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Volleyball has been known to be one of those sports that is about as close to an aerobic workout as possible. Maybe you have even gone as far as to consider coaching volleyball as an option the first thing that you will want to cover when it comes to volleyball is the basic components that make up the game. This will ensure that everyone has a great time while also getting a vigorous workout. Like many other sports, volleyball has been around for a long time. Volleyball was first heard of in 1895 in Massachusetts by a YMCA physical director. Of course it was not dubbed as volleyball initially but rather was known as a combination of sorts, sort of a cross between handball and tennis known as Mintonette. The purpose at first was to help keep players in shape during off season. Ironically, when the game was first introduced, believe it or not players were allowed to throw the ball over the net. Around 1896 some formal rules were introduced and those rules are still intact today in the well known game of volleyball.

The basics of volleyball are as follows, you will need two teams made up of six players on each team. This would mean six players on each side of the net. Further on each side of the net there will be a front row of three and a back row of three. The game begins with the person in the back row and far right corner serving first. The opponents have three attempts to get the ball over the net and the other team scores points if the ball goes out of bounds, does not make it over the net or falls onto the court. There is a rotation with volleyball and the players as each time the control of the ball changes sides the players will rotate one position to the right. This always changes the server and allows players to have an opportunity to hit the ball from all locations.

Volleyball is really one of the simpler games to learn. It can be played both indoor and out. Some people play it year round and it is a great way to stay in shape. Some senior citizens even play it in the pool for an easy form of exercise. Often people make the game intense but others play it for leisure activity. It is no wonder why volleyball has gained such popularity throughout the years and now is even recognized in the World Olympics.

The USA Volleyball Association sets standards for the playing area that is officially used for volleyball play. Both indoor and outdoor courts are to be 60×30 and there should be a 10-foot area surrounding the court.

Depending on who is playing the game will depend on the height of the net. For men, co-ed mixed and outdoor: 7 feet, 11-5/8 inches, for women, boys 14 and younger, and reversed mixed: 7 feet, 4-1/8 inches, for boys 12 and younger is 7 feet, and for girls 10 and younger is 6 feet, 6 inches.

Volleyball originated in United States and is more than hundred years old. Volleyball is an extremely popular sport in United States and has gained popularity in various other parts of the world. It is estimated that 46 million Americans play volleyball and there are around 800 million players of volleyball worldwide. In the year 1895, William G. Morgan, thought to mix the elements of baseball, basketball, tennis and handball into one game. He thus created a game called mintonette, which was later called volleyball. The first game of volleyball was played in the year 1896. Earlier, the ball of basketball was used for playing volleyball. In the year 1900, a special ball was designed for the sport. The ball of volleyball now weighs between 9 and 10 ounces and the ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6 pounds

Volleyball is one of the most energetic sports. In volleyball there are typically six players in one team. There are two teams playing against each other. Each team has three players in the front and three players at the back of the court. In between the two teams there are high nets to separate them. The teams use their hands and arms to hit the ball back and forth over the net. The ball should not fall on the ground.

Volleyball can be played indoors as well as outdoors on a rectangular court. The field is divided into two equal half-courts. The rules of volleyball are fairly simple. There are six players on each side. The server of the ball should serve from a line on the court called the restraining line or the end line. It is necessary that the ball is clearly visible to the opponents before the serve. The ball may be served overhand or underhand. The served ball may graze the net and fall to the other side for a point. The maximum hits allowed per side are three. A single player cannot hit the ball twice in succession. If so, it is considered to be a foul. The ball may be played off the net throughout a volley and on serve. A permissible hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and together with the waist, which does not permit the ball to perceptibly come to a rest. If two or more players contact the ball concurrently, it is considered one play and the players concerned may not partake in the next play. A player must not attack a serve. Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players and that also after the serve.

The scoring of the game is also quite simple. Rally scoring is used in volleyball. The game of volleyball is typically played to twenty five points. There will be a point scored on every score of the ball. Scores will count on a defence miss or out of bounds hit. Defense will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.

The worst situation that a volleyball team could be in is to show up at a game without knowing what skills they needed to win the game. Hitting the ball, being in the right place, and playing competitively can help to win the game as well as gain confidence in the sport. Focusing on the basics for volleyball can help you to gain the skills you need for every game. 

1. Serving. This is what always starts the game and helps to keep the game. There are two basic types of serves. One is overhand; where the player will throw the ball in the air first, then hit it. The second is underhand, where the server will hold the ball and swing their other arm underneath the ball to hit it. There are a variety of other serves beyond these basics, all which help to get the ball over the net, and get the game going. 

2. Pass or reception. This is usually set up by the setter of the game. It is used in order to take the ball and give it to the other players on your own team. They will then have the ability to put the ball to the other side like they want to. You can either pass by the forearm or by hitting the ball overhead. 

