There are some changes to volleyball rules over the past few years. Here is a run-down of the important things to know.
Court lines:
Each gym has different colors, but the volleyball court is a large square on either side of the net. There is a "10-foot line" closer to the net that will be used in more advanced levels with spiking and positioning. Players can leave the court area to play a ball.
Serving and starting the volley:
One team will serve the ball. Players can serve underhand or overhand. Underhand serves must be done from behind the back line of the court. Overhand serves are still a developing skill, and 7th graders can move a few feet onto the court (in front of the back line) if overhand serving. The serve must make it over the net (but it CAN hit the top of the net) and land within the opposing court lines or be touched by an opposing player.
General Volley:
If a ball comes over the net and lands on the floor (untouched) within the court lines it is considered "in" and will be a point for the opposing team. If a ball comes over the net and is touched by one of our players, the volley begins and we must return the ball to the other team - players can leave the court lines to get a ball back into the court space. Players can have 3 touches on a side before it must be returned to the other team (bump, set, spike). Players cannot touch the ball twice in a row.
Scoring:
Matches are played rally-score to 25 points. With rally-scoring, each volley is worth a point. You do not have to be serving to win a point. Even if a team is serve-receiving, they can earn the point if they win the volley. Matches have to be won by two points. Teams play 3 matches in a game no matter what.
Substitutions:
Players can make substitutions between points. The two players switching stand on the side court line, facing each other, near the net. The referee will mark the players' numbers and allow the substitution.
Etiquette:
Good sportsmanship is always expected of our players, on and off the court. This is not only being positive to opposing teams but also to your own team members. Fans are also expected to have good sportsmanship. After games, students are expected to line up on the back line of the court, and walk along the side line to the net to shake hands (or give high-fives) to the opposing team.