With the Norwalk High fall sports underway, we’re here to provide a detailed guide to the sport of volleyball so you can be prepared to cheer on our Norwalk High bears as they conquer the court this season. The basic rules and regulations of volleyball are similar over all variations. Two teams are set up on either side of the net and each team has 6 players. There is a “front row” and a “back row” that are divided by the ten foot line on each side. The front row’s bases consist of an outside hitter on the left, a middle blocker, and an opposite or right side hitter on the right. In the back row, there is a defensive specialist (D.S.) in the right back, libero in the middle back, and setter in the left back.
Rules
Winning a Match: One team needs to win three sets. Each set is to 25, unless the game continues to 5 sets which is played to 15 points.
Rotating: The players rotate clockwise on the court and certain positions substitute off the court to play specifically front row or back row.
Scoring: A point is won when the ball lands inside the lines of the opposite team’s court or the other team makes an error. For example, a player misses a serve or hits the ball out of bounds. A team also must get the ball over the net in up to three touches of the ball or the other team will get the point.
Basic Positions
Positions in volleyball all have different functions. However, they all work together to get the ball over the net and hopefully score a point.
Libero
A libero is responsible for digging the ball when the other team hits, receiving the serve, and keeping the ball in play. This position is most popularly played by the shortest player on the team.
Setter
A setter receives the ball from one of the passers and sets to any one of the hitters for them to send it over the net.
- Sets either Outside, Middle, or Right Side hitter
- After a passer passes the ball to target (setter’s base) is when the hitters are set
Defensive Specialist
A D.S. has a similar job to the libero, but they protect the left side of the court. They specialize in defense and keep the ball in play during rallies.
Outside Hitter
Their job is to attack the ball onto the other team’s court on the third touch, and to pass in some rotations.
- During out of rotation setting, when the setter gets the first ball, the outside is almost always set in that
- Outside Hitters get set the most often in games
Middle Blocker
A middle blocker is responsible for defending attacks from the other team. They block hits and do high speed attacks themselves
- Middles are usually the tallest on the team in order to get max blocking ability
- They can initiate double blocks with outside or right side hitters
Right Side Hitter
A Right Side hitter is similar to the outside hitter, but on the opposite side of the net then them, behind the setter.
- Right Sides are also called Opposite hitters
- They don’t get set as often as the middle blocker or outside
Test Your Knowledge
Even with all these rules, the game of volleyball can change depending on what and where your watching or playing it. However, this information will help you understand the basics of indoor volleyball. Come test your knowledge at the upcoming Norwalk High Girls Volleyball games! Some upcoming games are 9/30 vs. Fairfield Ludlowe, 10/8 vs. Danbury HS, and 10/13 vs. Fairfield Warde. Come support your fellow Norwalk High bears on the court!
