Two Different Ways to Score in a Volleyball Game

Volleyball can be scored in either traditional scoring or rally scoring. Rally scoring means a point is earned on every volley, while traditional scoring requires the teams to have served that volley in order to score a point. Players can gain points in one of two general ways -- by hitting a winning shot or by their opponents making a mistake.

  1. Out of Bounds

    • If a team hits the ball out of bounds, the other team earns a point in the case of rally scoring. For traditional scoring, the team only gets a point if it served. An out-of-bounds serve results in the ball going to the other team. If a ball ricochets off a player and out of bounds, the other team earns a point.

    Into the Net

    • If a player hits the ball into the net and the ball drops to the floor, the other team scores a point. A ball can be played off the net, but a player may not touch the net or cross underneath it. If a player serves the ball into the net, the serve goes to the other team.

    Four Hits

    • If a team hits the volleyball more than three times on any possession, the other team earns a point. An exception is made in the case of a block, which does not count as a hit. If a team blocks a spike, it can proceed to register three hits on the ball.

    On the Floor

    • If a team hits the ball to the other side of the net and the ball drops to the floor in bounds, the team that hit the ball scores a point. This is true whether or not the other team hits the ball at all.