Volleyball Rules Reference.

Points Needed to Win a Set

A set (except the deciding set) is won by the team that first scores 25 points with a minimum 2-point lead. There is no point cap; play continues until one team leads by 2.

USAV follows FIVB scoring: 25 points to win a set with a minimum 2-point lead, no cap.

A set is won by the team that first scores 25 points with a 2-point lead. Sets 1-4 are capped at 27 points (first team to 27 wins regardless of lead).

A set is won by the team that first scores 25 points with a minimum 2-point lead. No cap.

Points Needed to Win the Deciding Set

The deciding set (set 5) is played to 15 points with a minimum 2-point lead. No cap.

The deciding set is played to 15 points with a 2-point lead. No cap.

The deciding set is played to 15 points with a 2-point lead, capped at 17 points.

The deciding set is played to 15 points with a minimum 2-point lead. No cap.

Timeouts Per Set

Each team is entitled to a maximum of 2 timeouts per set, each lasting 30 seconds. Unused timeouts do not carry to the next set. International matches also include 2 Technical Timeouts (at points 8 and 16) not available in domestic play.

Each team receives 2 timeouts per set, each 30 seconds. No technical timeouts in domestic competition.

Each team receives 2 timeouts per set. Each timeout is 30 seconds. No technical timeouts.

Each team receives 2 timeouts per set. Each timeout is 30 seconds.

Substitutions Allowed Per Set

Each team may make a maximum of 6 substitutions per set. Libero replacements are not counted as substitutions.

Each team may make a maximum of 12 substitutions per set in most domestic competition levels. Libero replacements are not counted.

Each team is allowed 18 substitutions per set. A player and substitute may enter and leave the game multiple times but each exchange counts toward the limit.

Each team is allowed 15 substitutions per set. Libero replacements do not count.

Challenge / Video Review System

At events with the required technology, each team receives 2 challenge requests per set. A challenge is a request to review a referee decision (typically ball in/out) via video replay. If upheld (call overturned), the team retains the challenge. If denied, the team loses one challenge. Challenges may not be used for judgment calls such as lifts or doubles.

USAV domestic competition does not require a video challenge system. Video review may be used at National Championship events at the discretion of organizers. Standard domestic competition relies solely on referee judgment.

NFHS high school rules do not include a video challenge system. All referee decisions are final during play. Video review is not a standard part of high school volleyball.

NCAA Division I volleyball uses a video review system at equipped venues for line calls (ball in/out). Teams may request a review of a line call, but the number of reviews, procedures, and availability vary by conference and event. The system is not universally available at all NCAA venues.

Libero Serving Rights

The libero is not allowed to serve.

The libero may not serve. (USAV follows FIVB on this rule.)

The libero may serve, but only in one rotational position per set.

The libero may not serve.

Libero Attack Restrictions

The libero may not complete an attack hit where the ball is entirely above the height of the net, from any position on the court. Additionally, no player may complete an attack hit on a ball that was set by the libero using an overhand finger action while the libero was in front of the attack line (FIVB Rule 19.3.1.4).

Same as FIVB: libero may not attack above net height from any position.

The libero may not attack the ball when the ball is entirely above the height of the net.

Same as FIVB: libero may not attack above net height from any position on the court.

Back-Row Attack Rule

A back-row player (positions 1, 5, 6) commits a fault by completing an attack hit when: the ball is entirely above the net AND the player's takeoff was from at or in front of the 3-meter attack line.

Same as FIVB. Back-row attack fault when ball is above net and takeoff is at or in front of the 3-meter line.

Same restriction as FIVB. Back-row player may not attack from in front of or on the 3-meter line when the ball is entirely above the net at contact.

Same as FIVB. A back-row player faults when attacking above net height with takeoff at or forward of the attack line.

Net Height

The top of the net is set at 2.43 m (7 ft 11-5/8 in) for men's play and 2.24 m (7 ft 4-1/8 in) for women's play, measured at the center of the court.

Same as FIVB: 2.43 m for men, 2.24 m for women.

Net height is 7 ft 11-5/8 in (2.43 m) for boys/men and 7 ft 4-1/8 in (2.24 m) for girls/women, consistent with FIVB.

Net height is 7 ft 11-5/8 in (2.43 m) for men and 7 ft 4-1/8 in (2.24 m) for women.

Court Dimensions

The playing court is 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, divided into two equal courts of 9 x 9 meters by the center line. The free zone around the court must be at least 3 meters wide on the sides and 5 meters behind the end lines (at international level). The total playing area ceiling height must be at least 12.5 meters.

Same as FIVB: 18m x 9m playing court with at least 3m free zones on the sides and 5m behind end lines for international/national events. Domestic competitions may use slightly reduced free zones.

The court is 60 feet (18.29m) long and 30 feet (9.14m) wide. The playing area must have a minimum ceiling height of 23 feet (7m) above the playing surface. A free zone of at least 6 feet on the sides and 8 feet behind the end lines is recommended.

The court is 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, consistent with FIVB dimensions. A minimum ceiling height of 23 feet is specified for competition venues.

Ball Specifications

The ball must be spherical, made of a flexible leather or synthetic leather case with a bladder inside. Circumference: 65-67 cm. Mass: 260-280 g. Inside pressure: 0.300-0.325 kg/cm2 (294.3-318.82 mbar). Color: uniform light color or combination of colors per FIVB approval.

