rules.txt

OFFICIAL
VOLLEYBALL
RULES
2025-2028
Approved by the 39th FIVB World Congress 2024
Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028
Published by FIVB in 2025 – www.fivb.com
Design, layout and illustrations: © FIVB 2025
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES
2025-2028
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 1
Approved by the 39th FIVB World Congress 2024
To be implemented in all competitions beginning after 1st January 2025
CONTENTS
GAME CHARACTERISTICS 7
PART 1: PHILOSOPHY OF RULES AND REFEREEING 8
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME 11
CHAPTER 1: FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT 12
1 PLAYING AREA. ...................................................................................................................12
1.1 DIMENSIONS..............................................................................................................12
1.2 PLAYING SURFACE.....................................................................................................12
1.3 LINES ON THE COURT ................................................................................................13
1.4 ZONES AND AREAS....................................................................................................13
1.5 TEMPERATURE ...........................................................................................................14
1.6 LIGHTING...................................................................................................................14
2 NET AND POSTS ..................................................................................................................14
2.1 HEIGHT OF THE NET...................................................................................................14
2.2 STRUCTURE ...............................................................................................................15
2.3 SIDE BANDS...............................................................................................................15
2.4 ANTENNAE ................................................................................................................15
2.5 POSTS........................................................................................................................15
2.6 ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT ..........................................................................................16
3 BALLS..................................................................................................................................16
3.1 STANDARDS ..............................................................................................................16
3.2 UNIFORMITY OF BALLS ..............................................................................................16
3.3 BALL RETRIEVAL SYSTEM ...........................................................................................16
CHAPTER 2: PARTICIPANTS 17
4 TEAMS ................................................................................................................................17
4.1 TEAM COMPOSITION.................................................................................................17
4.2 LOCATION OF THE TEAM...........................................................................................18
4.3 EQUIPMENT ...............................................................................................................18
4.4 CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT...........................................................................................19
4.5 FORBIDDEN OBJECTS .................................................................................................19
5 TEAM LEADERS ...................................................................................................................19
5.1 CAPTAIN....................................................................................................................19
5.2 COACH .....................................................................................................................20
5.3 ASSISTANT COACH....................................................................................................21
2
CHAPTER 3: PLAYING FORMAT 22
6 TO SCORE A POINT, TO WIN A SET AND THE MATCH..........................................................22
6.1 TO SCORE A POINT....................................................................................................22
6.2 TO WIN A SET............................................................................................................22
6.3 TO WIN THE MATCH..................................................................................................23
6.4 DEFAULT AND INCOMPLETE TEAM.............................................................................23
7 STRUCTURE OF PLAY...........................................................................................................23
7.1 THE TOSS...................................................................................................................23
7.2 OFFICIAL WARM-UP SESSION.....................................................................................23
7.3 TEAM STARTING LINE-UP ...........................................................................................24
7.4 POSITIONS .................................................................................................................25
7.5 POSITIONAL FAULT.....................................................................................................25
7.6 ROTATION..................................................................................................................26
7.7 ROTATIONAL FAULT ...................................................................................................26
CHAPTER 4: PLAYING ACTIONS 27
8 STATES OF PLAY ..................................................................................................................27
8.1 BALL IN PLAY .............................................................................................................27
8.2 BALL OUT OF PLAY ....................................................................................................27
8.3 BALL “IN”..................................................................................................................27
8.4 BALL “OUT” ..............................................................................................................27
9 PLAYING THE BALL ............................................................................................................. 28
9.1 TEAM HITS.................................................................................................................28
9.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HIT ..................................................................................28
9.3 FAULTS IN PLAYING THE BALL ....................................................................................29
10 BALL AT THE NET.................................................................................................................29