3. Tip. A tip is used as a way to trick the other team into thinking that the ball is going further than it will. The player will hit the ball lightly, making it go over the net but not too far into the other player’s area so that they can’t hit it back. 

4. Dig. This is the ability for a player to save the ball from hitting the court after it has been spiked. It usually requires a player to slide underneath the ball on the court or to dive underneath the ball. 

5. Rebound. This occurs when the ball stays on one side, making the players rebound, or take the ball back. 

With all of these different hits for a ball, you will want to make sure that the players have the ability to move freely and effectively with every move. With all of these different hits, the players will need to connect where they want to hit the ball with the way that their feet move. For example, a dig will require the feet to move under the body in order to save the ball. A serve will require more balance on both feet in order to hit the ball more effectively. This will be important to keep in mind as you are training players. 

The basics of volleyball hits can lead a long way when you are working towards playing the game. If you are finding ways to teach techniques to players, this is the place to start. It will allow everyone to have a good chance at controlling and hitting the ball, no matter what the set up is.

Strength training dominates most athletes’ fitness and conditioning programs through out the year. In particular, volleyball players are well-known to have one of the highest levels of strength training dedication. These elite athletes realize the benefits of a proper periodized strength training program.

Volleyball pushes players to the extreme. Each athlete is expected to excel in explosive movements, vertical jumps, power hitting and intense serves. The position rotation in volleyball signifies the definite need for comprehensive players. Being a great blocker is a huge plus, but volleyball thrives off of all-around spectacular athletes. Strength training is a massive component to any elite athlete.

Strength training for volleyball requires the knowledge of periodization. Periodization means changing one or more variables within your strength training program on a regular and consistent basis. These variables can include the exercise, the frequency of lifting, the intensity of lifting, or the method of lifting.

Volleyball players, as well as most other athletes, work on a yearly periodization schedule. They break their year down into 4 distinct segments or cycles. Each new segment means they should change their strength training program to match that cycle’s goals.

The four segments can be broken down into the off-season, the pre-season, the in-season, and the post-season. Each season has unique goals and a unique strength training program. Athletes allow time for resting, building strength and building sport specific functions before the start of the official game season.

The off-season’s goal is to build power and strength. The off-season utilizes power exercises and higher weights to increase muscle size and strength. Typically, the strength training program is most intense during the off-season. Athletes invest a lot of time to their basic fitness foundation.

The pre-season focuses on actual sport specific functions. Squatting, jumping, lateral stepping, hitting and spiking are all common volleyball movements. The pre-season volleyball strength training routine is less intense than the off-season. The goal is to maintain that strength and power, but to perfect sport specific movements. Most of the routine is dedicated to mock volleyball games and drills.

The in-season purely focuses on maintaining the off and pre-season’s goals. The off-season built power and the pre-season put that power to use. Athletes enjoy the fruits of their labor during the in-season. The spike that flies past the opponent’s head and drills into the floor is proof that strength training for volleyball works.

The post-season’s goals are about relaxation and repair. This is a time of year that includes low intensity workouts. The goal is to allow the body to heal after grueling months of high intensity workouts. These few weeks of rest and low intensity strength training and cardio bring the entire training year to a close. The post-season delivers a skilled and healed athlete to begin the off-season strength and power building again.

Off-season ~ Pre-season ~ In-season ~ Post-season ~ Repeat

Regardless of the season, a few things remain constant. Volleyball players should always perform one or more exercises for each muscle group. Each exercise should be performed through a full ROM (range of motion), and each strength training routine should steer towards sport specific movements.

Strength training for volleyball players is an essential and organic component of their fitness and conditioning program. Strength training delivers the edge that all athletes need to succeed. Periodization is necessary in all strength training programs. Volleyball and other sports have taught us the importance of a proper fitness routine based on specific goals.

As with any other sport, in order to be proficient, you have to practice, practice, and practice some more. Volleyball is no different. If the game of volleyball is at the top of your favorite sports to play, then knowing a few helpful volleyball tips can help elevate your game; thereby causing more than a few, “Where did you learn to do that?” comments. So the next time you take the court or hit the beach, remember the following volleyball tips.

To begin with, almost every physical sport such as volleyball requires a fair amount of physical strength and endurance training. So even though it’s not a skill tip per se, preparing your body with the proper cardio-vascular and stamina-building activities, such as: Jogging, jumping rope, and moderate aerobics and resistance training are a great place to start. The following volleyball tips are rely on basic physical conditioning.

One of the most basic skills in volleyball is passing; for without accurate passing, your game will be lacking. A great tip to learn proper volleyball passing is to start with your body in a ready position, your arms extended, and your legs balanced. When receiving the serve, make sure your arms are straight, you contact the ball with your forearms, and you finish with your arms facing the target.

