Indoor Volleyball Basics -- Learn The Basic Rules, Concepts, And Player Positions

Are you a new volleyball player? With basic knowledge, it might be easier to enjoy it in the beginning. I was there also once when I started, so I’ll share some tips I wish I had when I was younger. There are so many rules that even we professionals sometimes need to remember! This beginner’s guide will give you a great headstart before stepping on the court for the first time. So keep reading till the end; you might become the new rising volleyball star and impress your friends with your new knowledge.

About Volleyball Rules

The governing body responsible for all forms of volleyball rules globally is the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).

Two teams of six players play the game, rotating clockwise after each point.
A net separates the teams and try to score points by sending the ball over the net and
landing it in the opponent’s court. (Kinda like Tennis, but we don’t allow bounces ;))
Each team can touch the ball three times before sending it over the net, but a player
cannot feel it twice in a row (except after a block touch, and I’ll explain that more)
The court is divided into front row and back row. Front-row players can block and spike
in the attack zone. Back-row players can defend and spike behind the attack line.
The ball must travel between the antennas (or their imaginary extensions) when crossing
the net, and it must not touch the floor, the ceiling, or any other object outside the court.
A point is awarded to the team that wins the rally, regardless of who served the ball. This
is called rally-point scoring.
A set is won by the team that reaches 25 points first with a two-point advantage. A match
is usually best of three or five sets.
Different types of skills can be used, such as serving, passing, setting, hitting, blocking,
and digging, that players need to learn before playing team situations.
Some common violations result in a point for the opponent, such as stepping on the
service line, touching the net, double touching, or ‘carrying’ the ball.

First Skills Volleyball Players Need To Learn

Once you learn the basic rules, you can start sharpening your skills. These enable players to control the ball, score points, and stop opponents from doing the same. Beginners should start by practicing the underhand serve, forearm, and overhead passing or setting, then move on to more complex techniques such as overhand serve, spiking, blocking, and digging. Wall drills are the best for mastering the basics when you’re just starting out.

1. Serving:

Serving is the first skill in volleyball, setting the tone for each rally. A well-executed serve can pressure the receiving team and give the serving team a chance to score points. There are different types of serves, such as underhand, overhand, jump spin, float, and hybrid, each with pros and cons. To serve, players toss the ball into the air and hit it with an open hand, following through to generate more power and accuracy.

2. Passing (reception):

With passing (the first contact of the action), the receiving player receives the opponent’s serve and directs it near the middle close to the net. Passing is essential for controlling the ball and setting up the player who is setting. The basic technique is the forearm pass, or bump pass (as they say in the US), where players form a platform with their arms and contact the ball with their forearms. Another technique is the overhead pass, where players use their fingertips to control and direct the ball. Forearm passing (bump passing) is your most common contact with a volleyball, so mastering this is required to be a great player.

3. Setting:

Setting is the skill of delivering well-placed balls to the team’s hitters, creating the opportunity to spike. It’s the playmaker role in volleyball, as it decides the type and quality of the attack. Setters or players who set the ball must be able to read the game, communicate with their teammates, and adapt to different situations. The most common and precise setting technique is the overhead set, where players use their fingertips to control and direct the ball. Another technique is the bump set, where players use their forearms to set the ball. This technique is mainly used when the reception is far from the net or from a libero that takes the second contact.

4. Hitting:

Hitting is the last contact of the team’s action, attacking the ball and sending it over the net to the opponent’s court. It is the primary way of scoring points in volleyball and what every player wants to master. To make a successful spike, time your jump well, swing fast, and aim accurately. The most basic hitting technique is called spike, where players approach the net in three or four-step steps, then jump and swing their arms to hit the ball. Another attacking skill is the tip, where players use their fingertips to push the ball over the block or to an open space. Beginners should learn their approach first and put the ball over the net with an overhead pass. Only then, when they master their approach, should they transition to spiking. Using an overhead pass to place the ball can also sharpen your court awareness and is still used at high levels in emergency situations.

5. Blocking:

Blocking is stopping or deflecting the opponent’s attack at the net. To be a great blocker, you need to jump high, but more importantly, you need to time your jump well and position your hands and arms correctly (with open hands). An excellent way to start learning blocking is to jump straight up, hands spread, slightly reach over the net, and match the attacker’s timing. As you advance and your opponent’s skill set increases, you will learn different techniques and footwork to be a wall at the net!

