Mini Volleyball Rules

Mini-volleyball is volleyball for kids between the ages of 9 and 13 years old. It is extremely popular in Canada and can be played in small spaces in addition to being taught as a part of a school's physical education program. Mini-volleyball can also be a great way to introduce kids to the game of volleyball. Teaching the game to kids is easy because of its simplified techniques and basic rules.

  1. Team Play

    • Mini-volleyball teams consist of 2 to 4 players and begins with one team electing to serve the ball, which is smaller in size and weighs between 200 and 220 grams. Once the ball is served, the opposing team has up to three opportunities to return it. Like traditional volleyball, mini-volleyball is designed for one team to hit the ball over the net so that it eludes the opposing team and hits the floor. This results in points for the team that hit the ball. Play is often broken up into two sets--with 15 to 25 points being the objective total for each team. A team must win two sets to win the match. However, emphasis is on instruction as opposed to competition in mini-volleyball. Thus, the game is played at various levels. Level 1( the lowest level) teaches young players how to set the ball by allowing up to 2 players to pass the ball underhanded to the setter while level 4 (the highest level) teaches players to begin using parts of their bodies such as their head and elbows to make contact with the ball. Underhanded passing is not permitted at this level.

    Serving Rules

    • The game of mini-volleyball begins with serving the ball over the net, which is approximately 2 meters (roughly 6 feet) in height. (Traditional volleyball nets are closer to 8 feet in height). Serves can be underhanded or overhanded. However, overhanded serving is usually encouraged at level 4. When serving, the ball cannot hit the net or be interrupted by a teammate. Also, players who miss the ball on their first serve get an opportunity to serve again. Additionally, each member of the team must get an opportunity to serve. This is facilitated by allowing players to serve for no more than 3 consecutive points at a time. Servers also change on the subsequent series of serves following the opposing team's serve.

    Player Positions

    • Mini-volleyball teams establish two important positions: setters and passers. Setters occupy the front row, closest to the net, and are in position to guard their territory and strike the ball with force so that it cannot be "rallied" (or hit back) by the opposing team. In contrast, passers occupy the second row, behind the setters, and are in position to hit the ball in a way that allows the setters to hit the ball with force and accuracy. Regardless of a player's position, players cannot change positions once the ball is in play. However, players may move in their vicinity to keep the ball in play.