Sport
Volleyball
- players
- 2–12
- minutes
- 60
- years
- 6+
In the box
A ball, a net
Official rules (PDF, federation's site)
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- DexterityTeam-BasedReal-Time
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
Two teams of six, on either side of a net, try to make the ball land in the opposing court, with three touches at most and never two in a row by the same player. Every rally won scores a point, and the team that wins it serves; a set is won at 25 points with a two-point lead, the fifth at 15. The match is the best of five sets, or of three in short formats.
The rules, step by step
Setup
2 teams of 6, Net at 2.43 m (men), 2 per side in beach
- Two teams of six, separated by a net at 2.43 metres for men and 2.24 for women.
- In beach volleyball, two players per side on a smaller court.
How to play
3 touches at most, Never 2 in a row, Rotation on serve
- Each team has three touches to return the ball, not counting the block.
- The same player may not touch the ball twice in a row.
- The team that wins the rally scores the point and serves, rotating one position.
Scoring
1 point per rally, Sets to 25 points, 5th set to 15
- Each rally won scores a point, whoever served.
- A set is won at 25 points, with a two-point lead.
- The fifth set, the tie-break, is played to 15 points, still with a two-point lead.
- In beach volleyball, sets are played to 21 points and the third to 15.
End of the game
Best of 5 sets, Or 3 in short formats
- The match is best of five sets, or best of three in short formats.
Going further
Variants · Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Variants
Format
Best of 3 sets
Best of 5 sets
choose them when you start a game: the scorer adapts
Frequently asked questions
How many touches per team?
Three at most before returning the ball over the net, and the same player may not touch it twice in a row (except on the block).
How do you score?
Rally-point scoring: every rally won gives a point, serve included. A set is played to 25 points with a two-point lead; the fifth set to 15.
What is rotation?
When a team wins back the serve, its players rotate one position clockwise. Each player thus goes through every zone, serving included.
Who is the libero?
A defensive specialist in a different shirt, who substitutes freely in the back row but may neither attack above the net nor serve. They steady the reception.
How many sets to win?
Three sets (best of five).