Physical Education and Health: Team Sports

1
Volleyball

Volleyball

At the end of the module, the student is expected to:

1. Understand the history of volleyball
2. Identify the equipment used in playing volleyball
3. Identify the different positions and roles of players in a volleyball team
4. Understand the rules of the game and apply it in an actual simulation

Introduction to Volleyball
Volleyball is played by two teams, each composed of six players who use
their hands and feet. The object of the game is to volley the ball back and
forth over the net which is higher than their heads, with certain limitations,
before it touches the ground in such a way that the opponent cannot return
it.
Volleyball is a game that challenges the participant’s skill by the use of the
hands and agility in jumping, reaching and hitting. The hitting motions that
require the use of proper body control and muscular coordination are very
much demanded.
The game is started by a service and server will be determined by a toss coin
and the winning team may choose to serve on a side of the court. The rules
require not more than three passes among the teammates before returning
the ball to the opponent side. Failure to return the ball within the specific
number of passes results in loss of serve and gain a point. Rally point system
is being used in scoring the game and every fault is equivalent to a point.

History
Volleyball started in 1895 at YMCA, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA by William
J. Morgan. He began experimenting the game with an interior of a basketball,
a playing court and a net that divides the court into two. The game was
inspired by the game tennis, the idea is similar but not with the use of a
racket but instead, hitting the balls by using the arms and hand. This was not
intended to be popular as he named the game, “Mintonette” because the net
divides the court into two.
It was in 1932 when the game became one of the favorite recreational
activities of the Americans when Dr. Alfred S. Halsted, a YMCA professor
suggested the change of mintonette to volleyball since the nature of the game
is volleying the ball or hitting the ball before it touches the ground. In early
1935 to 1960s, many volleyball organizations and associations were created
to improve and develop the game. The game was adopted by YMCA and
across the country that led the different organization to the way of
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 promoting the sport and to the creation of separate set of rules for men and
women. The rules for women was published in 1924.
In the Philippines, the game was introduced to the school curriculum as part
of their physical education program in 1910, with the influence of the
Americans and spearheaded by the YMCA Philippine director Elwood Brown.
The game was then played in the barrios and towns all over the Philippines.
Volleyball offers many advantages. It trains alertness and initiates interest
and enthusiasm to the young and old alike of both genders. This is a safe
game and it is adapted to various age ranges which makes it one of the best
“carry over” sports.
The first Olympic Games in volleyball was held in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan which
also started the recognition of volleyball as one of the medal games in the
historical sports event.

Equipment
The Ball
The ball is spherical in shape, made of flexible leather or synthetic leather
case with bladder inside made of rubber or a similar material. The ball is
made of rubber or a special kind of leather. It has a circumference of 65-67
cm and weight of 260-280 grams. Its color may be a uniform light color or a
combination of colors or the tri-color. The material and color combination of
balls used should comply with FIVB standards.

Volleyball. Retrieved from: https://www.lelong.com.my/beach-volleyball-ball-official-weight-

size-5-pu-indoor-outdoor-leongstore-I5502062-2007-01-Sale-I.htm on March 12, 2017

The Net
The net is made of strong cotton or nylon strings. The strand is 3mm thick.
The net has a mesh of 8cmx8cm. The length is 9.50m and the width is 1m and
0.25m on both ends. The height of the net for men is 2.43m and 2.24 for
women and 2.13 for much younger players.
 Physical Education and Health: Team Sports
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Volleyball

The Volleyball court. Retrieved from: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/basic-

volleyball-rules-and-terminology/ on March 12, 2017

The Post and Antennae

The posts are placed at a distance of 0.50 to 1m outside the sidelines. They
are 2.55m high and preferably adjustable. The post is made of strong wood of
steel tube. The circumference is 8cm and the height is 2.45m. The antennae is
made up of flexible rod fiberglass or similar material, 1.80m long and 10mm
in diameter.

The Court
The game is played in a rectangular court divided into two halves measuring
9m each. The playing court measures 18m sideline and 9m endline. It should
be a flat surface free from obstruction with additional area for the boundary
zone as an extended part of the playing court. The whole endline is the
service area and all lines bounding the court is 5cm.