10.1 BALL CROSSING THE NET...........................................................................................29
10.2 BALL TOUCHING THE NET..........................................................................................30
10.3 BALL IN THE NET........................................................................................................30
11 PLAYER AT THE NET.............................................................................................................30
11.1 REACHING BEYOND THE NET ....................................................................................30
11.2 PENETRATION UNDER THE NET ..................................................................................30
11.3 CONTACT WITH THE NET...........................................................................................31
11.4 PLAYER’S FAULTS AT THE NET ....................................................................................31
12 SERVICE ..............................................................................................................................31
12.1 FIRST SERVICE IN A SET..............................................................................................31
12.2 SERVICE ORDER.........................................................................................................32
12.3 AUTHORIZATION OF THE SERVICE..............................................................................32
12.4 EXECUTION OF THE SERVICE .....................................................................................32
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 3
12.5 SCREENING................................................................................................................32
12.6 FAULTS MADE DURING THE SERVICE .........................................................................33
12.7 SERVING FAULTS AND POSITIONAL FAULTS ................................................................33
13 ATTACK HIT.........................................................................................................................33
13.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ATTACK HIT.....................................................................33
13.2 RESTRICTIONS OF THE ATTACK HIT............................................................................33
13.3 FAULTS OF THE ATTACK HIT.......................................................................................34
14 BLOCK ................................................................................................................................34
14.1 BLOCKING.................................................................................................................34
14.2 BLOCK CONTACT ......................................................................................................35
14.3 BLOCKING WITHIN THE OPPONENT’S SPACE..............................................................35
14.4 BLOCK AND TEAM HITS.............................................................................................35
14.5 BLOCKING THE SERVICE ............................................................................................35
14.6 BLOCKING FAULTS.....................................................................................................35
CHAPTER 5: INTERRUPTIONS, DELAYS AND INTERVALS 36
15 INTERRUPTIONS...................................................................................................................36
15.1 NUMBER OF REGULAR GAME INTERRUPTIONS ..........................................................36
15.2 SEQUENCE OF REGULAR GAME INTERRUPTIONS .......................................................36
15.3 REQUEST FOR REGULAR GAME INTERRUPTIONS ........................................................36
15.4 TIME-OUTS ................................................................................................................37
15.5 SUBSTITUTION ...........................................................................................................37
15.6 LIMITATION OF SUBSTITUTIONS..................................................................................37
15.7 EXCEPTIONAL SUBSTITUTION.....................................................................................37
15.8 SUBSTITUTION FOR EXPULSION OR DISQUALIFICATION..............................................38
15.9 ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION..............................................................................................38
15.10 SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE .......................................................................................38
15.11 IMPROPER REQUESTS.................................................................................................39
16 GAME DELAYS ....................................................................................................................39
16.1 TYPES OF DELAYS ......................................................................................................39
16.2 DELAY SANCTIONS ....................................................................................................39
17 EXCEPTIONAL GAME INTERRUPTIONS ................................................................................ 40
17.1 INJURY/ ILLNESS.........................................................................................................40
17.2 EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE ..........................................................................................40
17.3 PROLONGED INTERRUPTIONS ....................................................................................40
18 INTERVALS AND CHANGE OF COURTS ................................................................................41
18.1 INTERVALS .................................................................................................................41
18.2 CHANGE OF COURTS ................................................................................................41
4
CHAPTER 6: THE LIBERO PLAYER 42
19 THE LIBERO PLAYER.............................................................................................................42
19.1 DESIGNATION OF THE LIBERO ....................................................................................42
19.2 EQUIPMENT ...............................................................................................................42
19.3 ACTIONS INVOLVING THE LIBERO ..............................................................................42
19.4 RE-DESIGNATION OF A NEW LIBERO ..........................................................................44
19.5 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................45
CHAPTER 7: PARTICIPANTS’ CONDUCT 46
20 REQUIREMENTS OF CONDUCT ............................................................................................46
20.1 SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT ......................................................................................46
20.2 FAIR PLAY ..................................................................................................................46
