Each team must play within its own playing area and space (except Rule 10.1.2). The ball may, however, be retrieved from beyond its own free zone and over the scoring table in its complete extension.
A hit is any contact with the ball by a player in play.
The team is entitled to a maximum of three hits (in addition to blocking, Rule 14.4.1), for returning the ball. If more are used, the team commits the fault of “FOUR HITS”.
9.1.1 Consecutive contacts
A player may not hit the ball two times consecutively (except Rules 9.2.3, 14.2 and 14.4.2).
9.1.2 Simultaneous contacts
Two or three players may touch the ball at the same moment.
9.1.2.1 When two (or three) team-mates touch the ball simultaneously, it is counted as two (or three) hits (with the exception of blocking). If they reach for the ball, but only one of them touches it, one hit is counted. A collision of players does not constitute a fault.
9.1.2.2 When two opponents touch the ball simultaneously over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits. If such a ball goes “out”, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side.
9.1.2.3 If simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net leads to extended contact with the ball, play continues.
9.1.3 Assisted hit
Within the playing area, a player is not permitted to take support from a team-mate or any structure/object in order to hit the ball.
However, a player who is about to commit a fault (touch the net or cross the centre line, etc.) may be stopped or held back by a teammate.
9.2.1 The ball may touch any part of the body.
9.2.2 The ball must not be caught and/or thrown. It can rebound in any direction.
9.2.3 The ball may touch various parts of the body, provided that the contacts take place simultaneously.
Exceptions:
9.2.3.1 At blocking, consecutive contacts may be made by one or more player(s)
provided that the contacts occur during one action (Rule 14.1.1 & 14.2).
9.2.3.2 At the first hit of the team, the ball may contact various part of the body consecutively, provided that the contacts occur during one action (see Rules 9.1, 14.4.1).
Volleyball Canada, 14U and younger competitions, receiving serve with an overhand motion using the fingers (volleying/setting the serve) is not permitted, regardless of the quality of the contact. The first referee will use the "double-contact" signal to indicate this infraction.
9.3.1 FOUR HITS: a team hits the ball four times before returning it (Rule 9.1).
9.3.2 ASSISTED HIT: a player takes support from a team-mate or any structure/object in order to hit the ball within the playing area (Rule 9.1.3).
9.3.3 CATCH: the ball is caught and/or thrown; is does not rebound from the hit (Rule 9.2.2).
9.3.4 DOUBLE CONTACT: a player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts various parts of his/her body in succession (Rule 9.2.3).