Indoor rules
Volleyball rules in plain words
The 15 rules that decide most rallies, eight more for when you know the basics, and what changed in 2025. Each one carries its number in the official FIVB rulebook 2025–2028, so you can look it up.
The rules in 15 points
What every player should know
Short versions for understanding the game. In a match, the official text decides.
The court
The court is 18 × 9 m. The centre line under the net splits it into two halves of 9 × 9 m. On each side the attack line, 3 m from the centre line, marks off the front zone. Around the court lies a free zone at least 3 m wide.
Rules 1.1, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.4.1The net
The top of the net is 2.43 m high for men and 2.24 m for women. The antennae, 1.80 m long, stand above the side lines; their top 80 cm rise above the net.
Rules 2.1.1, 2.4The ball
An indoor ball measures 65–67 cm around and weighs 260–280 g.
Rule 3.1Teams
Six players per team are on court. A team may list up to 12 players (14 in FIVB senior competitions), and up to two of them may be liberos.
Rules 4.1.1, 7.3.1, 19.1.1Points and sets
Every rally ends with a point. If the receiving team wins it, it also gets the serve. A set goes to 25 points with a two-point lead, and the first team to win three sets wins the match. A deciding fifth set goes to 15, again with a two-point lead.
Rules 6.1.3, 6.2, 6.3.1, 6.3.2Three hits
A team has at most three hits to send the ball back. The same player may not play the ball twice in a row. A touch at the block does not count as one of the three.
Rules 9.1, 9.1.1, 14.4.1A clean contact
The ball may touch any part of the body, feet included. It must not be caught or thrown. On the team's first hit it may touch several body parts one after another, as long as it all happens in one action.
Rules 9.2.1, 9.2.2, 9.2.3.2At the net
Touching the net between the antennae while playing the ball is a fault. A foot may cross into the opponents' court as long as part of it stays on or directly above the centre line, and reaching into their space under the net is allowed as long as it does not interfere with their play.
Rules 11.2.1, 11.2.2.1, 11.3.1The serve
Players serve in the order on the line-up sheet. The server has 8 seconds after the referee's whistle and must not touch the court, end line included, at the moment of the hit. Teammates must not screen the server, and since 2025 they may not raise their hands above their heads until the ball has crossed the net.
Rules 12.2.1, 12.4.3, 12.4.4, 12.5.1, 12.5.3Rotation
When the serve is hit, the receiving team must stand in rotational order: positions 4, 3 and 2 in the front row, 5, 6 and 1 in the back row. Since the 2025–2028 rules the serving team may stand anywhere on its own court. After the serve everyone may move freely. When a team wins the serve back, its players move one position clockwise.
Rules 7.4, 7.4.1, 7.4.4, 7.6.2Back-row players
A back-row player may attack a ball that is entirely above the net only after taking off behind the attack line. In the front zone they may only play a ball that is partly below the top of the net. Only front-row players may block.
Rules 13.2.2, 13.2.3, 14.1.1, 14.6.2The libero
The libero wears a different colour from the rest of the team and may replace any back-row player. The libero may not serve, block or try to block. Libero replacements are unlimited and don't count as substitutions, but a completed rally must come between two of them.
Rules 19.2, 19.3.1.1, 19.3.1.3, 19.3.2.1Time-outs and substitutions
Each team has two 30-second time-outs and six substitutions per set. A starting player may go off and come back once per set, and only to the same place in the line-up.
Rules 15.1, 15.4.1, 15.6.1, 15.6.2In or out
The ball is in when any part of it touches the court, lines included. It is out only when every part that touches the floor is completely outside the lines.
Rules 8.3, 8.4.1Changing ends
Teams change ends after every set. In a deciding fifth set they change as soon as one team reaches 8 points.
Rules 18.2.1, 18.2.2
Rulebook 2025–2028
What changed in 2025
The FIVB rulebook for 2025 to 2028 changed three things you notice in the very first rally. Not every competition has followed: USA Volleyball's rules for 2025–2027 still ask both teams to stand in rotational order at the serve2, while Volleyball England explains how the new serving rules are applied in its FAQ for the 2025-26 season3.
New since 2025
The serving team may stand anywhere
At the moment of the serve only the receiving team has to keep its rotational order. The serving team may stand anywhere on its own court, for example already in its playing positions.
Rules 7.4, 7.4.4New since 2025
Hands down while your team serves
Players of the serving team may not raise their hands above their heads during the serve until the ball has crossed the net. The referee may first warn the team through the game captain.