21 MISCONDUCT AND ITS SANCTIONS ....................................................................................46
21.1 MINOR MISCONDUCT ...............................................................................................46
21.2 MISCONDUCT LEADING TO SANCTIONS....................................................................47
21.3 SANCTION SCALE ......................................................................................................47
21.4 APPLICATION OF MISCONDUCT SANCTIONS .............................................................48
21.5 MISCONDUCT BEFORE AND BETWEEN SETS ..............................................................48
21.6 SUMMARY OF MISCONDUCT AND CARDS USED ......................................................48
PART 2 - SECTION 2: THE REFEREES, THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND OFFICIAL HAND SIGNALS 49
CHAPTER 8: REFEREES 50
22 REFEREEING TEAM AND PROCEDURES ................................................................................50
22.1 COMPOSITION...........................................................................................................50
22.2 PROCEDURES.............................................................................................................50
23 1st REFEREE..........................................................................................................................51
23.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................51
23.2 AUTHORITY ...............................................................................................................51
23.3 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................52
24 2nd REFEREE .........................................................................................................................53
24.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................53
24.2 AUTHORITY ...............................................................................................................53
24.3 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................54
25 CHALLENGE REFEREE ..........................................................................................................54
25.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................54
25.2 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................54
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 5
26 RESERVE REFEREE................................................................................................................55
26.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................55
26.2 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................55
27 SCORER...............................................................................................................................56
27.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................56
27.2 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................56
28 ASSISTANT SCORER.............................................................................................................57
28.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................57
28.2 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................57
29 LINE JUDGES .......................................................................................................................58
29.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................58
29.2 RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................58
30 OFFICIAL SIGNALS ...............................................................................................................59
30.1 REFEREES’ HAND SIGNALS .........................................................................................59
30.2 LINE JUDGES’ FLAG SIGNALS .....................................................................................59
PART 2 - SECTION 3: DIAGRAMS 61
D1a COMPETITION/CONTROL AREA........................................................................................62
D1b THE PLAYING AREA ..........................................................................................................63
D2 THE PLAYING COURT........................................................................................................64
D3 DESIGN OF THE NET..........................................................................................................65
D4 POSITION OF PLAYERS ......................................................................................................66
D5a BALL CROSSING THE VERTICAL PLANE OF THE NET TO THE OPPONENT COURT................67
D5b BALL CROSSING THE VERTICAL PLANE TO THE OPPONENT FREE ZONE .............................68
D6 COLLECTIVE SCREEN ........................................................................................................69
D7 COMPLETED BLOCK .........................................................................................................69
D8 BACK ROW PLAYER’S ATTACK..........................................................................................70
D9 WARNINGS AND SANCTIONS SCALES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES .................................71
D9a MISCONDUCT WARNINGS AND SANCTIONS ....................................................................71
D9b DELAY WARNINGS AND SANCTIONS ................................................................................71
D10 LOCATION OF THE REFEREEING TEAM AND THEIR ASSISTANTS.........................................72
D11 REFEREES’ OFFICIAL HAND SIGNALS ............................................................................73-79
D12 LINE JUDGES’ OFFICIAL FLAG SIGNALS ........................................................................80-81
PART 3: DEFINITIONS 82
INDEX 85
6
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 7
GAME CHARACTERISTICS
Volleyball is a sport played by two teams on a playing court divided by a net.
There are different versions available for specific circumstances in order to
offer the versatility of the game to everyone.
The object of the game is to send the ball over the net in order to ground it on
the opponent’s court, and to prevent the same effort by the opponent. The
team has three hits for returning the ball (in addition to the block contact).
The ball is put in play with a service: hit by the server over the net to the
opponents. The rally continues until the ball is grounded on the playing court,
goes “out” or a team fails to return it properly.
In Volleyball, the team winning a rally scores a point (Rally Point System).
When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve,
and its players rotate one position clockwise.
PART 1
PHILOSOPHY OF RULES
AND REFEREEING
8
PART 1: PHILOSOPHY OF RULES AND REFEREEING
INTRODUCTION
By every measure, Volleyball is one of the world’s top sports – it has more affiliated federations,
larger TV viewing figures, larger followers at social media, greater numbers of registered and
recreational players, than almost any other sport, and an image which is dynamic, clean and
colorful, combining highly competitive sport and high-level show.