6. Digging:

Digging is the skill of preventing the ball from hitting the floor or going out of bounds after the opponent’s attack. It is a vital defensive skill, allowing the team to keep the rally alive and switch to offense. Defensive players must react quickly, position themselves in a low stance with spread arms, and dive or roll if necessary. The basic digging technique is the forearm dig, where players use their forearms to touch the ball and keep it on their side of the net. Most of this technique comes down to slowing down the ball you dig and giving your team time to transition. However, an overhead dig is sometimes needed if the spike is high. Many new players are afraid of hard spikes coming at them. Overcome the fear of the ball, and you’ll be unstoppable if you can!

Basic Volleyball Drills

The first and most basic volleyball drill is just playing with the wall. Wall peppering is excellent for beginners to develop their skills independently. It allows for repetition and consistency, and you can play at your own pace. Another fun layer is that the better you get at the touches, the longer you will be able to play.

As the ball rebounds, practice your passing or setting skills.
Stand about 10 feet (3m) away from a wall.
Toss the volleyball high into the air towards the wall.
As the ball bounces back to your platform or hands, try using different amounts of force,
angles, and direction for the ball.
See how many touches you can get in a row!

For my second drill, you will need a buddy! Peppering in pairs is a classic volleyball drill involving two players facing each other to practice passing, setting, and spiking. Here’s how it typically works:

Player 1 starts by hitting or tossing the ball to Player 2.
Player 2 passes the ball back to Player 1.
Player 1 sets the ball back to Player 2.
Player 2 spikes the ball back to Player 1.
Player 1 digs the spiked ball, and the cycle repeats.
You can add in different skills and take turns. Once you can go back and forth, you can
try spiking the ball. Because there are only two players and three different types of
contact, you will naturally rotate who takes a turn digging, setting, and then spiking.

The last is the wall-hitting drill, which is excellent for practicing your volleyball serving and spiking techniques.

Here’s a simple way to perform this drill:

Wall Serving Drill:
- Stand about 10 feet (3m) from a wall.
- Serve the ball against the wall, aiming for a specific spot to improve accuracy.
- The ball will bounce back, allowing you to practice your reception. Then Repeat

Wall Spiking Drill:
- Spike the ball against the floor so it bounces to the wall, focusing on hand placement and power. Keep in mind that the closer you hit the ball at the floor towards the wall, the higher up on the wall it will bounce back to you.
- When it bounces back, hit the ball again and continue this cycle. There are essentially three points of contact you need to worry about in this drill: with your hand, then the floor, and finally, the wall.
- After it touches the wall, the ball will return to you. As you progress, you will feel a natural cycle. This is also a great way to warm up your arm as your skills improve.

If you want to learn more about volleyball and improve your skills, here are some resources that you can check out as well:

Rotations and Systems

Got everything about the basic rules and skills? Great! Then, it’s time to start playing organized volleyball. A volleyball rotation is the sequence of serving and positioning the players on the court. There are six zones, numbered from 1 to 6, and each player has a designated role and location in each zone. The players rotate one spot clockwise whenever they win a point while the other team serves. There are also rules to avoid serving out of order or overlapping with other players. Learning rotations is crucial to start playing organized volleyball.

Zone 1: Serving area
Zone 6 and 5: Defensive area
Zone 3: Setting area
Zone 4 and 2: Spiking areas
Zone 1, 6 and 5: Receiving areas
Zone 4, 3 and 2: Blocking areas

More advanced Volleyball Systems and positions

Volleyball systems and rotations are crucial aspects of the game and allow the team to create strategies. A volleyball system organizes the players on the court depending on who is the setter and how many hitters are available. 5 different positions are building a volleyball team, with setter, Outside Hitter, opposite, middle blocker, and libero. Three standard organized systems are 4-2, 6-2, and 5-1.

4-2 System:

The 4-2 system has two setters opposite each other in the rotation, who switch and set from the front row in zone 3 (in the middle of the net). This means each setter has two hitters on the left and right sides, while the back row players do not attack. This system is simple, consistent, and a great next step from the 6-0 system.

