Volleyball rules

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Volleyball Rules are the rules for volleyball played internationally and is the backbone of all other volleyball organizations. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) is the international governing body for the sport of volleyball and publishes rules for the game. U.S. collegiate and college-age play is often covered by the volleyball rulebook of the NCAA; and U.S. high school and high school-age volleyball is governed by the NFHS rules. Professional Leagues, both indoor and on the beach, all play under slightly modified versions of the official FIVB rules.

[edit] What is Volleyball

Main article: Volleyball

Volleyball is a sport played by two teams on a playing court divided by a net. There are different, versions available for specific circumstances in order to offer the versatility of the game to everyone. The object of the game is to send the ball over the net in order to ground it on the opponent’s court, and to prevent the same effort by the opponent. The team has three hits for returning the ball (in addition to the block contact). The ball is put in play with a service: hit by the server over the net to the opponents. The rally continues until the ball falls on the playing court, goes “out” or a team fails to return it properly. In volleyball, the team winning a rally scores a point (Rally point system). When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve, and its players rotate one position clockwise.

[edit] Function of the Rules

For the rules to be applied correctly, the functions of the rules must be known. Generally speaking, the rules as a whole have the following functions:

1.Characterization of the Game - The rules give the characteristics of the game and differentiate volleyball from other sports.

• The rules stipulate the conditions; facilities and equipment of the game, the court surface and measurements, the regulations of the net and the balls, etc.
• The rules regulate the number of people allowed to participant, the number of players in play and their positions, rotational order, etc.
• The rules set up the methods of play, how to keep the ball in play, the crossing space, and how to win a point, a set, and a match.

2. Legalization of Techniques

• Many of the rules give the clear definition and distinct differentiation of the proper techniques from improper and illegal techniques. These rules, under the category of techniques, are the rules which need to be studied and clarified very definitely by the referees for their correct enforcement.

3. Play Under Fair Conditions

• All the rules concerning court, facilities and equipment, techniques or even conduct are equal for all the players of both teams. This is a very critical point for referees. If the enforcement of the rules is different for one team than another that are playing, even if it is not intentionally applied by the referee, it will be unfair. So, accuracy in understanding and enforcement of the rules is the basic element of fairness and justice.

4. Educational Function

• To have Sportsmanlike Conduct is a basic behavioral objective for athletes in all kinds of sports. The Participants' Conduct section, is stated especially for this purpose.

[edit] Rulebook

Volleyball Rules are separated into the following categories:

Part 1: The Game		Part 2: The Referees, their responsibilities and official signals
Facilities and Equipment Playing area Dimensions Playing surface Lines on the court Zones and Areas Temperature Lighting Net and Posts Height of the net Structure Side bands Antennae Posts Additional equipment Balls Standards Uniformity of Balls Three-ball system Participants Teams Team Composition Location of the team Equipment Change of Equipment Forbidden Objects Team Leaders Captain Coach Assistant Coach Playing Format To score a point, to win a set and the match To score a point to win a set to win a match Default and incomplete team Structure of Play The toss Warm-up session Team starting line-up Positions Positional fault Rotation Rotational fault Playing Actions States of play Ball in play Ball out of play ball "in" ball "out" Playing the ball Team hits Characteristics of the hit Faults in playing the ball Playing the ball Ball crossing the net Ball touching the net Ball in the net Player at the net Reaching beyond the net Penetration under the net Contact with the net Players fault at the net	Service First service in a set Service order Authorization of the service Execution of the service Screening Faults made during the service Faults made after the service and positional faults Attack hit Attack hit Restrictions of the attack hit Faults of the attack hit Block Blocking Block contact Blocking within the opponents space Block and team hits Blocking the service Blocking faults Interruptions and delays Regular game interruptions Number of regular interruptions Request for regular interruptions Sequence of interruptions Time-outs and technical time-outs Substitution of players Limitation of substitutions Exception of substitutions Substitution for expulsion or disqualification Illegal subsitituion Substitution procedure Improper request Game delays Types of delays Delay sanctions Exceptional game interruptions Injury External interference Prolonged Interruptions Intervals and change of courts Intervals Change of courts Libero Player Libero Player Designation of the libero player Equipment Actions involving the libero Participants conduct Requirements of conduct Sportsmanlike conduct Fairplay Misconduct and its sanctions Minor misconduct Misconduct leading to sanctions Sanction scale Applications of misconduct sanctions Misconduct before and between sets Sanction cards	Referees Refereeing corps and procedures Composition Procedures First referee Location Authority Responsibilities Second referee Location Authority Responsibilities Scorer Location Responsibilities Assistant Scorer Location Responsibilities line Judges Location Responsibilities Official Signals Referee's hand signals Line judges flag signals