William Morgan, the game’s creator, would still recognize it because Volleyball has retained certain
distinctive and essential elements over the years. Some of these it shares with other net/ball/
racquet games: – Service – Rotation (taking turns to serve) – Attack – Defense – players able to play
at the net and in the back of the court. But the sport has moved on. It is explosive, it is spectacular,
it is fast and free flowing, it has athletic players doing sensational things on court in crowed venues.
Additionally, Volleyball is unique amongst net games in insisting that the ball is in constant flight
– a flying ball – and by allowing each team a degree of internal passing before the ball must be
returned to the opponents, creating a kind sharing of the ball to produce equal opportunities for
scoring points.
In recent years the FIVB has made great strides in adapting the game to a modern audience,
liberalising the criteria for ball handling, introducing up to two specialist defensive “Libero” players,
introducing the technology with the Video Challenge System providing fairness to the effort of the
athletes and encouraging policies which promote flowing play to entertain the public, both at
venue and on the screen.
THE RULES TEXT
This text is aimed at a broad Volleyball public – players, coaches, referees, spectators, commentators,
and others – because an understanding of the rules allows better play and personal satisfaction –
coaches can create better team structure and tactics, giving players full rein to display their skills,
and an understanding of the relationship between written rules and actual actions on the court
allows officials to make better decisions.
Volleyball is both recreational and competitive. Recreational sport taps into the human spirit and
promotes “fun” and healthy life. Competition allows people to exhibit the best of ability, creativity,
freedom of expression and fighting spirit. The rules are designed and structured to allow all of
these facets to flourish.
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 9
VOLLEY
PASSING Service Rotation
Explosive
Action
Defense
Jumping Power
Attack TEAM GAME DIVIDED
COURTS
THE REFEREE WITHIN THIS FRAMEWORK
The essence of a good referee lies in the concepts of fairness justice and consistency (being
positioned in the middle of both playing courts is a symbol of balance). Together these allow
the players to trust the referee’s actions. However, the referee must be a facilitator rather than
a controller, an orchestra director rather than a dictator, an efficient promoter rather than an
“efficient” punisher.
By understanding the reason why a rule has been written and by being clear about its purpose
within the framework of the “show”, the referee becomes a big part of the overall successful
production, while remaining largely in the background and intervening only when necessary. We
can say that a good referee will use the rules to make the competition a fulfilling experience for
all concerned.
To those who have read thus far, view the rules which follow as the current state of development of
a great game, but keep in mind why these preceding few paragraphs may be of equal importance
to you in your own position within the sport.
Get involved!
Understand the game!
Keep the ball flying!
10
PART 2
SECTION 1: GAME
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 11
CHAPTER 1
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
See Rules
1 PLAYING AREA
The playing area includes the playing court and the free zone. It shall be
rectangular and symmetrical.
1.1, D1a, D1b
1.1 DIMENSIONS D2
The playing court is a rectangle measuring 18 x 9 m, surrounded by a
free zone which is a minimum of 3 m wide on all sides.
The free playing space is the space above the playing area which is free
from any obstructions. The free playing space shall measure a minimum
of 7 m in height from the playing surface.
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, the free zone shall
measure of 5 m from the side lines and 6.5 m from the end lines.
The free playing space shall measure a minimum of 12.5 m in
height from the playing surface.
1.2 PLAYING SURFACE
1.2.1 The surface must be flat, horizontal and uniform. It must not present
any danger of injury to the players. It is forbidden to play on rough or
slippery surfaces.
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, only a wooden or
synthetic surface is allowed. Any surface must be previously
approved by the FIVB.
1.2.2 On indoor courts the surface of the playing court must be of a light
colour.
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, white colours are
required for the lines. Other colours, different from each other,
are required for the playing court and the free zone. The playing
court may be of different colours differentiating the front zone
and the back zone.
1.1, 1.3
1.2.3 On outdoor courts a slope of 5 mm per metre is allowed for drainage.
Court lines made of solid materials are forbidden.
