Volleyball is a popular team sport played between two teams of six players each, typically on an indoor court divided by a net. The objective is to score points by sending the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court in a way that it cannot be returned. Here are key features of volleyball:
- Teams: Each team consists of six players on the court at a time, with three players positioned in the front row and three in the back row.
- Court: The game is played on a rectangular court with a net running across the middle. The court is divided into two equal halves, and each team has its side.
- Scoring: Points are scored when a team successfully lands the ball in the opponent’s court, whether by a spike, block, or other legal means. The team that wins a rally scores a point and earns the right to serve the ball.
- Rotation: Players rotate positions in a clockwise direction after winning the right to serve. This ensures that each player gets an opportunity to play in both the front and back rows.
- Serve: The game begins with a serve from behind the back boundary line. The server hits the ball over the net into the opponent’s court, aiming to initiate the rally.
- Volleying: Teams use a combination of passes, sets, and spikes to control and send the ball over the net. The ball must clear the net and land within the opponent’s court boundaries.
- Defense: The defending team aims to block and dig the ball to prevent it from landing in their court. A block is an attempt to stop a spiked ball at the net, while a dig is a defensive move to keep the ball in play.
- Libero: In each team, there is a specialized player known as the libero who wears a different color jersey. The libero is a defensive specialist and can substitute for any back-row player without prior notice to the officials.
Volleyball is played at various levels, from recreational and school competitions to international tournaments, including the Olympic Games. It requires a combination of skills such as teamwork, communication, agility, and precise ball control. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is the global governing body for the sport.