Overview
Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan as a way to keep middle-aged men in shape. In 1928, the United States Volleyball Association was formed. Today, types of volleyball range from beach to indoor, and the sport is most commonly played by women. Currently, more than 46 million people in the United States play volleyball. The six basic skills necessary to play volleyball are serve, pass, set, hit, block, and dig. These skills can be mastered through repetitive practice as well as various drills.
There are some basic rules to women’s indoor volleyball: each team consists of six players; three in the front row and three in the back row. There are four main positions: outside hitter, middle hitter, setter, and libero. Traditionally, the outside and middle hitters block and hit, the setters set, and the libero is a defensive specialist and does most of the digging. Play begins by one player serving the ball, and the other team must get the ball back over the net within the boundary lines in three hits or less, without the ball touching the ground. A player may not hit the ball twice in a row, jump from behind the ten foot line, or touch the net at any time. Games are to 25 points, and the team must win by at least 2. In a set, there are three games and the team which won two of the games is the overall winner.
Levels of indoor volleyball for girls are varsity and junior varsity for high school, college, intramural, club, junior league, junior olympics, and olympics. For each of these levels, there are various teams so that a player can best match their level of play. To play indoor volleyball, some special equipment is necessary. To set up the net there must be two poles, a net, a crank and boundary antennas. There also must be volleyballs of the proper size depending on the level of play, and knee pads must be worn. Special volleyball shoes are often worn, as well as ankle guards to protect against injuries. Usually, spandex shorts and high socks are part of a team's uniform.
There are some basic rules to women’s indoor volleyball: each team consists of six players; three in the front row and three in the back row. There are four main positions: outside hitter, middle hitter, setter, and libero. Traditionally, the outside and middle hitters block and hit, the setters set, and the libero is a defensive specialist and does most of the digging. Play begins by one player serving the ball, and the other team must get the ball back over the net within the boundary lines in three hits or less, without the ball touching the ground. A player may not hit the ball twice in a row, jump from behind the ten foot line, or touch the net at any time. Games are to 25 points, and the team must win by at least 2. In a set, there are three games and the team which won two of the games is the overall winner.
Levels of indoor volleyball for girls are varsity and junior varsity for high school, college, intramural, club, junior league, junior olympics, and olympics. For each of these levels, there are various teams so that a player can best match their level of play. To play indoor volleyball, some special equipment is necessary. To set up the net there must be two poles, a net, a crank and boundary antennas. There also must be volleyballs of the proper size depending on the level of play, and knee pads must be worn. Special volleyball shoes are often worn, as well as ankle guards to protect against injuries. Usually, spandex shorts and high socks are part of a team's uniform.