1.3
12
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
1.3 LINES ON THE COURT D2
1.3.1 All lines are 5 cm wide. They must be of a light colour which is different
from the colour of the floor and from any other lines.
1.2.2
1.3.2 Boundary lines
Two side lines and two end lines mark the playing court. Both side lines
and end lines are drawn inside the dimensions of the playing court.
1.1
1.3.3 Centre line
The axis of the centre line divides the playing court into two equal
courts measuring 9 x 9 m each; however the entire width of the line is
considered to belong to both courts equally. This line extends beneath
the net from side line to side line.
D2
1.3.4 Attack line
On each court, an attack line, whose rear edge is drawn 3 m back from
the axis of the centre line, marks the front zone.
1.3.3, 1.4.1
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, the attack line is
extended by the addition of broken lines from the side lines,
with five 15 cm short lines 5 cm wide, drawn 20 cm from each
other to a total length of 1.75 m.
D2
1.4 ZONES AND AREAS D1b, D2
1.4.1 Front zone 19.3.1.4,
23.3.2.3e, D2
On each court the front zone is limited by the axis of the centre line and
the rear edge of the attack line.
1.3.3, 1.3.4,
19.3.1.4,
23.3.2.3e
The front zone is considered to extend beyond the side lines to the end
of the free zone.
1.1, 1.3.2
1.4.2 Service zone
The service zone is a 9 m wide area behind each end line.
It is laterally limited by two short lines, each 15 cm long, drawn 20 cm
behind the end line as an extension of the side lines. Both short lines are
included in the width of the service zone.
1.3.2, 12, D1b
In depth, the service zone extends to the end of the free zone. 1.1
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 13
1.4.3 Substitution zone
The substitution zone is limited by the extension of both attack lines up
to the scorer's table.
1.3.4, 15.10.1,
D1b
1.4.4 Libero Replacement zone
The Libero Replacement zone is part of the free zone on the side of
the team benches, limited by the extension of the attack line up to the
end line.
19.3.2.7, D1b
1.4.5 Warm-up area
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, the warm-up areas,
sized approximately 3 x 3 m, are located in both of the benchside corners, outside the free zone, where they will not obstruct
the view of spectators, or alternatively behind the team bench,
where the tribune starts above 2.5 m from the court surface.
24.2.5, D1a,
D1b
1.5 TEMPERATURE
The minimum temperature shall not be below 10° C (50° F).
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, the maximum
temperature shall be determined by the FIVB Technical Delegate
of the match.
1.6 LIGHTING
Lighting should be no less than 300 lux. 1
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, the lighting on the
playing area should be not less than 2000 lux measured at 1 m
above the surface of the playing area.
2 NET AND POSTS D3
2.1 HEIGHT OF THE NET
2.1.1 Placed vertically over the centre line there is a net whose top is set at the
height of 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women.
1.3.3, 2.1.2
2.1.2 Its height is measured from the centre of the playing court. The net
height (over the two side lines) must be exactly the same and must not
exceed the official height by more than 2 cm.
1.1, 1.3.2,
2.1.1
14
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
2.2 STRUCTURE
The net is 1 m wide (± 3 cm) and 9.50 to 10 m long (with 25 to 50 cm
on each side of the side bands), made of 10 cm square black mesh.
D3
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, in conjunction with
specific competition regulations, the mesh may be modified to
facilitate advertising according to marketing agreements.
At its top a horizontal band, 7 cm wide, made of two-fold white canvas,
is sewn along its full length. Each extreme end of the band has a hole,
through which passes a cord, fastening the band to the posts for
keeping its top taut.
Within the band, a flexible cable fastens the net to the posts and keeps
its top taut.
At the bottom of the net there is another horizontal band, 5cm wide,
similar to the top band, through which is threaded a rope. This rope
fastens the net to the posts and keeps its lower part taut.
2.3 SIDE BANDS
Two white bands are fastened vertically to the net and placed directly
above each side line.
1.3.2, D3
They are 5 cm wide and 1 m long and are considered as part of the net.
2.4 ANTENNAE
An antenna is a flexible rod, 1.80 m long and 10 mm in diameter, made
of fiberglass or similar material.
