Volleyball Rules for Children

Volleyball is a fairly easy sport to understand and play, but there are even easier ways to break it down so that children can enjoy it as well. Focusing on the main rules of the game will help them grasp the concept and they can go more in depth as time goes on. The rules for kids will vary from professional rules, but the main concepts are the same.

  1. Teams

    • Each team is made up of six people and there are two teams per game. The net divides the teams. The team lines up with three people in the front row and three people in the back row. Every time a team wins the serve back, they rotate clockwise one position.

    Playing the Ball

    • A ball is put in play by a serve. The server must hit the ball from behind the end line and can hit it either underhand or overhand. Underhand is normally easier for children.

      The other team must hit the ball back to the serving team. This is done by bumping, setting or spiking the ball. Bumping is when a player holds her hands together and hits it off her forearms. Setting is when a player gently taps the ball using her fingertips so it goes high in the air. A spike is when a player forcefully hits the ball over the net with one hand.

      Each team has three hits to get the ball back to the other side. The team who does not return the ball to the opposing side loses the serve and the other team gets a point. Games are normally played to 21 points and it is usually the best of three games that is the overall winner.

    Violations

    • Violations include pushing or throwing the ball instead of hitting it, stepping over the line before a ball is hit on the serve, and reaching over or under the net. Note: You can reach over the net if it is to finish off a spike.

      Hitting the ball out of bounds is also a violation.

      If a team commits one of these violations, then the other team will gain control of serving the ball.