Question 1

Can a libero serve in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Under FIVB and most USAV rules, the libero may not serve. However, NFHS (high school) rules allow the libero to serve in one rotational position per set.

Question 2

When does a team rotate in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A team rotates clockwise when it wins a rally while the opponent was serving (sideout). The serving team never rotates when it wins a rally.

Question 3

How many timeouts does each team get per set in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Under FIVB rules, each team gets 2 timeouts per set, each lasting 30 seconds. NFHS high school rules allow 2 timeouts per set as well. NCAA grants 2 timeouts per set.

Question 4

How many substitutions are allowed per set in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

FIVB allows 6 substitutions per team per set. NFHS (high school) allows 18 substitutions per set. NCAA allows 15 substitutions per set. Libero replacements never count as substitutions.

Question 5

What is rally scoring in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Rally scoring means a point is awarded on every single rally, regardless of which team served. The first team to 25 points (with a 2-point lead) wins the set. This replaced the old sideout scoring system.

Question 6

Can a libero attack the ball in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

The libero cannot complete an attack hit where the ball is entirely above the top of the net, from any position on the court. This applies under all major rulesets.

Question 7

What is a rotation fault in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A rotation fault occurs when a team serves out of the correct order. The opponent scores a point, gets the serve, and all points scored by the faulty team since the error are cancelled.

Question 8

How many players are on the court for each team in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Six players per team are on the court at a time, for a total of 12 players on the court during play.

Question 9

How many sets are in a volleyball match?

Accepted Answer

Most volleyball matches are best of 5 sets. The first team to win 3 sets wins the match. Some formats use best of 3 (first to win 2 sets).

Question 10

What happens if the ball hits the net on a serve?

Accepted Answer

If the served ball hits the net and lands in the opponent's court, the serve is legal and play continues. If it hits the net and does not clear, it is a service fault and the opponent scores.

Question 11

What is an overlap fault in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

An overlap fault (positional fault) occurs when players are not in their correct rotational positions at the moment of the serve. The team loses the rally and the opponent scores a point.

Question 12

Can a back-row player attack the ball in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A back-row player may attack the ball from behind the 3-meter attack line. They may not complete an attack hit where the ball is entirely above the net if they took off from at or in front of the line.

Question 13

How does a libero replacement work in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

The libero can enter and exit the court freely before any rally, replacing any back-row player, without it counting as a substitution. The exchange happens in the replacement zone during a dead ball.

Question 14

What is a let serve in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A let serve is when the ball clips the top of the net during a serve but still crosses into the opponent's court. Under current rules (since 2000), a let serve is legal and play continues.

Question 15

When do teams switch sides in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Teams switch sides (change courts) at the end of every set. In the deciding set, they also switch when one team reaches 8 points (FIVB/USAV) or 8 points (NFHS).

Question 16

Can a libero set with overhand finger action in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

The libero may set overhand from behind the attack line, and teammates may attack that set. But if the libero uses an overhand finger set from in front of the attack line, no player on the team may complete an attack hit on that ball above net height.

Question 17

What happens if the ball touches the antenna in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

If the ball contacts the antenna or passes outside the antenna, it is a fault. The opponent scores a point and gains the serve.

Question 18

How many challenges (video review requests) does a team get in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Under FIVB international rules, each team receives 2 challenge requests per set. If the challenge is successful, the team retains it. NCAA Division I also uses a review/challenge system. NFHS does not use video reviews.

Question 19

Can a player touch the net during volleyball play?

Accepted Answer

No. Touching the net between the antennas during an action of playing the ball is a fault. Incidental contact that does not affect play (such as contact outside the antennas or contact by a player's hair) is not called.

Question 20

What is the libero replacement zone in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

The libero replacement zone is the area between the attack line and the end line on the sideline near the scorer's table. The libero must enter and exit the court through this zone during a dead ball.

Question 21

When is a player called for a lift in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A lift (also called a carry) is called when the ball visibly comes to rest or is caught and thrown rather than cleanly rebounded. Per FIVB Rule 9.2.2, the contact must be clean and the ball must not be held.