An antenna is fastened at the outer edge of each side band. The
antennae are placed on opposite sides of the net.
2.3, D3
The top 80 cm of each antenna extends above the net and is marked
with 10 cm stripes of contrasting colour, preferably red and white.
The antennae are considered as part of the net and laterally delimit the
crossing space.
10.1.1, D3,
D5a, D5b
2.5 POSTS
2.5.1 The posts supporting the net are placed at a distance of 0.50-1.00 m
outside the side lines. They are 2.55 m high and preferably adjustable.
D3
For all FIVB, World and Official Competitions, the posts supporting
the net are placed at a distance of 1 m outside the side lines and
must be padded.
2.5.2 The posts are rounded and smooth, fixed to the ground without wires.
There shall be no dangerous or obstructing devices.
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 15
2.6 ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
All additional equipment is determined by FIVB regulations.
3 BALLS
3.1 STANDARDS
The ball shall be spherical, made of a flexible leather or synthetic leather
case with a bladder inside, made of rubber or a similar material.
Its colour may be a uniform light colour or a combination of colours.
Synthetic leather material and colour combinations of balls used in
international official competitions should comply with FIVB standards.
Its circumference is 65-67 cm and its weight is 260-280 g.
Its inside pressure shall be 0.30 to 0.325 kg/cm2
 (4.26 to 4.61 psi) (294.3
to 318.82 mbar or hPa).
3.2 UNIFORMITY OF BALLS
All balls used in a match must have the same standards regarding
circumference, weight, pressure, type, colour, etc.
3.1
FIVB, World and Official Competitions, as well as National or
League Championships, must be played with FIVB approved
balls, unless by agreement of FIVB.
3.3 BALL RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, five balls shall be
used. In this case, six ball retrievers are stationed, one at each
corner of the free zone and one behind each referee.
D10
16
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
CHAPTER 2
PARTICIPANTS
See Rules
4 TEAMS
4.1 TEAM COMPOSITION
4.1.1 For the match, a team may consist of up to 12 players, plus
– Coaching Staff: one coach, a maximum of two assistant coaches,
– Medical Staff: one team therapist and one medical doctor.
Only those listed on the score sheet may normally enter the Competition/
Control Area and take part in the official warm up and in the match.
5.2, 5.3
For FIVB, World and Official competitions for Seniors:
Up to 14 players may be recorded on the score sheet and play in
a match.
The maximum five staff members on the bench (including the
coach) are chosen by the coach him/herself but must be listed on
the score sheet, and be registered on the O-2(bis).
The team Manager and/or team Journalist may not sit on or
behind the bench in the Control Area.
Any Medical doctor or team therapist used in FIVB, World and
Official Competitions must be part of the official Delegation and
accredited beforehand by the FIVB. However, for FIVB, World
and Official Competitions for Seniors, if they are not included
as members on the team bench, they must sit against the
delimitation fence, inside the Competition-Control Area or sit in
a special place indicated in the Specific Competition Handbook
and may only intervene if invited by the referees to deal with an
emergency to the players. The team therapist (even if not on the
bench) may assist with the warm up until the start of the official
net warm up session.
The Official Regulations for each event will be found in the
Specific Competition Handbook.
D1a
7.2.1
4.1.2 One of the players is the team captain, who shall be indicated on the
score sheet.
5.1
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 17
4.1.3 Only the players recorded on the score sheet may enter the court and
play in the match. Once the coach and the team captain have signed the
score sheet, (team list for electronic score sheet) the recorded players
cannot be changed.
1, 4.1.1, 5.1.1,
5.2.2
4.2 LOCATION OF THE TEAM
4.2.1 The players not in play should either sit on their team bench or be in
their warm-up area. The coach and other team members sit on the
bench, but may temporarily leave it.
1.4.5, 5.2.3,
7.3.3
The benches for the teams are located beside the scorer's table, outside
the free zone.
D1a, D1b
4.2.2 Only the team composition members are permitted to enter the playing
area, to sit on the bench during the match and to participate in the
official warm-up session.
