High School Volleyball Rules

Servers have some flexibility in how they serve, because high school volleyball rules allow for overhand or underhand serves. However, because overhand serves often have more power behind them, elite high school volleyball players usually opt for the overhand serve.

High school volleyball rules require the server to start behind the end line. Servers must stay behind that end line until after they hit the ball. This means that the serve must be out of the server’s hand before they can cross the end line and rejoin the game. This can be tricky for servers who like to take a few running steps before the serve. These players must start far enough behind the end line that they do not cross it even after the steps.

To be considered successful, the serve must cross the net. It is allowed to touch the top of the net, as long as it makes it over.

Volleyball Scoring Rules

High school volleyball rules have changed regarding scoring, making it more like college or international play. Scoring for high school is now on a rally system, meaning that a point is scored every time the ball hits the ground, regardless of who served it. In other words, even if the offense misses the ball, a point is still scored, for the defense.

The offense scores a point if the defense misses the ball or hits it out of bounds. The defense scores a point if the offense misses the ball, hits it out of bounds, or does not complete a successful serve.

The game goes to 25 points. Since there is a point each time the ball hits the ground, the game moves quickly. To keep things interesting, a team has to win by two points. This means that a team must make it to 25 but also be two points ahead of the opponent, meaning that if the teams are only separated by one point, the game continues past 25.

The Basics of the Game

Basic Skills in Volleyball

Setting Skills

Of the basic skills in volleyball, setting is fairly difficult, simply because other team members rely on the success of the set. If a setter does not perform the set well, the hitter will have a hard time hitting accurately.

Setting is widely considered to be in the basic skills in volleyball. It is essentially an overhead pass that a hitter uses to hit the ball over the net, attempting to prevent the defense from returning the pass. The setter should get into a routine with hitters, so that the two can become comfortable with each other. If there are multiple hitters, the setter should practice with each one until both understand the rhythm of the other’s play style.

To set properly, setters should get directly under the ball, passing it directly above them with the fingertips. The setter should never let the ball touch their palms, because it will kill the momentum of the ball and make the set slower and sloppier. The setter should then get out of the way, allowing the hitter to get into position for a successful hit.

Hitting Skills

Hitting is another basic skill in volleyball that can make or break a team. Hitters must be high jumpers with fast reflexes and excellent hand-eye coordination. Hitters should always allow themselves enough room to move forward before jumping to meet the ball. This often means that hitters have to start 10 feet or more behind the ball so that they meet it at the top of the jump.

The key to hitting properly is timing. The hitter must recognize when the ball will reach them and plan the jump accordingly. Hitter should strive to hit the ball when they are at their highest, to allow the ball to travel further.

Hitters should also extend their hitting arm before touching the ball. This allows the hitter to put maximum power behind the hit. Finally, the wrist snap is essential to forcing the ball down and preventing the opposing team from returning it. Be sure to use these alongside our volleyball passing drills.

Serving Skills

There are two types of serves, appropriate for different levels of skill and development. The float serve starts with the server behind the endline with their feet planted firmly. The server tosses the ball into the air a bit above their head and hits it straight on with the palm. This serve is supposed to float over the net and wobble a bit, making it more difficult to return.

The second method of serving is the jump serve. The jump serve is a difficult move that not all athletes are ready for, especially if they are younger team members. The server starts by tossing the ball into the air; athletes should remember that they must toss the ball overhand, not underhand. They can toss with either hand or with both hands together.

Starting Stance

Athletes preparing for volleyball passing should begin by perfecting their stance. Passers should begin in a relaxed “athletic” stance, with the muscles ready and the legs bent. Weight should be carried on the balls of the feet, allowing athletes to move quickly without getting tripped up.

Volleyball passing happens after the opponent successfully clears the blocker, which means that passers will have a few moments after the play begins to really prepare. Passers should use this time to adjust their stance, allowing them to move in whatever direction the ball is heading.

Efficient Passing Movement

Because passers must beat the ball to its location, they must move efficiently. Efficient moving requires athletes to make as few movements as possible to arrive at their location. To do this, athletes should step first with the foot closest to the ball. Their body should stay “quiet,” meaning that the head and arms should not bounce around as they move but stay still and prepared.

Another way to improve efficiency in movement is to build strength and power behind each step. Athletes should work on improving leg strength so that each step explodes off the ground and propels the athlete forward.

Aiming the Pass

Athletes must understand the relationship between the position of their shoulders and the direction the ball will go. Athletes wanting to pass in front of them should position their bodies directly behind the ball with their shoulders square. The body in general should be facing where the ball is intended to go.

When passing to the right, athletes should drop their right shoulder. The athlete’s body should also be slightly to the left of the ball, not straight on like when passing forward. The same is true for passing to the left, with athletes dropping their left shoulder instead.

Achieving Consistency

The best passers are successful because they are consistent. They understand how important it is to have a properly passed ball so the setter can do their job and the hitter can get the ball over the net.

Athletes can achieve consistency in several ways. The first is to perfect and pay close attention to the hand and arm placement. Hands should always be clasped tightly with the wrists in line with the rest of the arm. The arms should be locked tight and the shoulders held strong.

Another way to achieve consistency is through repetition. Athletes must continually practice passing in order to master it. Practicing also helps athletes learn basic skills in volleyball.

Final Thoughts on Volleyball Passing

Volleyball passing requires athletes to start in the correct stance, move efficiently to meet the ball, and pass well consistently. Athletes should conserve movement by building lower body strength and keeping the head and shoulders still. They should start in a ready position, allowing them to move in any direction. Finally, athletes should practice regularly and ensure proper hand and arm placement to achieve consistency.

History of Volleyball

In 2011, the sport of Volleyball is 116 years old!

The sport originated in the United States, and is now just achieving the type of popularity in the U.S. that it has received on a global basis, where it ranks behind only soccer among participation sports.

Today there are more than 46 million Americans who play volleyball. There are 800 million players worldwide who play volleyball at least once a week.