How to Play Volleyball: Rotation, Touches and Scoring
Updated
In volleyball, two teams of six play on either side of a net and try to land the ball on the other team's floor. Each team may touch the ball up to three times before sending it over the net, not counting a block, and every rally scores a point. A set goes to 25 points with a two-point lead, and the first team to win three sets wins the match.
The rules below follow the FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 and the Wikipedia article on volleyball. Leagues and casual games change some details.
The court and the players
| Part | Standard |
|---|---|
| Court | 18 m long and 9 m wide, split in two by the net |
| Net | 2.43 m high for men, 2.24 m for women |
| Players | Six per team on the court: three in the front row at the net and three in the back row |
How a rally works
- The back-right player serves from behind the end line. They toss or release the ball and hit it over the net with one hand or any part of the arm, within 8 seconds of the referee's whistle.
- The receiving team has up to three touches to send the ball back. The usual sequence is a pass or bump, a set to a hitter, and a spike.
- You may play the ball with any part of your body, but you may not catch or throw it, and the same player may not touch it twice in a row.
- A block at the net does not count as one of the three touches, and the player who blocked may make the next touch.
- The rally goes on until the ball lands in the court, goes out, or a team makes a fault. A ball that touches a line is in, and a ball may touch the net as it goes over.
Scoring and winning
- Every rally scores a point. If the serving team wins it, that team scores and serves again. If the receiving team wins it, that team scores and serves next.
- A set is won by the first team to reach 25 points with a lead of two. At 24-24, play goes on until one team leads by two.
- The match goes to the first team to win three sets. At two sets each, a deciding fifth set is played to 15 points, again with a two-point lead.
- Leagues differ, and some play fewer sets, for example a match won by the first team to take two.
How rotation works
The six positions are numbered 1 to 6. The front row is 4 (left), 3 (center) and 2 (right), and the back row is 5 (left), 6 (center) and 1 (right). The player in position 1 serves.
When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains the serve and rotates one position clockwise. The player in position 2 moves to position 1 and serves, the player in 1 moves to 6, and so on around. While your team keeps winning rallies on its own serve, nobody rotates.
When the ball is served, the receiving team must stand in rotation order: each back-row player farther from the net than the front-row player in front of them. After the serve, players may move anywhere on their side. A wrong server or a wrong position gives the other team a point and the serve.
Common faults
| Fault | What happens |
|---|---|
| Four hits | A team touches the ball a fourth time before sending it over |
| Double contact | One player hits the ball twice in a row |
| Catch or throw | The ball is held instead of hit |
| Ball out | The ball lands outside the lines or hits an object outside the court |
| Net contact | A player touches the net between the antennae while playing the ball |
| Foot fault | The server touches the end line or the court while hitting the serve |
Every fault gives the other team the point.
Beach volleyball
Beach volleyball is played on sand with two players a side, on a court 16 m long and 8 m wide. A set goes to 21 points with a two-point lead, and the first team to win two sets wins. A deciding third set goes to 15, and teams switch sides every 7 points, or every 5 in the third set. The details come from the FIVB beach volleyball rules.
Volleyball games in your browser
Most of these games shrink the sport: you control a single character and matches are short. Netherton Volleyball is the exception, with a whole team in your hands. All of them play free in the browser, with no install and no registration.
- Netherton Volleyball is pixel-art volleyball where you call the shots for a 6v6 team: time your taps to serve, pass, dig and block, and pick your hitter. Its description says it follows real volleyball rules, with campaign matches played to 11 points.
- Volleyball Challenge has you serving and attacking: serve, bump, block, spike and lob to win points.
- Beach volleyball 3D has two people in a team, and you control one of them. The game runs to three scores.
- Funny Volleyball lets you control a character, jump and hit the ball to score the required points before the computer opponent does.
- Coconut Volley is beach volleyball on a tropical island, with a coconut for a ball. Keep it off the floor on your side of the net, alone against the computer or with a friend.
- Head Volleyball Sport Game calls itself a simplified version of volleyball: you jump and hit the ball with your foot or head.
NEW
More net and ball sports are in the sports category and the ball games guide.
Tips for better rallies
- Use all three touches. Pass to a setter, set a hitter and attack. If you cannot attack, send the ball over rather than risk a fourth touch.
- Play balls near the line. Any part of the ball touching the line makes it in.
- Know your rotation before the serve. The receiving team must be in order when the ball is served.
- Keep clear of the net. Touching it between the antennae while playing the ball is a fault.
Common questions about volleyball
How many touches are allowed in volleyball?
Three per team, not counting a block. A player may not touch the ball twice in a row, except in a block.
How does volleyball rotation work?
When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains the serve and every player rotates one position clockwise. The player in position 2 moves to position 1 and serves.
How many points is a volleyball set?
A set goes to 25 points with a two-point lead. The deciding fifth set goes to 15.
How many players are on a volleyball team?
Six on the court in indoor volleyball and two in beach volleyball.
Count your three touches, keep to your rotation, and most of the rest follows.