4.1.1, 7.2
4.2.3 Players not in play may warm-up without balls as follows:
4.2.3.1 during play: in the warm-up areas; 1.4.5, D1a, D1b
4.2.3.2 during time-outs: in the free zone behind their court. 1.3.3, 15.4
4.2.4 During set intervals, players may warm-up using balls within their own
free zone.
18.1
4.3 EQUIPMENT
A player's equipment consists of a jersey, shorts, socks (the uniform)
and sport shoes.
4.3.1 The colour and the design for the jerseys, shorts and socks must be
uniform for the team (except for the Libero). The uniforms must be
clean.
4.1, 19.2
4.3.2 The shoes must be light and pliable with rubber or composite soles
without heels.
4.3.3 Players' jerseys must be numbered from 1 to 20.
In FIVB, World and Official Competitions for Seniors, where
larger playing squads are used, numbers may be extended.
4.3.3.2
4.3.3.1 The number must be placed on the jersey at the centre of the front and
of the back. The colour and brightness of the numbers must contrast
with the colour and brightness of the jerseys.
4.3.3.2 The number must be a minimum of 15 cm in height on the chest, and
a minimum of 20  cm in height on the back. The stripe forming the
numbers shall be a minimum of 2 cm in width.
4.3.4 The team captain must have on his/her jersey a stripe of 8  x  2  cm
underlining the number on the chest.
5.1
18
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
4.3.5 It is forbidden to wear uniforms of a colour different from that of the
other players (except for the Liberos), and/or without official numbers.
19.2
4.4 CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT
The 1st referee may authorize one or more players: 23
4.4.1 to play barefoot;
4.4.2 to change wet or damaged uniforms between sets or after substitution,
provided that the colour, design and number of the new uniform(s) are
the same;
4.3, 15.5
4.4.3 to play in training suits in cold weather, provided that they are of the
same colour and design for the whole team (except for the Liberos) and
numbered according to Rule 4.3.3.
4.1.1, 19.2
4.5 FORBIDDEN OBJECTS
4.5.1 It is forbidden to wear objects which may cause injury or give an artificial
advantage to the player.
4.5.2 Players may wear glasses or lenses at their own risk.
4.5.3 Compression pads (padded injury protection devices) may be worn for
protection or support.
For FIVB, World and Official competitions for Seniors, these
devices must be of the same colour as the corresponding part
of the uniform. Black, white or neutral colours may be also used
provided that all using players wear the same colour.
5 TEAM LEADERS
Both the team captain and the coach are responsible for the conduct
and discipline of their team members.
20
The Liberos can be either team or game captain.
5.1 CAPTAIN
5.1.1 PRIOR TO THE MATCH, the team captain represents his/her team in the
toss, then signs the score sheet.
7.1, 25.2.1.1
5.1.2 DURING THE MATCH and while on the court, the team captain is the
game captain. When the team captain is not on the court, the coach
or the team captain must assign another player on the court, to
assume the role of game captain. This game captain maintains his/her
responsibilities until he/she is substituted, or the team captain returns
to play, or the set ends.
15.2.1
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 19
When the ball is out of play, only the game captain is authorized to
speak to the referees:
8.2
5.1.2.1 to ask for an explanation on the application or interpretation of the
Rules, and also to submit the requests or questions of his/her teammates. If the game captain does not agree with the explanation of the
1st referee, he/she may choose to protest against such decision and
immediately indicates to the 1st referee that he/she reserves the right
to record an official protest on the score sheet at the end of the match;
23.2.4
5.1.2.2 to ask authorization:
a) to change all or part of the equipment, 4.3, 4.4.2
b) to verify the positions of the teams, 7.4, 7.6
c) to check the floor, the net, the ball, etc.; 1.2, 2, 3
5.1.2.3 in the absence of the coach unless the team has an assistant coach
who has overtaken the coach’s functions to request time-outs and
substitutions.