Second to passing, blocking is another essential skill you must acquire to ensure volleyball success. To execute a successful block, you first need the seal the net. You do this by locking your arms with your thumbs pointing upward. If possible, extend your arms over the net while keeping your shoulders square and always remember to anticipate the attack and jump straight up and down.

Aside from passing and blocking–and since it begins every play–serving skills need to be learned by every player. Serving in volleyball is done either underhand or overhand. The underhand serve will be covered first. To execute a successful underhand serve, you need to stand facing the net with your non-serving-side leg facing forward. Holding the ball waist-level, you slowly lean forward, swing your serving arm while dropping the ball just prior to contact. The ball is then hit with your fist or heel of your hand followed by a complete arm follow-through toward the target.

The overhand serve is also known as the power serve and begins with a firm wrist and arm toss. The ball is tossed in the air roughly 18″ above the server’s head and to where when it falls will be in-line with your lead foot and hitting shoulder. Always remember to keep your elbow and hand shoulder-height or above throughout the entire serve; shift your weight to your lead foot; swing your serving arm toward the target; and then finish with a clear follow-through.

By utilizing these basic volleyball tips, your game will be well on its way to the next level. And always remember, practice, practice, and practice some more!

Smart volleyball coaches always say that serving is the volleyball game’s “equalizer” because from start to finish you and only you control every aspect and especially the outcome of the volleyball  serve. It doesn’t matter how tall, how wide or how short you are, if you develop a tough serve that makes points consistently you are guaranteed to see regular court time.

1. The first volleyball skill to learn to improve your serve is to mentally decide to attack with your serve.

Many players with serves that are inconsistent or ineffective need to first change their mind set about serving. For most volleyball champions serving isn’t about just getting the ball over the net so the other team can start the play. On the contrary, “the play” STARTS with the serve meaning the serve is used as the first “attack” you make against the opposing team. So learn to “attack” with your serve. This is a mental process first. Decide to be aggressive with your serve. Then in practice, practice making high velocity tough attack serves, not wimpy ones.

2. Just like when you spike you need to keep your elbow high in order to improve your volleyball serving skill.

When players complain about serving into the volleyball net one of the first things I watch to make corrections is how high they keep their elbow when they serve. Whether you use a bow and arrow armswing or a simulation spike to serve…(that’s what I call it) if you drop your elbow when you serve, your ball will rarely clear the net. Your elbow needs to be high …always above the level of your ear. Then you need to speed up your armwsing and reach.

3. A low toss or inconsistent toss will negatively affect your serving volleyball skill.

This is the second place I look to check for wimpy serves. If your toss is low then that means you have to go chase your ball off balanced. Because the toss is low in order to recover and make something happen you usually lean forward…which drops your elbow which means you contact the ball below the level of net and so on …the ball won’t clear the net. Or if one time you toss to the right of your front foot, then another time 2 feet over to the left you will never create a system for yourself so you can consistently serve tough.

To improve your serving skill it’s necessary to create a “ritual” where you toss the volleyball the same way every time you serve. I point my foot exactly in the direction of where Im going to serve then with open palmed left hand I toss the ball 2 feet above my head and one foot in front of my front foot. How do I know these measurements? Because at home or by myself I practiced my toss…just my toss for hundreds of reps. Two feet up , one foot in front. Let the ball drop without swinging at it to make sure it lands in front of the toe of your front foot. Why? This keeps your body balanced so all you have to do is transfer the weight from your back foot to your front foot, quicken your armswing and make solid contact with the ball.

4. Facing your target will greatly improve your volleyball serving skill.

Some players think its really sneaky to try and fake out the serve receive by not showing where they are going to serve. On the contrary I say…let everybody know where you are going to serve. Face Your Target. I’m talking about the floater serve, here. Place everything that you have, your feet, hips, shoulders, tossed ball in the direction of where you plan to serve. Face that player or that space on the court and just let it Go! If ALL your energy is going in one direction you can create more force than if different parts of your body are going in different directions. If everything is all lined up in one direction and balanced then you can focus on one last element.

5. Ball contact.

If you don’t make solid contact right in the middle of the panels facing you then you probably won’t get that tough floater serve you are looking for. Contact on the sides gives the ball side spin and contacting the ball too low gives a back spin which is usually pretty easy for the opposing team to pass. In practice watching where you contact the ball helps you improve your ball contact which automatically helps to improve your volleyball serving skill.

Polishing exposure and technique as well as learning advanced tactics of the game is the key to the volleyball recruitment environment.

Volleyball originated in the United States, and is only now beginning to achieve the type of popularity in the U.S. that it receives elsewhere in the world, where it ranks behind only college soccer among participation sports.

