Sports science in English
from A to Z

Volleyball is a team sport in which there shall be no contact with the opponent, as the two teams are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team’s court. Matches are played best of five sets (3 sets in youth tournaments). The first team to win three sets (or 2) wins the match. The first team to score 25 points by a two-point margin is awarded the set. In case of a tie, the deciding set is played as a tie-break, with the rally-point system: the team who is first to score 15 points with an advantage of 2 points wins the match. There is no point limit. Each team is entitled to a maximum of 2 timeouts per set. Each team has 6 players and up to 6 substitutions per set and a substitute can only be substituted in for his/her position. Players are arranged in two lines, 3 in the front court or first-line, 3 in the backcourt or second line.

• To get play started, a team is chosen to serve from behind the end line. The server shall serve from any place on the end line within 8 seconds of the referee’s whistle. Players could not leave their court positions unless the ball has been served (otherwise the team commits a positional fault).
• During the match, players can adjust their tactical dispositions, but the backcourt players can only hit the ball over the net if they jump from behind the attack line. Each player must rotate one position clockwise every time their team wins back service (otherwise the team commits a rotational fault). Then, all players serve the ball in turn.

• Players should hit the ball with their hands or any other part of the body with one precise shot (otherwise they will commit a lifting violation). Each player can hit the ball only once in the same action (otherwise a double contact occurs) and each team is entitled to a maximum of three hits in addition to blocking for returning the ball (otherwise they commit a fault). To block an opponent’s service is forbidden (otherwise it is called an illegal wall).
• While crossing the net, the ball may touch it. Players may not touch the top of the net (net foul) and their feet (or foot) cannot cross over the attack line, penetrating into the opponent’s space over/under the net (invasion). In blocking, a player may touch the ball beyond the net, provided that the ball has been hit by the opponets last.

1. The service begins each rally: the server throws the ball to the opponent’s court at the referee’s whistle. The basic volleyball techniques for serving are as follows.
• Underhand: in the preparation phase, the upper body is slightly tilted forward, the shoulders are parallel to the net. The player hits the ball in the bottom, so that it would travel along a parabola. The player strikes the ball below the waist with the base of the palm, following a wide swing of the arm. The weight is shifted from the rear foot to the front foot as the ball is hit.
• Topspin: the player holds the ball with two hands. He/she tosses the ball high, he/she quickly flexes back the upper limb that will hit the ball. When the ball falls back, the player hits it at its highest point with a wrist span.
2. The bump is the most basic and essential defence skill. Proper handling includes not only preventing the ball from touching the court, but also making it reaches the position where the setter is standing. The player should stand with his/her legs about shoulder width apart and should lean forward a bit. His/her hands are clasped together while holding his/her arms straight to the front. The player uses his/her knees and arms to push through the ball and to get momentum to guide the ball. In the final phase, legs are completely straightened and the weight shifts following the direction of the ball.

3. The set is a manoeuvre in which a player makes contact with the ball in order to set up a spike for another player. The setter spreads his/her feet about shoulder width apart, with the foot closest to the net slightly in front of the other. At the same time, his/her hands should be directly above his/her forehead fingers spread out and elbows should be pointed to the sides. Just before hitting the ball, legs and upper body begin to stretch, the palms are oriented inward in the form of a hollow. The player should hit the ball frontally.
4. The attack aims at handling the ball so that it lands on the opponent’s court and cannot be defended. There are two main attacking techniques:
• The spike after a short run, the attacker jumps off with his/her feet together, trying to get as high as possible in order to hit the ball at its maximum height. The art that hits the ball flexes on the shoulder and extends upwards. The spiker hits the ball with the palm of the hand and la forza scaricata su di esso. His/her strength is given by the rapid movement of the arm from top to bottom as well as by a powerful and coordinated movement of the upper body
• The dlink : it is a soft shot, performed with one hand. The arm extends during the shot and it decelerates one moment before hitting the ball, which will push the ball through the block towards the area of the court the opponent cannot cover.

5. The block is aimed at completely stopping an attack, thus making the ball remain in the opponent’s court. Players can block the ball only if it is hit towards their court. One, two or three players can perform a block, but they must be all front row players. In the starting position feet are parallel, legs are slightly bent and upper torso just leans forward. The blocker holds his/her arms up, elbows out, palms facing the net at about eye level. The player needs to be ready whether the ball crosses accidentally, if a hitter attacks it. When the blocker jumps, he/she spreads his/her fingers and pushes his/her arms up over his/her head about shoulder-width in order to block the ball trajectory.



In volleyball each player will perform different tasks, yet there are four specializations.

• Setter: the setter is the playmaker of the team, as he/she is responsible to run the team’s offence through high and precise passes.
• Middle blocker: middle blockers are responsible to stop the opponent’s offence and to attack. In the back row, middle blockers can also play defence.
• Outside hitter: outside hitters most often attack the balls which are set to the antenna to the left side of the court. They also carry the serve receive responsibility along with the libero.
• Opposite hitter: the opposite hitter can play in all roles, therefore he/she needs to have great attacking, blocking and defensive skills.
• Libero: the libero carries a serve receive and defense responsibility in the back row. He/she can replace any player on the court and most often replaces middle blockers. The libero is allowed to enter/exit the court without the referee’s permission and he/she wears a different colour shirt in the team.