Rules of the Game

Volleyball is played by two teams of six players each. The objective of the
game is to volley the ball over the net to the opponents’ court. The players
are numbered 1 to 6 and each team has an assigned LIBERO, who can
substitute any player at any time the ball is dead. He/She wears a different
color of uniform from the other members of the team. Player number one
will be the server and will continue to do the service as long as he/she scores.
Rally point system is being used per set and every set consists of 25 points
and/or 3 out of 5 sets will be declared as winner in the match. Each team
shall have a maximum of three touches, except when a touch is made to block

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 a spiked ball and the said touch is not counted and a player is not allowed to
have two consecutive touches.

Scoring:
• The system of scoring is rally point. Every violation of a team, the
opponent scores a point.
• The first team to make 25 points wins a set.
• In case of deuce (24-24 points) a 2-point advantage will be set. The
first team to score 2 points wins the game. If the game ends in another
deuce, another advantage point will be decided and after the 2nd
deuce, the first team to score wins.

Time out
Each team is given a 3-second time out of 2 times per set. Players are not
allowed to go out of the playing court during time-outs.

Substitution
Each player may be substituted. However, the substituted player cannot
reenter the game except in the succeeding set.

Roles and Positions

The volleyball positions in a team are the following;
1. Outside hitter/Left Wing Spiker – the one responsible of receiving the
serve along with the libero. This player goes for the ball that the setter
sends to the left side of the court. After the serve, they usually take the left
front position. Outside hitters counter the setters’ offensive shots by
running to strike the balls inside around the middle blocker. This position
requires great all-around skills as they can be placed in both the front and
back row. They possess the skills to pass, attack, block, serve and defend.
2. Right side hitter/Right Wing Spiker – almost similar with the outside
hitter position, the right side hitter is also responsible for passing,
attacking, blocking, serving and defense. However, this position usually
goes for the right front playing position.
3. Opposite hitter/Attacker – the player who scores the most points in the
team that do not have the responsibility to pass the ball. However, they
position themselves behind passers on the rotation and they receive the
ball from the libero and outside hitters while in the left front, right front
or right back position. The opposite hitter must also focus on defensive
play such as blocking the opponent team’s outside hitter in the front row.
4. Setter – dubbed as the playmaker of the team. This role’s main
responsibility is running the offense and building up the opportunities for
scoring more points. This player can be in the front and back row so they
need to be able to block, serve and defend. This position plays against the
opposing team’s outside hitter and is in charge of blocking their hits. The
setter is usually playing in the right front or right back position.
5. Middle blocker – this player’s main responsibility is stopping or blocking
the opposing player’s offense play. This position blocks the ball or allows
 Physical Education and Health: Team Sports
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Volleyball

the team to dig the ball up again. They usually play against the middle
hitters or wing hitters from the opposing team.
6. Libero – The Libero can change any player of his team anytime when the
ball is dead. However, he cannot spike or block the ball in front court. He
can only block, set or smash the ball at the back court, since he is the most
defensive player of the team.

References:
Talavara-Gonzales, Carolina. MAPEH in Action 1. Manila: Rex Book Store.
2008.
Guide to Volleyball Basics. Retrieved from: https://www.teamusa.org/-
/media/USA_Volleyball/Documents/Resources/Guide-to-Volleyball-
Basics-
2006.pdf?la=en&hash=C9B3F06AF55063577A62967BA518A318582
A35CA on April 15, 2018
Volleyball Study Guide. Retrieved from:
http://www.edgar.k12.wi.us/faculty/akollmansberger/volleyball%2
0study%20guide.pdf on April 15, 2018
FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2017-2020. Retrieved from:
http://www.fivb.org/EN/Refereeing-Rules/documents/FIVB-
Volleyball_Rules_2017-2020-EN-v04.pdf on April 15, 2018
Videos
Volleyball Rules. Retrieved from: https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/learn-to-
play-volley-ball/learn-volleyball-rules on April 15, 2018
The essential volleyball equipment. Retrieved from:
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/learn-to-play-volley-ball/the-basic-
equipment on April 15, 2018
Basic rule violations. Retrieved from:
https://www.sikana.tv/en/sport/learn-to-play-volley-ball/fouls-and-
violations on April 15, 2018

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