Rule 12.5.3New since 2025
Rescue around the antenna only after the first hit
A ball that flies outside the antenna into the opponents' free zone may still be played back, but only if it came from the team's first hit. After the second or third hit it is out at once.
Rules 10.1.2, 10.1.2.3Once you know the basics
Eight more rules that come up in matches
Called less often, but worth knowing: from the ball outside the antenna to screening and the break between sets.
Outside the antennae
The ball must cross the net between the antennae. If a team's first hit flies outside an antenna into the opponents' free zone, a player may chase it and play it back around the outside on the same side. Since 2025 that rescue is allowed only after the first hit: after the second or third hit the ball is out the moment it crosses the net plane.
Rules 10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.1.2.3What a block may do
A blocker may reach over the net but may touch the ball on the other side only after the opponents' attack hit. Blocking the serve is a fault, and back-row players and the libero may not take part in a completed block.
Rules 14.1.1, 14.3, 14.5, 14.6.2Screening
Players of the serving team must not hide the server or the flight of the ball by waving their arms, jumping, moving sideways or standing grouped together. During the serve they may not raise their hands above their heads at all; the referee may warn the team through the game captain.
Rules 12.5.1, 12.5.2, 12.5.3Two faults at once
If one fault follows another, only the first one counts. If both teams commit a fault at the same moment, it is a double fault and the rally is replayed.
Rules 6.1.2.1, 6.1.2.2Injuries
After a serious accident the referee stops play at once and the rally is replayed. An injured player who cannot be substituted gets a three-minute recovery time, once per match.
Rules 17.1.1, 17.1.2Breaks between sets
Every break between two sets lasts three minutes. The one between sets 2 and 3 may be extended to ten minutes at the organiser's request.
Rule 18.1Who asks for a break
Only the coach, or without a coach the assistant coach or the game captain, may ask for time-outs and substitutions. A time-out is requested with a hand signal while the ball is out of play; for a substitution the substitute simply steps into the substitution zone, ready to play.
Rules 15.3.1, 15.4.1, 15.10.3.1More about the libero
Only one libero may be on court at a time, and a libero may be team or game captain. Libero replacements happen only while the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service, through the libero replacement zone beside the team bench.
Rules 5, 19.1.3, 19.3.2.4, 19.3.2.7
Common mix-ups
Eight things people get wrong
“You can't play the ball with your foot.”
You can: the ball may touch any part of the body. Rule 9.2.1
“The line is out.”
The line belongs to the court, so a ball touching it is in. Rule 8.3
“A block touch is the first of three hits.”
Not indoors: the team still has three hits after a block touch. On the beach it is different, there the block counts. Rule 14.4.1
“Back-row players can't spike.”
They can, as long as they take off behind the attack line. Rule 13.2.2
“The libero can't set.”
The libero may set. But after an overhand set by the libero in the front zone, the attacker may not hit the ball from above the top of the net. Rule 13.3.6
“A serve that touches the net is a fault.”
No: the ball may touch the net while crossing it. A serve only fails if it doesn't cross between the antennae. Rules 10.2, 12.6.2.1
“When we serve, everyone must stand in rotation.”
Not under the FIVB rules 2025–2028: only the receiving team must keep its order at the serve. Some competitions, such as USA Volleyball, still ask it of both teams. Rule 7.4
“The libero can't be captain.”
A libero may be team captain or game captain. Rule 5
Youth and league play
Lower nets and smaller courts for young players
The FIVB indoor rulebook only sets the adult net heights. Heights, courts and balls for younger players come from the rules of each federation or competition.
- USA Volleyball sets a net height for every age group. Girls' teams 10 and under play at 1.98 m (6′6″) and boys' teams at 2.13 m (7′0″); at 11/12 and under the net is 2.13 m for everyone, at 13/14 and under 2.24 m (7′4 1/8″). From 15 to 18, girls play at 2.24 m and boys at the adult 2.43 m (7′11 5/8″)2.
- For development, USA Volleyball allows a court shortened to 16 × 9 m for 10 and under, and to 14 × 9 m for 8/9 and under2.
- At the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships, 12-and-under teams play with a lighter ball of 198–227 g instead of 260–280 g2.
- Servers 14 and under get one tossing error per serve: if they toss the ball and then catch it or let it drop, the referee lets them serve again2.
- Under Volleyball Canada's rules, players aged 16 and under may not receive a serve overhand with their fingers, however clean the contact4.
