Getting Started

Volleyball is an Olympic team sport in which two teams of 6 active players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points against one another by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.

The rules of Volleyball are relatively simple and the game is easy to pick up.  Points are awarded as follows: If the ball touches the ground outside the court area, the team which made contact with it last loses the point. If the ball touches the ground on team A's side of the net, team B is awarded a point, and vice-versa. The ball must be hit over the net to get a point. The team who wins the point then serves. Teams can contact the ball only three times before the ball crosses the net and consecutive contacts must be made by different players. The ball is usually played with the hands or arms, but players can legally strike or push (short contact) the ball with any part of the body.
Through time, volleyball has developed to involve common techniques of spiking, passing, blocking, and setting, as well as specialized player positions and offensive and defensive structures. Because many plays are made above the top of the net, jumping is an athletic skill important in volleyball.  Numerous variations of volleyball have developed for casual play, including the Olympic spin-off sport beach volleyball.

Kit you'll need

Clubs or schools will provide all the equipment you will need to get started, so you will just need some comfortable kit and training shoes initially.  As you progress you will probably want to invest in your own kit with your team colours and badges.  Playing on a hard court you may want to invest in knee pads…

As always, you should stay hydrated when you are training so take a drinks bottle in your bag…

What's Good

Levels of participation in volleyball are growing fast and you will almost certainly be able to find a club near where you live.  With the introduction of Sitting Volleyball for disabled players, Volleyball is truly a game to be enjoyed by all.

Useful Links