Same specifications as FIVB: circumference 65-67 cm, mass 260-280 g, pressure 0.300-0.325 kg/cm2. The ball used must be FIVB-approved or USAV-approved.

The ball must be leather or official-quality synthetic material. Circumference: 25.5-26.5 inches (65-67 cm). Weight: 9-10 oz (255-283 g). Pressure: 4.5-5.5 psi (0.316-0.386 kg/cm2).

The ball must meet FIVB specifications: circumference 65-67 cm, mass 260-280 g, pressure 0.300-0.325 kg/cm2. The ball shall be FIVB-approved or NCAA-approved.

Antenna Dimensions and Rules

Each antenna is a flexible fiberglass rod, 1.8 m long and 10 mm in diameter, weighing approximately 35g. The top 1 m of each antenna extends above the net and is marked with alternating 10 cm bands of red and white. The antennas are placed on the outer edges of the sideline bands of the net. The ball must cross the net between the antennas.

Same as FIVB: antennas are 1.8 m long, 10 mm diameter, extending 1 m above the net. Marked with red and white bands. Ball must cross between the antennas.

Antennas are placed at the outer edge of each sideline tape on the net. They extend at least 32 inches (81 cm) above the top of the net. Alternate colored bands mark the antennas. The ball is out if it contacts an antenna or passes outside the imaginary extensions of the antennas above the net.

Same as FIVB: antennas are 1.8 m long, 10 mm diameter, extending 1 m above the net, marked with 10 cm alternating red and white bands.

Rotation Fault Penalty

A rotation fault results in: a point awarded to the opponent, service awarded to the opponent, and cancellation of all points scored by the faulty team since the fault was committed. The opponent retains all points scored during that period.

Same as FIVB: point and serve to opponent, faulty team's points since the error cancelled.

A serving-order fault results in a point and serve to the opponent. Points scored out of order are nullified for the offending team.

Same as FIVB: point, serve, and cancellation of points scored since the fault.

Net Touch Rule

A player faults if they touch the net or the antenna between the antennas during an action of playing the ball. Contact with the net outside the antenna or incidental contact that does not affect play is not a fault. The penalty is a point for the opponent.

Same as FIVB: touching the net between the antennas during a playing action is a fault. Contact outside the antennas or incidental non-interfering contact is not penalized.

A player may not touch the net during play. NFHS rules are slightly stricter: any contact with the net during play on the attacker's side is a violation. Contact with the net by the server's follow-through is also addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Same as FIVB: net contact between the antennas during a playing action is a fault. Incidental contact or contact outside the antennas is not penalized.

Centerline Rule (Crossing Line Fault)

A player faults if they completely cross the centerline with a foot or hand to the opponent's court. Partial crossing is permitted if some part of the crossing foot or hand remains on or above the centerline. Body parts above the floor (legs, torso, arms) may cross the net plane if they do not interfere with the opponent.

Same as FIVB: complete crossing of the centerline with a foot or hand is a fault. Partial crossing is allowed if the crossing foot or hand contacts or is above the centerline.

A player may not completely cross the centerline to the opponent's side. NFHS applies the same partial-crossing allowance: a player may cross with a foot or hand provided some part of it is on or above the center line.

Same as FIVB: complete crossing is a fault; partial contact with the centerline is permitted. Interference with the opponent's play is the key standard.

Let Serve Rule (Ball Touching Net on Serve)

A served ball that touches the net and crosses to the opponent's court is legal and play continues. This rule was adopted by FIVB in 2000; prior to that year, any net touch on the serve was a fault.

Same as FIVB: a let serve (net touch) that crosses over is legal.

A served ball that contacts the net and passes over into the receiving team's court is legal (let serve). Same rule as FIVB.

A let serve (net touch on service) that crosses the net is legal. Same as FIVB.

Service Fault Rules

A service fault (point and serve to opponent) occurs when: the server does not toss and strike the ball, the ball is caught or aided by a teammate, the ball does not cross the net or passes outside the antenna, the ball lands out of bounds, the ball contacts a player on the serving team, or the server commits a foot fault (touches the end line at contact). The server has 8 seconds after the referee's whistle to serve.

Same as FIVB. Service fault occurs for foot fault, ball out of bounds, ball failing to cross the net, or illegal serving action. The 8-second service rule applies.

NFHS service faults include: foot fault (stepping on or over the end line before contact), ball landing out of bounds, ball failing to cross the net, and serving from outside the service zone. The server has 5 seconds after the whistle to serve (stricter than FIVB's 8 seconds).

Service faults are the same as FIVB: ball out of bounds, net fault, foot fault. The server has 8 seconds from the referee's whistle to contact the ball.

Screening Rule

The serving team must not screen the opponents from seeing the server or the served ball. A collective screen is formed by two or more players standing in a line in the direction of the serve, or by waving arms or jumping. A single player may not screen by standing in a straight line with the ball trajectory. Screening fault = point and serve to opponent.

Same as FIVB: individual or collective screening is a fault. Players standing legally in rotational position are not screening unless they wave arms or jump to obstruct the receiver's view.

Screening is illegal under NFHS rules. Players on the serving team may not take positions or make movements that prevent the receiving team from seeing the server or the ball. The penalty is a point and serve for the receiving team.

Same as FIVB: screening is a service fault. The receiving team must have a clear view of the server at the moment of contact.