The Basics of Playing Volleyball

Welcome to MitGlobal Dubai Sports blog. Here we will provide you with all the information you need to know about playing volleyball. In this post, you will find out the basics of playing volleyball, as well as get a basic overview of the team structure and layout.

Volleyball is a fast-paced game of physical contact, agility, strength and preparation. It is an entertaining team game that requires great coordination between players. To enjoy playing volleyball, one needs to understand the rules, positions, and basic skills required.

In this article, we will go through the basics of playing volleyball from team formation, court layout, volleyball rules, to basic offensive and defensive strategies.

Equipment Needed

To play volleyball, players need the necessary equipment such as a volleyball, a net, court lines and outdoor volleyballs for playing in the sand. A volleyball must be regulation size, weigh between 270 and 350 grams and have an inflated circumference of 65-67 cm.

Both indoor and beach volleyball require a net with a height difference of 8 feet for men and 7 feet, 4 inches for women. Traditional court lines must be drawn for indoor volleyball and beach courts must be pre-marked with sand to determine the playing area.

In addition to the net and the volleyball, players should have the appropriate attire and footwear. For the sand court, specially designed turf shoes with an additional sole made of rubber should be worn to prevent ankles from twisting. For indoor courts, regular tennis or volleyball shoes should be used with flat rubber soles.

Rules and Regulations

Volleyball is a game played with six players per side, each of whom follows a set of rules and regulations. Serving is the act of throwing the ball over the net and is necessary to begin the game. Every team must follow a service order, in which every player has a chance to serve. The ball must be hit with the hands or arms, and no open-handed “pushing” or “carrying” is allowed. If the server fails to get the ball over the net on their first try, the second try must be done by another team member.

Scoring follows an alternating pattern, with a point awarded to the team that wins the play. When a team wins a rally, they gain a point, and the position on the court where the ball goes out of bounds will also determine which team serves next. If the team that just scored serves the ball, the teams switch point totals and the team that just lost gets to serve.

Substitutions are allowed during the course of a game. The players on the court can be freely swapped out for any other player on the bench. At any point when the ball is not in play, the teams must stand still in order for the substitution to be made.

Aside from this, each team is only allowed to have 3 consecutive hits before it must be sent over the net, and the players must be careful not to touch the net while the game is being played. When the ball is hit into the net, the other team will receive the point. Lastly, a game of volleyball is completed when one team accumulates 25 points and has a minimum lead of two points.

Strategy and Techniques

The strategy and the use of various techniques are crucial components in the game of volleyball. Knowing when and how to use different strategies and techniques can determine the outcome of a game.

Serving strategies are an important part of volleyball. A successful serve not only scores you points, but also helps to gain an upper hand by putting your opponents in a weaker position. An effective serve must also have a strategic purpose, such as setting up a play for your team by sending the ball to a certain spot on the court. To ensure a successful serve, it is important to use a consistent technique and to focus on accuracy.

Successful passing is also a critical skill in playing volleyball. When passing, you must track the ball and be ready for any potential deflections. The key to successful passing is to stay focused and move your feet quickly to get into position. Knowing which type of pass to use, depending on the trajectory and speed of the ball, is also important.

Spiking is a skill used to hit the ball into the other team’s court. To achieve a successful spike, one must possess good timing and aim. Being able to anticipate the defense’s move and adjust your spike accordingly can be the difference between a good or a great spike. Effective spiking requires both strength and accuracy and the player must be able to accurately direct the power of the spike while staying within the court.

These are just some of the basic strategies and techniques used in volleyball. With practice and repetition, one can become comfortable with these skills and be ready to take on any opponent.