History: This was How Volleyball was Introduced

– Facts and Information about the Game

The game of volleyball, originally called “mintonette,” was invented in 1895 by
William G. Morgan after the invention of basketball only four years before. Morgan,
a graduate of the Springfield College of the YMCA, designed the game to be a
combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball.

The first volleyball net, borrowed from tennis, was only 6’6 ″ high (though you need
to remember that the average American was shorter in the nineteenth century).

The offensive style of setting and spiking was first demonstrated in the Philippines
in 1916. Over the years that followed, it became clear that standard rules were
needed for tournament play, and thus the USVBA (United States Volleyball
Association) was formed in 1928.

Officials & Their Duties in Volleyball

Professional officiating ensures any game is played fairly and according to the rules. In volleyball,
officials also ensure points are earned properly and awarded when deserved. Those given the title of
official during a volleyball game include the referees, the scorekeeper, assistant scorekeeper, or libero
tracker, and the line judges.

Volleyball Hand Signals

Professional officiating ensures any game is played fairly and according to the rules. In volleyball,
officials also ensure points are earned properly and awarded when deserved. Those given the title of
official during a volleyball game include the referees, the scorekeeper, assistant scorekeeper, or libero
tracker, and the line judges.

Referees
Find the referee at the center of the court, dressed in black and white stripes. A referee’s duties
include signaling when a rally begins and ends. The referee is also responsible for officially
recognizing team requests, substitutions, time-outs and communicating with the coaches at the
appropriate times. Multiple referees may oversee a match.

Scorekeeper

Before play begins, the scorekeeper records team and player information. Once the game begins,
scorekeepers not only track points, but also player substitutions, sanctions and time-outs. The
scorekeeper keeps an eye on the individual serving the ball to track the rotation and notify referees of
potential lapses. At the close of the game, the scorekeeper records the final score of the game.

Assistant Scorekeeper
The assistant scorekeeper or libero tracker is responsible for updating the scoreboard and keeping an
eye on the libero. The libero tracking duty was added in 1999. This individual records changes in the
libero rotation, notifying referees when problems occur in the rotation.

Line Judges

There are usually two line judges, one at either end of the court and in opposite corners. Line judges
work with the referees, signaling to assist in making judgment calls. These officials often use flags to
signal when a ball is in or out, hits the antennae of the net, or when the server commits a foot fault, or
steps outside the line, as they serve.

Timer and Umpire

The umpire assists the referee in his duties throughout the game, particularly when it comes to play
around the net and center line. He stands opposite the referee, outside the sideline boundary and
back from the standard. The timer sits with the scorer and ensures the clock is working properly. He
takes direction from the referees as to when to start and stop play. The timer times pre-match
warmups as well as the three-minute intermissions between games. The timer is also expected to give
an audio signal when the improper player has served or another rule infraction occurs.

Volleyball Court with measurement

Basic Volleyball Rules for
Playing the Game
 6 players on a team, 3 on the front row and 3 on the back row

 Maximum of three hits per side

 Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit)

 Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve

 A ball hitting a boundary line is “in”

 A ball is “out” if it hits…

an antennae,

the floor completely outside the court,

any of the net or cables outside the antennae,

the referee stand or pole,

the ceiling above a nonplayable area

 It is legal to contact the ball with any part of a players body

 It is illegal to catch, hold, or throw the ball

 If two or more players contact the ball at the same time, it is considered one play
and either player involved may make the next contact (provided the next contact
isn’t the teams 4th hit)

 A player can not block or attack a serve from on or inside the 10 foot line

 After the serve, front line players may switch positions at the net

 At higher competition, the officiating crew may be made up of two refs, line judges,
scorer, and an assistant scorer