Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Indoor Volleyball

A good team can win a volleyball game when they are ahead, a great team can win when they are behind. Separated by a net, with two sets of teams, volleyball is a true team game that requires intense organisational teamwork to win a match. If you are new to volleyball, you’ll learn there are no prima donnas in this sport!

Volleyball basics and rules

Volleyball matches contain two teams of six on an indoor court measuring 9m by 18m. According to the basic rules and volleyball rules, a team consists of six players arranged in specific court positions. The teams are divided by a high net that is set at 2.24m for women and 2.43m for men.

During play, each team is permitted three touches to return the ball back over the net into the opposition’s court, as outlined in the basic rules. Although each player is not allowed to consecutively touch the ball.

The basic play begins with a serve, followed by passing, setting, and attacking, all of which are governed by the basic rules. Points are scored when the ball hits the opposing team’s floor within their half of the court, with on a line counting as in their half. The opposition team do everything they can to avoid the ball hitting the floor and seek to return to the other team’s half of the court.

Should the team win a point, they will serve next. If the team won the previous point, the same player will continue to serve the ball to the opposition; if not, the server is rotated among the six players on the team.

The six players in each team are arranged into two rows of three and rotate clockwise when serving. The front rows are the offence and the back row, the defence.

To play at a high level, players must master the six basic skills: serving, passing, setting, attacking, blocking, and digging.

Volleyball matches typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, with each game within the match lasting around 20 minutes. Indoor volleyball matches are played best of five sets. Modern indoor volleyball uses rally point scoring (also known as rally scoring), where a point is awarded on every rally regardless of which team served. The clock is stopped during games, so there are no opportunities to run down the clock and waste time. One team must win three games to win the match.

The indoor volleyball court

Court dimensions

The indoor volleyball court is a standardised playing area designed to ensure fairness and consistency, whether you’re watching a local recreational league or the Olympic Games. 

Measuring 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, the volleyball court is split evenly by a net, creating two halves for the two teams. These dimensions are used at every level, from school gyms to the world championships, so players and fans can expect the same setup wherever volleyball is played. 

This uniformity helps teams develop strategies and skills that translate across all competitions, making the indoor volleyball court a familiar stage for every volleyball match.

Court features

A closer examination of the indoor volleyball court reveals several key features that influence the way the game is played. The net stretches across the centre line, dividing the court into two sides and setting the stage for every rally. 

The attack line, also known as the 3-meter line, runs parallel to the net and separates the front row players from the back row players. This line is crucial for determining which players can legally attack the ball near the net. The boundary lines mark the outer edges of the volleyball court, and any ball landing on or inside these lines is considered in play. 

The centre line runs directly beneath the net, splitting the court into two halves and helping row players maintain their positions. Understanding these key court features is essential for playing volleyball, as they influence everything from serving and attacking to defensive positioning and team strategy. Whether you’re a front row player preparing to spike or a back row player ready to dig, knowing your place on the court is vital for successful play.

Player positions and roles

The setter

In every volleyball team, the setter is the playmaker—the player who orchestrates the offence and sets the pace of the volleyball game. 

Usually positioned in the front row, the setter’s main job is to deliver accurate sets to the attackers, giving them the best chance to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court. A great setter has quick hands, sharp vision, and the ability to make split-second decisions, reading the defence and choosing the right attacker for each play. 

Volleyball players in the setter position must also communicate effectively with their teammates, ensuring that every offensive play is executed smoothly and efficiently. By mastering the art of setting and working closely with the front row, the setter helps the team capitalise on every opportunity to score, making them an essential part of any winning volleyball team.

Volleyball offence & defence hits and scoring

The receiving team, which is responsible for returning the serve, has three hits to return the ball back across the net. This process involves ball passing, where teammates move the ball between each other in a unique sequence known as “bump, set and spike” without the ball touching the court floor.

Once the ball has been served, the first player to touch the ball (usually in the back row) uses a controlled hit called a bump that hits the ball high in the air—allowing the other players a short period to think about the next move logically. This is where the “setter” comes in and “sets” the ball in a position just above the net on their courtside. 

Lastly, an attacking player will then hit the ball hard, down towards the opponent’s court so that they cannot return the ball. The strike of this ball is known as a “spike,” and the attacked ball is hit forcefully toward the opponent’s court. Offensive plays often involve coordinating these actions, and teams may also use back row attacks, where a back row player jumps from behind the attack line to hit the ball, adding more attacking options.

The opposing team will attempt to block the spike, sometimes using a double block, where two players coordinate to block the attack. If this is missed, then the team’s defensive players will try to perform a bump and the cycle sequence of bump, set, and spike continues until the ball hit touches the floor and a point is scored. Teams use a defensive system, such as specific formations to cover the court, and may utilize a defensive specialist who can substitute for weaker defenders to improve reception and defense.

