fault is serving, the rotation fault is penalized with a loss of rally, and the players are placed in their correct positions. All points scored by the team at fault after the rotation fault are canceled.
If the team at fault has just lost a rally and discovery is made before the opponents have served, all points scored after the rotation fault by the offending team are cancelled. No additional point is scored by the team in possession. The service order is corrected.
If the opposing team has served before the rotation fault is discovered, there is no cancellation of points for the offending team. The service order is corrected. If, during one term of service by a team, there are two different servers—the first one an illegal server and the second the correct server—and the error is discovered before a serve by the opponents, the offending team loses all points scored by the illegal server and all points scored by the subsequent legal server during that term of service. The team is also penalized with a loss of rally. If the correct server is the first server and is followed by an illegal server, points scored by the correct server are not cancelled. Any points scored by the illegal server are cancelled, and the team is penalized with a loss of rally. 13.2.3.7 If it is not possible to determine when the rotation fault occurred and the team at fault is still serving, the last point in that term of service is removed, and the team at fault is penalized with a loss of rally.
Screening:
Players on the serving team must not take action to prevent receiving team players from seeing the contact of the serve and/ or the path of the ball. Potentially, screens exist when the ball is served over a player on the serving team who raises or waves arms, jumps or moves sideways when the service is being executed. A sanction may be assessed for distracting or moving sideways to prevent an opponent from seeing the serve even if the ball is not served over that player. Potentially, screens exist when a group of two or more teammates stand in close proximity and the ball is served over them. The factors to be weighed when judging whether a screen has been committed are: Relative positions of the players on the serving team; Path of the serve; Speed of the serve; and Trajectory of the serve
If the serving team players are positioned close to each other and a serve that is fast and has a low trajectory passes over these players, the probability is greater that a screen has been committed. There is a lower probability that a screen has been committed if the players are not positioned close to each other or are attempting to prevent the screen (e.g., bending over); the path of the serve is not over the players; the speed of the serve is slow; or the trajectory of the serve is high.

Faults in Playing the Ball

Four Hits:
It is a fault when a team contacts the ball four times before returning it to the opponents.
Assisted Hit:
No player may take support from a teammate in order to reach the ball. It is legal for a player to stop or hold a teammate who is not making a play on the ball in order to prevent a fault. A player may not play the ball while gaining support from the pole, cable, net supports or referee’s platform. It is not a fault to play the ball while supported by any other object (for example, chair, team bench, bleacher or wall) if a body part is in contact with the playing surface.
Prolonged Contact:
It is a fault when a player does not hit the ball cleanly.
Double Contact:
It is a fault when a player contacts the ball twice in succession, or the ball contacts various parts of the body successively.
Illegal Hit:
It is a fault when a player in a nonplaying area plays the ball.
End of Match:
After the whistle and signal indicating the end of a match, the players of each team line up on their respective end lines. When both teams are in position, the first referee whistles and the players move to the center of the court to shake hands with the opponents.

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