Study Guides

Volleyball Study Guide

1. A regulation game consists of 25 points, rally scoring.  A team must win by 2 points.
2. There are six players on an official volleyball team.
3. A ball may be hit no more than 3 times on a side.
4. Definitions:

Overhead Volley – Hitting the ball when it is above your waist with 2 hands using your fingers to push the ball high into the air.
Bump Pass – Hitting the ball below the waist with both hands together.
Dig Pass – Hitting the ball just before it hits the ground.
Spike – A hard downward hit of the ball with one hand cupped.
Rotation – Shifting of position just before a new player serves.
Side out – The serving team fails to return the ball legally to the other court, so they lose their service.  The other team gets an opportunity to serve.
Match – When a team wins 2 out of 3 games.

1. At the end of each game of the same match, teams shall change courts.  In the

            middle of the third game, teams change courts after one team has scored 8 pts.

1. If the serving team misses, it side out and a point for the other team.
2. If the ball hits on the line, it is considered good.
3. When a player touches the ball that is out of bounds before it touches the floor, the ball is good, if the other team touched the ball last.  But, if your team hits the ball out of bounds, try to save it.
4. If the ball hits the wall it is out of bounds.
5. In regulation volleyball, if the ball hits the ceiling on your side the ball is still in play.  If the ball hits the ceiling on the other teams side it is out of bounds and the other teams point.
6. It is illegal to step on or over the service line in regulation volleyball.  With our circumstances you may take one step over the line on the court closest to the cafeteria.
7. Any serve that hits the net and goes over is good.  Also, serves that go up into the rafters are out of bounds.
8. A ball may be recovered and played from the net.
9. The serving order must be followed by both teams.
10. The ball is dead after a point.
11. If 2 players hit the ball at the same time it is considered one hit and either may hit again without penalty.
12. It is illegal to hit the ball with hands apart when hitting the ball below the waist.  It is also illegal in our class to hit the ball with your hands together when the ball is above the waist.

Basic Skills

1. Overhead set
1. For a good overhead volley, you should contact the ball with your finger tips only.  You shouldn’t slap the ball with the palm of your hands.
2. Your fingers should be apart and relaxed with fingertips pointing toward each other to make a triangle.  Your elbows should be out away from your body.
3. As you contact the ball, your arms and legs extend using your fingers to push the ball high in the air as your wrists snap forward.
4. Push your hand away from the ball so the palms are facing sideways on your follow through.
5. Contact the ball in front of your face.

Illegal overhead set:

1. Ball touches palms of your hands
2. Reaching back behind your head.
3. Volleying the ball from your chest area.
4. Volleying with one hand only.

1. Bump pass or forearm pass:
1. For a good controlled legal bump pass, you should keep hands together as you hit the ball.
2. Squeeze elbows toward each other so your forearms make a flat surface.  Hit the ball with your forearms not your hands.
3. Bend your knees to get under the ball, so you can extend legs when hitting the ball.
4. There should be very little follow through with the arms.

The 4 major hits in volleyball:

1. Overhead Set
2. Bump/Forearm Pass
3. Spike
4. Dig

The 3 types of serves

1. Underhand
2. Overhand
3. Jump Serve

Strategy

• While waiting for the serve, all defensive players should be in the bump position ready to receive the ball.
• For good team communication players should verbally call for the ball so all can hear.
• Get your body into position to hit the ball.  Play your position.
• Take advantage of your 3 hits when your team has control of the ball.  Bump, set, spike is the most effective offense. 
• Whenever possible, use the overhead set to another teammate for the spike.
• Try to place your serve to various spots on the court.  This will make it more difficult to return.
• Use the overhand serve while you learn to control the ball.  The overhand serve is for advanced players.
• You need to get under the ball and bend your knees.  Don’t swing at the ball, control it.
• In school, it will be considered illegal to hit the ball with your hands together above the waist.  This is sloppy volleyball so learn correct skills.
• If someone on your team hits the ball out of bounds on your side, try to save it.
• Don’t stand directly behind other players on your team.  It is hard to see and react to what is coming.

Rotation:

Teams should rotate clockwise and in a square formation.