Rules for Power Volleyball

Power volleyball was developed by the Japanese and is played on a standard volleyball court (59 feet long by 30 feet wide) using a standard volleyball net (roughly 7 feet, 11 inches high). While traditional volleyball is usually played outdoors, power volleyball is played indoors with players hitting the ball with more force. Power volleyball and traditional volleyball share many attributes, however power volleyball has rules regarding play and players that differ greatly from traditional volleyball.

  1. Player Positions

    • In power volleyball, players must rotate clockwise at the beginning of a new serve. Unlike mini-volleyball, which has a smaller net and ball and is usually played by children and beginning players, power volleyball players may move from their positions to contact the ball once it has been served. In both volleyball and power volleyball, the 3-meter line is 3 meters, or 10 feet, from both sides of the net. The area behind this line is considered the back row. Players serve the ball from the farthest end of the back row, near the end of the court and change positions after a rotation. In power volleyball, back row players may spike the ball behind the 3-meter line. Player substitutions are permitted; however, players must take the position of the player replaced. Substitutions can only occur when play has been stopped or at the beginning of a new serve. Finally, players may keep the ball in play from outside their court provided they do not cross the center line of the court.

    Serving

    • Servers in power volleyball may serve along any point of the back line. When serving, players must remain behind the line and the ball cannot touch the ceiling. In traditional volleyball, served balls cannot touch the net. However, power volleyball rules allow servers to hit the net with the ball. In this instance, the ball is considered to be "in play" and players can begin battling to keep the ball in play. It is equally important that rotations are adhered to and that servers do not serve out of turn, as this will result in points for the opposing team. When defending against the serve, players cannot block it. Instead, they may use their fingertips to return the serve.

    Net Play

    • At no point during the game can a player make contact with the net as this results in a point for the opposing team. Two important tactics of power volleyball are the spike and the block. Both are allowed once half of the ball crosses the net after a serve. In fact, only during spiking or blocking is a player's hand allowed to cross the net. To be considered a blocker, a player must rise above the net to make contact with the ball. Should a player make contact with the ball below the net, this would result in the "first team hit" for his team. A ball cannot be hit more than three times before going over the net.