Volleyball Draft
A net sport in which two teams hit a ball over the net and try to ground it on the opponent's side. Played indoors in sixes or on sand in pairs.
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How to start
What you need
- Volleyball (indoor leather or composite, or beach ball for sand)
- Court shoes (indoor) or bare feet (sand)
- Knee pads for indoor play
- Athletic clothing and sunscreen outdoors
Typical cost
A ball costs $20 to $60, knee pads $15 to $30, shoes $50 to $100; rec leagues $60 to $150 per season and open gyms $5 to $10 (approximate, varies by city).
Where to play
Community center open gyms, beach and sand courts, school gyms, parks with nets and rec leagues.
Rules
- Each team tries to ground the ball on the opponent's court.
- A team gets up to three touches to return the ball over the net.
- The same player cannot touch the ball twice in a row (except after a block).
- The serve starts each rally from behind the end line.
- Rally scoring awards a point to the winner of every rally.
- Games are usually played to 25 (or 21 in some formats), win by two.
- Players rotate clockwise when their team gains the serve.
- Touching the net or crossing the center line is a fault.
Drills
Passing in pairs 8 min
Pass an underhand bump back and forth with a partner using forearms together. Aim for 30 passes.
Setting wall drill 6 min
Set the ball above your forehead against a wall using fingertips, 30 times.
Serve targets 10 min
Serve from the baseline to zones on the other side. Use an underhand serve first.
Approach and hit 10 min
Practice a three-step approach and swing at a tossed ball, focusing on timing.
Defensive footwork 6 min
Practice dropping into a low ready position and shuffling side to side. Do 4 sets.
Etiquette
- Call 'mine' on loose balls to avoid collisions.
- Rotate positions fairly in pick-up games.
- Do not argue with line calls; play on.
Safety
- Wrap or tape fingers if you have sprain-prone joints.
- Avoid landing on someone else's foot under the net.
- Wear knee pads when diving.
Levels
- 1Learning to pass and serve underhand.
- 2Can serve, bump and set in a rally.
- 3Plays rec or open gyms; understands rotation.
- 4Competitive in leagues with consistent hitting and defense.
- 5Plays at high school varsity, club or collegiate level.
Questions
Indoor or beach: which should I start with?
Whichever is easier to access; beach teaches ball control and indoor teaches team systems.
Do I need to jump high?
Not at first; passing, setting and positioning matter more.
How many players do I need?
Six per side indoors and two per side on the beach, but you can practice with two or three.
Draft guide: written from general knowledge and not yet checked by someone who plays volleyball. Costs are approximate and vary by city. Check with a coach or doctor before starting anything new.