6-2 System:

This system has two setters, but the one that is setting is the one positioned in the back row, so there are always three hitters in the front row (right, left, and middle). The setters switch positions on the right side and become hitters in the front row, while the other setter moves to zone 1 in the back row.

5-1 System:

5-1 System has one setter, which is setting all the time. This means that there are always four hitters available. Two outside hitters, one attacking on the left side and one on the Pipe Attack, an Opposite Hitter on the right side, and a middle blocker with a quick attack. This system is the most complex and versatile, requiring a skilled and consistent setter who can run the offense from any position. This is also the most common type of system run at high levels. This system also provides the most diversity for attack patterns or “trick” plays.

Volleyball Clubs And Teams

Joining a volleyball club is the best way to advance your skills. By training with experienced coaches and players, you can measure your progress against theirs, leading to quicker improvement. Additionally, being part of a volleyball team provides many benefits beyond just playing the sport. It’s a chance to engage in an activity requiring teamwork; at the end of the day, it’s also fun. Whether you started when you were young, you’re joining your friends on an adult rec-league team, or just playing at the park – there are a ton of ways you can get better and have fun moving your body.

Benefits of playing in a volleyball team

Learning: Access to experienced coaches who can provide personalized feedback and training.

Skill Improvement: Regular practice and competitive play can significantly enhance your abilities.

Teamwork: Develop communication and cooperation skills.

Socializing: A great way to meet new people and make lasting friendships. Community is essential, and nothing is stronger than the bonds of the global volleyball family.

Physical Fitness: Volleyball is a full-body workout that improves strength, agility, and endurance.

Mental Fortitude: Taking wins and losses, seeing your mistakes, and learning from them translates well into the real world. Sports are a great way to improve mental strength by persisting through hard times.

Fun: It’s an enjoyable activity combined with competition.

Where to find a volleyball club

Finding the right volleyball club or team can be an exciting step.

Online Directories: Use online resources like Find A Volleyball Team or USA Volleyball, which offer directories of clubs and teams. You can search based on your location and preferences. If you are still in school, there should be an application to apply for the school team.

Regional Volleyball Associations: Check out your local or regional volleyball association’s website. They often have a list of affiliated clubs.

Club Websites: Visit the websites of clubs that are close to you. They provide information about their teams, philosophies, and tryout dates.

Social Media: Follow local clubs on social media to get updates on tryouts and events.

Local Community Boards: Look for postings at community centers, schools, or sports facilities.

Volleyball Camps and Clinics: Attend these events to meet coaches and players who can provide recommendations and tips.

Word of Mouth: Ask friends, family, or colleagues involved in volleyball for suggestions, and tell the coaches about you.

How to Prepare for Your First Volleyball Session

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing. This typically includes a T-shirt or tank top and athletic shorts. Excessively loose shorts can also pose a problem, so wear tighter-fitting clothes, especially for shorts! There is a reason women wear spandex shorts (it’s so you don’t lose them on the floor while diving or jumping). Knee pads are necessary for beginners to protect their knees during dives and falls. Volleyball-specific or basketball shoes are ideal, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on them. Stay hydrated throughout the session. You don’t want to faint in your first one.

Etiquette

Help with setting up the net and equipment if needed. Be respectful and avoid swearing or trash- talking. Volleyball is a team sport, so communicate and collaborate with your teammates.

Making a Good Impression

Arrive early to show commitment and have enough time to warm up. Listen to the coach and follow their instructions. Introduce yourself to teammates. Be willing to try new things and accept constructive criticism. On that note, it’s a bad idea to start giving advice where it’s not needed or wanted. Try to leave that to a coach or give your input when asked directly.

Overcoming Challenges

It’s normal to feel nervous. Focus on the learning process rather than perfection. Remember that everyone was a beginner at some point. Your teammates and coach are there to support you. Embrace the inexperience! Every session is an opportunity to improve. The goal is to learn and have fun. Give it your best, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.

That’s all

Now, you’ve learned the basics of volleyball, including the rules, skills, and fundamental systems involved in the game, and what you need for your first practice. Your career starts here, hey, and you never know; with enough practice, maybe one day you even become a pro!

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