Your A-B-C of Dig, Set, Spike
Volleyball is a complex game of simple skills.
A team can touch the ball three times on its side of the net. The usual pattern is a dig (an underarm pass made with the forearms), a set (an overhead pass made with the hands) and a spike (the overhead attacking shot). The ball is served into play. Teams can also try to block the opponent's spike as it crosses the net. A block into your own court counts as one of your three touches in beach volleyball, but not in volleyball.
Volleyball is a team-play game, sinergy among team-mates is the most important.
overall, this game is about defence and attacking.- Service
A serve begins each rally.
- Dig
The 'dig' is a forearm pass that is used to control the ball and pass it to the setter at the net.
- The 'set' is an overhead pass used to change the direction of the dig and put the ball in a good position for the spiker.
- Spike
Crack! The 'spike' is when the ball is hit or smashed across the net. It is the most powerful shot in volleyball - and the most effective way to win a rally. - Block
This is the first line of defence in volleyball. The objective of the 'block' is to stop the spiked ball from crossing the net or to channel the spike to defenders. - The Ball
After testing many colours, the FIVB introduced a ball with yellow, blue and white panels at the World Championships in Japan in 1998. It replaced the traditional all-white ball. - The Rally Point System
In 1998 the FIVB also tried some different scoring systems. At its World Congress in October 1998, the FIVB ratified the 'rally point' system. Every rally would now earn a point. The first four sets are played to 25, but the winning team must be ahead by at least two points. The fifth set is played to 15 - and again the winner must have a two-point margin.
- The Libero
Since Atlanta 1996, the FIVB has also introduced a new specialised defensive player: the 'libero'. The libero can perform only as a backcourt player and may not play an attacking shot (when the ball is hit back across the net), serve or block. The libero must wear a jersey with a different colour or design than those of other team members. - Rotate!
Each of the six players on an indoor team rotates a position after winning back service from the opponent.
A team must be in correct rotation order before the serve is put into play. Once the ball is served, the players can move positions but backcourt players cannot move to the net to block or spike. The rotation rule explains why a setter often appears to be 'hiding' behind his or her players before a point. The setter must be in proper rotation order before sprinting to the net or a point is given to the opposition.
available from http://www.fivb.com/
