One of the most exciting sports you can play is Volleyball. This combination of baseball, basketball, tennis and handball was created in 1896 by William G. Morgan. While is originated in the United States, its popularity has spread throughout the world. It is now said that approximately 46 million Americans participate in the sport and over 800 million people play throughout the world. At its inception, it was called mintonette and was played using a basketball. In the year 1900, a new ball was created specifically for the game. The volleyball now weighs between 9 and 10 ounces and the ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6 pounds.

A volleyball game consists of two teams playing against each other. Each team will generally have six players. The team is split up into three players in the back of the court and three players in the front near the net. The net separates the court into two sections. A game of volleyball can be played inside or outside. The court is rectangular and divided directly down the middle. The net is quite high, much higher than tennis. The goal is to make the ball hit the ground on the other teams side.

When a game begins, the server will hit the ball from a line on the court called the restraining line or end line. The ball must be clearly visible to the opponents before the shot is taken. The server can hit the ball underhand or overhand in order to send it across the court. When the ball hits the floor, the team that just hit is gets a point. After a serve, the teams may get into volley where the ball will be hit back and forth between the teams. Each side can hit the ball three times before it must go over the net, though each player can only hit the ball once in a row. If a player does hit the ball more than once, it is considered a foul.

Scoring is fairly simple. Each game is generally played to twenty five points. Each time the ball hits the ground, the other team gets one point. This is considered rally scoring. It is acceptable to hit the net, as long as it makes it over.

Volleyball is such a great sport to play. Grab some friends and head down to your nearest court. You will have a blast!