Question 22

What constitutes a double contact in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A double contact is when a player contacts the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts two different body parts sequentially during a single action. It is a fault except on the team's first contact (serve-receive or block rebound).

Question 23

Can a serve touch the net in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under current rules (since 2000), a served ball that contacts the net and still crosses into the opponent's court is a legal serve and play continues.

Question 24

What is a screening violation in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A screening violation occurs when players on the serving team obstruct the receiving team's view of the server or the ball's trajectory at the moment of serve. It is a fault that awards a point and serve to the opponent.

Question 25

What are the back-row attack rules in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A back-row player may not complete an attack hit where the ball is entirely above the net if their jump takeoff was at or in front of the 3-meter attack line. Jumping from behind the line and landing in front is legal.

Question 26

How does the 5-1 rotation work in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

In a 5-1 system, one designated setter always sets regardless of whether they are in the front row or back row. This gives the team up to three front-row hitters when the setter is in the back row, and two hitters plus a setter dump option when the setter is front row.

Question 27

What is a foot fault in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A foot fault occurs when the server steps on or over the end line at the moment of contacting the ball for the serve. It is a service fault and the opponent scores a point.

Question 28

How many sets does a team need to win a volleyball match?

Accepted Answer

In a best-of-5 match, the first team to win 3 sets wins. In a best-of-3 match, the first team to win 2 sets wins. Sets 1-4 are played to 25 points; the deciding set to 15.

Question 29

How many points does it take to win a set in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Sets 1-4 require 25 points with a 2-point lead (NFHS caps at 27). The deciding set (set 5) requires 15 points with a 2-point lead (NFHS caps at 17).

Question 30

Can a player reach over the net to block in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only after the opponent has made their attack hit. A blocker may not touch the ball on the opponent's side before the attacker contacts it. Penetrating before the attack is a fault.

Question 31

What is the antenna rule in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

The ball must cross the net entirely between the two antennas (and their imaginary extensions). A ball that contacts the antenna or passes outside it is out of bounds and the opponent scores.

Question 32

What is a crossing line fault in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A crossing line fault (centerline violation) occurs when a player completely crosses to the opponent's side of the court at floor level. A player may partially cross if some part of their foot or hand remains on or above the centerline.

Question 33

What is the attack line in volleyball and who can cross it?

Accepted Answer

The attack line (3-meter line) divides the front zone from the back zone. Front-row players may attack and block anywhere. Back-row players may only complete attacks above net height if they take off from behind the line.

Question 34

Can the setter attack the ball in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A front-row setter may attack (dump) on the second contact from anywhere in the front zone. A back-row setter may not attack above net height from in front of the 3-meter attack line.

Question 35

What happens when both teams commit a fault simultaneously in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

When both teams commit a fault simultaneously (double fault), the rally is replayed with the same server. Neither team scores a point.

Question 36

What is a timeout and how many are allowed per set in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A timeout is a 30-second stoppage of play requested by a team. Each team gets 2 timeouts per set under FIVB, USAV, NFHS, and NCAA rules. Unused timeouts do not carry over.

Question 37

What is rally scoring and how does it differ from sideout scoring?

Accepted Answer

Rally scoring awards a point on every rally, regardless of which team served. Sideout scoring (the old system) only awarded points to the serving team. Rally scoring makes every contact important and produces more predictable match lengths.

Question 38

What is a sideout in volleyball?

Accepted Answer

A sideout is when the receiving team wins a rally, earning both a point and the right to serve. The receiving team then rotates before serving.

Question 39

What are the main differences between FIVB, USAV, NFHS, and NCAA volleyball rules?

Accepted Answer

Key differences include substitution limits (FIVB 6, USAV 12, NFHS 18, NCAA 15), libero serving (only NFHS allows it), point caps (only NFHS caps at 27/17), and technical timeouts (only FIVB international).

Question 40

What is the libero rule in high school (NFHS) volleyball?

Accepted Answer

Under NFHS rules, the libero may serve in one rotational position per set (unlike FIVB/NCAA where serving is prohibited). All other standard libero restrictions apply (no attacking above net height, no blocking, no front-row play).

Volleyball Rules Answered.

Common Volleyball Rules Questions.