Here are some information specific to college volleyball scholarships and the volleyball recruiting process.

The high school season concur with the college season so most coaches actually recruit during the club season. Most college volleyball coaches recruit players at junior local tournaments, national qualifiers and regional tournaments; NCAA allows each division 1 Volleyball program 4.5 scholarships for Men and 12 for women. In division 2 the ratio is 4.5 for men and 8 for women; It doesn’t an issue how good you are, to get recruited and be in line for a college volleyball scholarship you need to tell the college coaches who you are and why you deserve to be recruited; The process of finding and contacting coaches and dealing with the rules and regulations enforced by the NCAA and NAIA is quite a daunting process for both athletes and parents. The use of college volleyball recruiting service is a must for all athletes who are serious about playing college volleyball; As a high school volleyball player you should be aware that the standard of play at college volleyball level is very high. You should attend a few games to gauge the actual intensity of volleyball at this level. Remember that only the absolute top players will be approached with scholarship offers; Many fine talented young volleyball players are overlooked each year because they didn’t submit their athletic scholarship resume to the “right” colleges or left out vital information. It’s also a fact that many colleges simply don’t allocate all of their volleyball recruiting funds because “suitable” athletes didn’t approach them; Most players will have to contact the college volleyball coaches themselves;

You can try to do this yourself or use some college volleyball recruiting service. Try D1athletes.com it is an interactive and proactive environment for facilitating positive and effective communication between Coaches and Athletes. Having an extra effort to be deserved at your chosen camp is a must.

Because of the growing number of private volleyball courts and recreational volleyball courts in residential areas and neighborhood outdoor recreation areas, the floodlights of yesteryear are rapidly being replaced by sharp cutoff volleyball court lighting fixtures and metal halide or high pressure sodium lamps. Cut-off style fixtures offer greater control of volleyball lighting and minimize light spillage, making them ideal for schools, churches, YMCA’s, and even personal backyards in cities with very strict dark sky compliance laws. Cut-off style volleyball court lights also look more sheik and attractive than traditional shoebox lighting designs and serve to better compliment adjacent building architecture and surrounding indigenous vegetation.

RLLD Commercial Lighting provides a wide range of fixture types and lamp wattage strengths for recreational and professional volleyball court lighting. For private courts, we recommend that you consult with an electrician who can install this equipment, as a number of calculations have to be factored into the equation when choosing and installing lights for a volleyball court. Standard court size is normally 60′ by 30′, although these dimensions can vary in a variety of private settings and special recreational facilities. Working with a trained expert in RLLD Commercial Lighting can also save a contractor a great deal of time in doing all the math necessary to make all the necessary adjustments needed to light a volleyball court that varies in any way from standard measurements. It is also necessary to take a number of additional factors into account as follows.

1. Pole and Fixture Placement

In most volleyball court lighting designs, it is generally a good idea to use one double lighting kit on each side of the court. We have a number of wooden and steel poles in standard and decorative designs to offer a complimentary touch to the sidelines, and we have mounting brackets that can be used to mount one or more fixtures to trees growing near the court.

As a rule of thumb, add approximately 20′ to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the court in order to light both the court and sideline areas.

2. Fixture Attributes

The sheik cutoff design featured by RLLD Commercial Lighting Fixtures for Volleyball Courts gives them a strong competitive advantage when it comes to both aesthetics and performance. They present a much less obtrusive, almost low-profile appearance in comparison to the more bulky shoebox lights that are often used for tennis court lighting. The cutoff design offers a qualitative advantage over floodlights because it lights only the volleyball court and sideline areas with minimal light spillage beyond the desired boundaries.

Lamps can be obtained from RLLD Commercial Lighting either in high pressure sodium (good for repelling insects) or metal halide choices (ideal for white light that nears natural light in quality). Consult with one of our specialists about wattages and ballast options that best suit your particular facility.

3. Fixture Mounting Height

The diversity of poles and mounts we inventory for volleyball court lighting makes it simple and quick for contractors to find exactly what they need to elevate fixtures to the precise height necessary to avoid blinding the eyes of players and sending light pollution into nearby stores and houses. RLLD Commercial Lighting experts can also help contractors and design professionals determine exactly which poles and mounts will best withstand any high winds in a given part of the country with charts and up-to-date information on EPA codes and requirements.

4. Quantity and Quality of Light

Working with a distributor like RLLD Commercial lighting gives the freelance electrical contractor access to top commercial grade lamps and fixtures to ensure that glare and light pollution are eliminated for the greater comfort, safety, and enjoyment of the game. RLLD Commercial Lighting specialists will provide complimentary phone-based consulting services to clients and advisory services for a small fee to the casual inquirer. Call us now to find both special volleyball lighting equipment and custom volleyball lighting packages made for end-users needs first in mind.