Rules &
Disciplines

The indoor court measures 18 metres in length and 9 metres in width, divided into two equal halves by the net. A three-metre attack line runs parallel to the centre line in each half. Back-row players must attack from behind this line or after taking off behind it.

For men's indoor volleyball the net is set at 2.43 metres. For women it is 2.24 metres. The top of the net must remain taut at the centre. Two antenna extend above the net on each side, marking the sideline boundary for crossing shots.

Modern volleyball uses rally scoring: a point is awarded on every rally regardless of which team served. Sets are played to 25 points with a minimum two-point lead. If a deciding fifth set is required, it is played to 15 points with the same two-point rule.

The ball must pass completely over the net and between the antennas. It may contact any part of the body, including the feet. A team may make a maximum of three contacts before returning the ball. A block touch does not count as one of the three contacts.

Faults include: double contact by the same player, four contacts before the ball crosses the net, catching or throwing the ball, touching the net, crossing the centre line completely, back-row players attacking from in front of the attack line, and rotation violations at service.

When the receiving team wins a rally, all players rotate one position clockwise. The player moving into position one becomes the next server. Incorrect positional order at the moment of service is a rotation fault, awarding the point to the opposition.

The libero is a specialist back-row player identified by a distinctly coloured vest. The libero may replace any back-row player freely and without counting as a substitution. The libero cannot serve in all competition formats, cannot attack from above the net, and cannot block.

Each team is permitted six substitutions per set in FIVB rules. A player may only enter the game in the position previously held by the player they replace. The libero operates under a separate substitution system with unlimited entries per set.

Each team has two time-outs of 30 seconds per set. Technical time-outs of 60 seconds are taken automatically at the first stoppage after scores of 8 and 16 in sets one through four during major competitions. The fifth set has no technical time-outs.

Players, coaches, and team officials are expected to maintain respectful conduct. Misconduct is sanctioned in three levels: warning, penalty (point awarded to opponent), and expulsion. Aggressive behaviour toward officials may result in disqualification from the match.