- On the beach, the FIVB rulebook itself allows lower nets: 2.24 m at 16 and under, 2.12 m at 14 and under and 2.00 m at 12 and under, the same for girls and boys Beach rule 2.1.15.
Check your competition. Your league, region or federation decides how high the net hangs in your age group. For everything it does not regulate, the FIVB rulebook is the reference.
Volleyball net heights by age group
Pick two to four age groups. USA Volleyball lists a height for every youth and senior age group; the FIVB beach and snow rules allow lower nets for players 16 and under. The rules of your competition always decide.
| 11/12 & underUSA Volleyball | 13/14 & underUSA Volleyball | 15–18 & underUSA Volleyball | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net height | |||
| Women and girls m | 2.13 m (7′0″) | 2.24 m (7′4 1/8″) | 2.24 m (7′4 1/8″) |
| Men and boys m | 2.13 m (7′0″) | 2.24 m (7′4 1/8″) | 2.43 m (7′11 5/8″) |
| Court and ball | |||
| Court m | 18 × 9 m | 18 × 9 m | 18 × 9 m |
| Ball weight g | 198–227 g at the Junior National Championships | 260–280 g | – |
| What the rulebook says | |||
| Status of the height | Set for USA Volleyball competition of that age group | Set for USA Volleyball competition of that age group | Set for USA Volleyball competition of that age group |
What the referee shows
Referee hand signals
After each whistle the first referee shows, in this order, which team serves next, what the fault was and, if needed, who made it (rule 22.2.3.1). These are the signals you will see most often, described in our own words, with their rule numbers:
| Signal | What the referee does | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Serve allowed No. 1 | Moves the hand in the direction of the serve. | Rule 12.3 |
| Team to serve No. 2 | Extends the arm towards the team that serves next. | Rule 22.2.3 |
| Time-out No. 4 | Lays the palm of one hand on the fingers of the other, held upright, to form a T, then points to the team. | Rule 15.4.1 |
| Substitution No. 5 | Circles the forearms around each other. | Rule 15.5 |
| End of set or match No. 9 | Crosses the forearms in front of the chest, hands open. | Rules 6.2, 6.3 |
| Serve too late No. 11 | Shows eight spread fingers. | Rule 12.4.4 |
| Blocking fault or screen No. 12 | Raises both arms straight up, palms forward. | Rules 12.5, 14.6 |
| Positional or rotational fault No. 13 | Draws a circle with the forefinger. | Rules 7.5, 7.7 |
| Ball in No. 14 | Points arm and fingers at the floor. | Rule 8.3 |
| Ball out No. 15 | Raises the forearms upright, hands open, palms towards the body. | Rule 8.4 |
| Catch No. 16 | Slowly lifts the forearm, palm up. | Rule 9.3.3 |
| Double contact No. 17 | Shows two spread fingers. | Rule 9.3.4 |
| Four hits No. 18 | Shows four spread fingers. | Rule 9.3.1 |
| Net touched No. 19 | Points to that side of the net with the hand on that side. | Rule 11.4.4 |
| Reaching over the net No. 20 | Holds a hand above the net, palm down. | Rules 11.4.1, 14.6.1 |
| Attack-hit fault No. 21 | Moves the forearm downwards, hand open. | Rules 13.3.3, 13.3.6 |
| Line or centre line crossed No. 22 | Points to the centre line or the line concerned. | Rules 11.2.2, 12.4.3 |
| Double fault, replay No. 23 | Raises both thumbs. | Rule 6.1.2.2 |
| Ball touched No. 24 | Brushes the fingers of one upright hand with the palm of the other. | Rule 23.3.2.3 |
Rule 7 in action
Rotations, clickable
The position rule at the serve is the hardest rule to picture. Our tool shows it for every rotation.
On sand
Beach rules
Two players, sets to 21 and a block that counts as a hit: the beach game has its own rulebook.
Sources
- FIVB: Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 (PDF)
- USA Volleyball: Indoor Rules 2025–2027 (PDF)
- Volleyball England: FAQ 2025-26 season, rules and regulations (PDF)
- Volleyball Canada: Overhand Passing (PDF)
- FIVB: Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 (PDF)
Checked on 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to hello@courtandsand.com.
For players, parents and coaches
The rotations cheat sheet
All six rotations of the 5-1 system on one printable page: who stands where at the serve, where everyone switches after it, and the position rule with its rule numbers.
- Six rotations at the serve and after it
- The position rule in four lines
- One email a week with the new video and its article
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