Volleyball 101
New to the sport? This is everything you need to enjoy your first LOVB match.
Scoring
Every rally is worth a point, no matter who served. Sets are played to 25 points and you must win by two. The deciding fifth set goes to 15.
Winning a match
Matches are best of five sets. Win three sets and the match is yours. LOVB adds a twist: some matches can be decided by a golden set tiebreak.
Rotations
When your team wins back the serve, players rotate one spot clockwise. Six players on court, three in the front row and three in the back.
Three touches
A team may touch the ball up to three times before sending it over: usually a pass, a set, and an attack. A block touch does not count.
The five positions
Outside Hitter
The go-to attacker on the left side and usually the busiest passer in serve receive.
Opposite Hitter
Attacks from the right side, often against the other team's best outside hitter.
Setter
The quarterback. Touches the ball on nearly every play and chooses who attacks.
Middle Blocker
Patrols the net, blocks quick attacks and hits fast sets in the middle.
Libero
Defensive specialist in a different jersey. Cannot attack above the net but never leaves the back row.
Words you will hear
- Ace
- A serve that scores directly — untouched or unplayable.
- Kill
- An attack that ends the rally for a point.
- Dig
- A controlled defensive touch that keeps an attack alive.
- Block
- Stopping an attack at the net before it crosses.
- Side out
- Winning the point when the other team served, earning the serve back.
- Rally
- The sequence of play from serve until the ball is dead.
- Golden set
- LOVB's winner-take-all tiebreak set used to decide certain tied matches.
- Pipe
- A back-row attack from the middle of the court.
Ready to pick a team? Meet all ten LOVB clubs.