A point is awarded when the ball lands in the opponent’s court. The team serving continues to serve until they lose a point, then the opponent begins to serve the ball. Violations such as a double hit, where a player contacts the ball twice in succession, can also result in a loss of point or rally.

Within each game, teams must accumulate 25 points and win by at least two points. The first team to win three games will win the match. Should each team have won two games, then the deciding fifth game is played but only to 15 points (still winning by two points).

Volleyball plays

In volleyball there are four types of play that teams prepare and execute against opponents. They are as follows:

Sometimes, two opposing players may contact the ball simultaneously above the net. If the officials determine it was a simultaneous hit, the point is replayed.

The Serve

This when a player stands behind the back line and serves the ball with the aim to drive it into the opponent’s court. The serve can be a softer (and less fast) underarm action or thrown in the air and “struck” harder to reach further. Just like a tennis ace, if the ball directly hits the court or an opposition player touches it, and the ball travels outside of the court.

The Bump, or Pass

The pass is the attempt by one team to receive the opponents serve and prepare the ball for returning across the net. Hence, not only has the defensive play ensure the ball does not hit the court floor, but it must be “bumped” well so setters can prepare a ball for a strike.

The Set

When done right, this technique looks effortless. The main aim of the setter is to place the ball in the air in such a way that it can be struck hard by an attacker so that the ball can be driven into the opponent’s court where they find it hard to return.

The Spike

The spike, is typically the third and final contact one team makes with the ball. The goal is to handle the ball in such a way so that the ball lands in the opponent’s court and cannot be returned or returned easily. A player who will make the spike will make a series of steps as part of their “approach” – jumping and then striking the ball.

Volleyball rotation & switching

Within volleyball, the player’s positions are numbered one through six, and each player has a specific court position with defined responsibilities. The server is always placed in the right-hand back corner and serves from behind the end line. Should the serving team lose the point, then the players move one position to their right (in a clockwise rotation), maintaining their court positions on their side of the court.

As mentioned, there are two banks of three players, the front line being the “attack” or offence and the back row, also known as the back court, being the defence. Players that are rotated in the back court are not permitted to “attack” the ball unless they are part of the third contact, the “spike.” This is to ensure that big hitters do not dominate the game. The side of the net and side of the court are important reference points for positioning and play.

Teams switch sides of the court after each set to ensure fairness, and the rotation of first-serve opportunities alternates between teams for each set.

Although it’s possible for teams to not switch positions if they win consecutive points, it is essential to know that no player can switch to another place until the ball goes over the net.

How to bet on indoor volleyball: know the game

Indoor volleyball is a fast-paced, high-energy team sport played on a hard court, typically indoors. It demands strong coordination, sharp reflexes, and seamless teamwork. With six players per side and frequent rotations, every point becomes a tactical battle of spikes, blocks, digs, and sets. If you understand the basics—scoring systems, player positions, and common tactics—you’re already on your way to appreciating the intensity of the game played on both indoor volleyball courts and sand courts.

Betting on indoor volleyball

Volleyball offers a variety of betting markets, suitable for both newcomers and seasoned punters:

• Match winner – Predict the team that will win the match, whether it’s the same team you support or the other team.
• Set betting – Wager on the final scoreline (e.g., 3–1).
• Total points (over/under) – Bet on whether the total points will be above or below a set number.
• Handicap markets – Back a team to win with a point handicap to improve the odds.
• Set winner – Bet on which team will win a particular set.
• Correct score – Forecast the exact score of a set or match.

Factors to consider when betting:

• Team form and international rankings – Current performance and past matchups often indicate likely outcomes, especially in international competition where national teams compete.
• Tournament type – Club-level leagues, including recreational leagues, differ in style and strength from international competitions. National teams represent their countries in global tournaments, while local clubs and recreational leagues offer more casual formats.
• Injuries and substitutions – Even one missing starter can tip the balance.
• Home advantage – Especially relevant in club competitions with passionate local support.

When referencing governing bodies, it’s important to note that USA Volleyball and the United States Volleyball Association play key roles in organizing and supporting the sport in the U.S., including the management of national teams for international competition.

Volleyball played around the world includes many variations. Beach volleyball is played outdoors on a sand court with smaller teams, while snow volleyball is an emerging winter sport played on snow with three players per side. Sitting volleyball, an adapted form for athletes with disabilities, is played indoors with unique rules and court dimensions. These variations of the game played offer different experiences and attract diverse participants.

If you’re just starting out, explore betting tipsters who specialise in volleyball or niche team sports. For experienced bettors, using arbitrage betting software can help compare odds across sportsbooks and uncover hidden value.

Whether you’re following the FIVB World Championship, Olympic qualifiers, or European leagues, volleyball’s dynamic structure and close contests, across all formats and environments, make it an innovative and engaging choice for informed bettors.