What is rally scoring in volleyball?
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. It replaced the old sideout scoring system, in which only the serving team could score.
Full Explanation
Per FIVB Rule 6.1.3, under rally scoring (used in all modern volleyball), a rally is played out and a point is awarded to whichever team wins it, whether that team was serving or receiving. If the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and continues to serve; if the receiving team wins, it scores a point and must serve next, which is called a sideout. Under the old sideout scoring system, only the serving team could score: winning a rally as the receiving team only gained the serve, not a point. Rally scoring creates faster matches with more predictable lengths, eliminates long service runs, and gives every rally scoring significance for both teams. Sets are won by the first team to reach 25 points with a minimum 2-point lead (FIVB Rule 6.2). The deciding set (set 5, or set 3 in USAV best-of-3 matches) is played to 15 points with a 2-point lead (FIVB Rule 6.3.2). FIVB, NFHS, NCAA and USAV do not use a point cap. In NFHS best-of-3 matches, which state associations may adopt, all three sets are played to 25. NFHS, NCAA, and USAV all use rally scoring.
Rulesets covered: FIVB/USAV/NFHS/NCAA | Rule Reference: FIVB Rule 6.1.3; FIVB Rule 6.2; FIVB Rule 6.3.2; NFHS Rule 1-4; NCAA Rule 8.2.3
Primary sources:
- Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 (FIVB)
- 2025-27 USAV Indoor Rulebook (USA Volleyball)
- NFHS Volleyball Rules (National Federation of State High School Associations)
- NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Book (NCAA Publications)
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