Volleyball is a game of team coordination, agility, and attention. If you have a kid on the youth volleyball team at any level, practicing hard in custom volleyball uniforms, you should know the basics about the game.
Here is the complete basic guide for parents to know everything about youth volleyball so that they can support their young players to thrive in their custom volleyball uniforms.
What Is Volleyball
Volleyball is a sport in which two teams, in their custom volleyball uniforms, play against each other to win a match. There are many variations in the number of players in a team. The time of the game also varies. However, the most common youth indoor volleyball has 6 players on the team.
Each point is initiated with the serve. This is called a “rally”. The winner of the rally gets a point, regardless of which team served the ball. In addition, each team can only contact the ball thrice. After that, it must go over the net to the other team.
Winner of the match
The set points or the number of wins in each game decides the winning team for a volleyball match. For youth volleyball, a team must win 2 games out of 3 to be declared the winner. However, for high school and college level volleyball, a team must win 3 games out of 5 to win the match.
Points Per Game
Each set or game in youth volleyball is played for 25 points. However, the final or deciding set is 15 points. The winner of each set must win by 2 points unless the local tournament changes the rules.
Types of Contacts in Youth Volleyball
Forearm Pass:
A forearm “Pass” is the one in which the player plays the ball when receiving a serve.
Forearm Dig:
A “Dig” is the defense against the attack or spike of the other team.
Overhead pass or dig resembles a “set” more. In this type of contact, the player passes or digs the ball approaching the player’s shoulder or even higher than that. In other words, volleyball is not feasible to play with the forearm.
Set:
A “Set” is the type of contact that sets up the hitter for the attack. A team has a specific player for setting the ball most of the time known as a “setter”. The contact with the ball and hands is normally above the head. However, the setter can also set the ball by using the forearm pass.
Spike/Attack:
An attack or a Spike is rapid swinging of the arm to make the ball tougher and difficult to dig. Any point generated from the attack is called a “kill”. Besides that, an attack can also be made by a tip-and-roll shot.
Serve:
The serving of the ball begins the rally. An effective “serve” gets the opponent team on its heels from the beginning of the game. If the server’s team wins the rally, that server has another opportunity to serve. But if the team loses the rally, that server is done with their serving. When the team wins another rally, the next person in line to serve will serve.
There are multiple ways to make an effective serve. This includes underhand serve, overhand serve, jump float serve, and jump topspin serve.
The Volleyball Court
The standard volleyball court for the youth volleyball games is divided into 2 even squares. The dimension of each square is 9 x 9 m. This makes the total court dimensions to be 18 x 9 meters which approximately makes 30’ by 60’.
In addition, there are two sidelines and two end lines that mark the perimeter of the court. Also, there is a center line that divides the court into exactly two halves. This center line is directly underneath the net. Furthermore, there is an attack line that is 3 m behind the center line in both squares. It refers to a 3 m line or 19 ft line.
The Net
The Volleyball net is above the center line of the court. Its length is equal to the width of the court. In addition, the net height for the youth volleyball team is 7 ft 11 5/8 inches, or 2.43 m for men, and 7 ft and 4 ⅛ inches, or 2.24 m for women.
The antennas are long and flexible fiberglass rods that extend vertically on the sidelines of the volleyball net. When the ball passes over the net, the antennas decide if the ball is in play or out of bounds. The antennas limit the ball crossing space. The height of the antenna is 5.9 ft or 1.8 m. Whereas its diameter is 0.4 inches or 10 mm.
Volleyball Violation Rules
Net Violation Rules for Youth Volleyball team:
- For youth volleyball games, the teams can not touch the net at all, during the play.
- However, for the club youth level matches, the team can touch the volleyball net as long as they are not touching the white tape at the top of the net.
Center Line Violation for Youth Volleyball team:
- The center line violation for youth volleyball teams at the club level can only occur if the footsteps of the player are on or over the line such that it interferes with the opponent’s play on the other side of the court.
Other Typical Faults:
- It is not allowable for any player to touch the ball for too long.
- It is a foul play if the ball lands outside the court or in the opponent’s court. Also, if the ball fails to go over the net, it is a foul.
- After the “serve” is made, no player is allowed to jump up to screen the shot.
Position of the Players
Setter
The setter also refers to the quarterback of the volleyball team. The setter is responsible to initiate the offense on the opponent’s team. This player handles the second contact of the three possible contacts. They usually set the ball to the front or back attacker of the team. However, they also have the option of “setter’s dump” in which the setter sends the ball to the other side of the court. Also, effective communication between the setters and hitters is essential for effective play.
Hitter
The outside or left-side hitter typically attacks the ball from the left side of the position. The right-side hitter usually attacks from the right side of the setter in the front row. In addition, the hitters have the most passing duties. Also, they are the most six rotation players on the team.
Middle Blocker
The middle blocker or attacker usually attacks the ball from the middle of the court. They have a vast range of attack options to them. They can attack the ball closer to the left run. Also, they can make a “slide” and run to the right front to hit the ball.
In defense, the middle blockers are responsible for adding the second block to assist the left or right front player. They can also block the middle blocker of the opponent’s team. The middle blockers are usually the three rotation players. Besides, some middle blockers also have the option to serve.
Libero
The libero is the player who can roam around the court freely. The player wears the opposite color custom volley uniform from the rest of the team. They can enter and exit the court at any time without the need for substitution. Liberos are quick and agile in handling the shots from the opponent’s team. They pass the ball to the setters and attackers closer to the net. Typically, they are the middle blockers who rarely come closer to the net.
Conclusion
From basic rules to positions and types of contacts, this is a complete basic guide for parents about everything they need to know regarding youth volleyball to support and encourage their kids.
