Basic Volleyball Rules and Statistics

Volleyball is a popular sport worldwide, contested everywhere from public school gymnasiums to the Summer Olympic Games. It's a game that sports-minded people can appreciate, because the rules are simple and it promotes good teamwork. For those curious about the difference between a dig and a kill, learning about the sport's rules, terminology and statistics takes very little time.

  1. Scoring

    • Standard volleyball uses a rally scoring system, which awards a point on each rally. Teams earn a point if the ball successfully bounces within the court on the opposing side of the net. Teams are also awarded a point if the opposing team hits a ball that lands outside the court or is unable to return the ball using the maximum three hits allowed. The receiving team earns a point if a serve is hit long, wide or into the net. The first team to reach 25 points wins the set, except when playing a fifth and deciding set, in which case the teams play to 15 points.

    Basic Rules

    • A serve is considered illegal if any part of the server comes in contact with the court before he hits the volleyball. Players on the receiving team are not allowed to field the serve with a set or smash; they must use a bump. Play continues in the event that the ball clips the net. Players are allowed to make a play on a ball that is out of bounds, but the ball must cross the net between the two end posts used to hold the net in place. If a player makes contact with the net or crosses the net line with any part of his body, he is called for a net violation and the opposing team is given the point.

    Statistics

    • In addition to the score, volleyball produces several statistics that make it easier to see where certain players' strengths lie. An "ace" is awarded to a server that successfully hits the opposing team's court without the ball being played. A "block" occurs when a defensive player gets her hands in front of an opponent's kill attempt, knocking the ball to the floor. A "dig" is scored when a defensive player gets a hand on a kill or drop shot attempt just before it hits the floor and keeps the ball alive. A "kill" is scored when a player successfully smashes the ball into the opposing court for a point.