5.2, 5.3,
15.3.1, 15.4.1,
15.5.2
5.1.3 AT THE END OF THE MATCH, the team captain: 6.3
5.1.3.1 thanks the referees and signs the score sheet to ratify the result; 25.2.3.3
5.1.3.2 may, when it has been notified in due time to the 1st referee, confirm
and record on the score sheet an official protest regarding the referee’s
application or interpretation of the rules.
5.1.2.1,
25.2.3.2
5.2 COACH
5.2.1 Throughout the match, the coach conducts the play of his/her team
from outside the playing court. He/she selects the starting line-ups, the
substitutes, and takes time-outs. In these functions his/her contacting
official is the 2nd referee.
1.1, 7.3.2,
15.4.1, 15.5.2
5.2.2 PRIOR TO THE MATCH, the coach records or checks the names and
numbers of his/her players on the score sheet team roster, and then signs it.
4.1, 19.1.3,
25.2.1.1
5.2.3 DURING THE MATCH, the coach:
5.2.3.1 prior to each set, gives the 2nd referee or the scorer the line-up
sheet(s) duly filled in and signed; If Tablet apps are used, the electronic
transmission of the line-up is automatically deemed to be official.
7.3.2, 7.4, 7.6
5.2.3.2 sits on the team bench nearest to the scorer, but may leave it; 4.2
5.2.3.3 requests time-outs and substitutions; 15.4, 15.5
20
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
5.2.3.4 may, as well as other team members, give instructions to the players
on the court. The coach may give these instructions while standing
or walking within the free zone in front of his/her team’s bench from
the extension of the attack line up to the warm-up area, if situated
in the corner of the Competition Control Area, without disturbing or
delaying the match. Should the warm up area be situated behind the
team bench, then the coach may move from the extension of the attack
line up to the end of his/ her team’s court, but without obstructing the
view of the line judges.
1.3.4, 1.4.5,
D1a, D1b, D2
5.3 ASSISTANT COACH
5.3.1 The assistant coach sits on the team bench, but has no right to intervene
in the match.
4.2.1
5.3.2 Should the coach have to leave his/her team for any reason including
sanction, but excluding entering the court as a player, an assistant coach
may assume the coach's functions for the duration of the absence, once
confirmed to the referee by the game captain.
5.1.2.3, 5.2
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 21
CHAPTER 3
PLAYING FORMAT
See Rules
6 TO SCORE A POINT, TO WIN A SET AND THE MATCH
6.1 TO SCORE A POINT
6.1.1 Point
A team scores a point:
6.1.1.1 by successfully landing the ball on the opponent’s court; 8.3
6.1.1.2 when the opponent team commits a fault; 6.1.2
6.1.1.3 when the opponent team receives a penalty. 16.2.3, 21.3.1
6.1.2 Fault
A team commits a fault by making a playing action contrary to the rules
(or by violating them in some other way). The referees judge the faults
and determine the consequences according to the rules:
6.1.2.1 if two or more faults are committed successively, only the first one is
counted;
6.1.2.2 if two or more faults are committed by opponents simultaneously, a
DOUBLE FAULT is called and the rally is replayed.
D11 (23)
6.1.3 Rally and completed rally
A rally is the sequence of playing actions from the moment of the
service hit by the server until the ball is out of play. A completed rally
is the sequence of playing actions which results in the award of a point.
This includes:
– the award of a penalty
– loss of service for service hit made after the time-limit.
8.1, 8.2,
12.2.2.1,
15.2.3,
15.11.1.3,
19.3.2.1,
19.3.2.9
21.3.1
12.4.4
6.1.3.1 If the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and continues to serve.
6.1.3.2 If the receiving team wins a rally, it scores a point and it must serve next.
6.2 TO WIN A SET D11 (9)
A set (except the deciding 5th set) is won by the team which first scores
25 points with a minimum lead of two points. In the case of a 24-24 tie,
play is continued until a two-point lead is achieved (26-24; 27-25; etc.).
6.3.2
22
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
6.3 TO WIN THE MATCH D11 (9)
6.3.1 The match is won by the team that wins three sets. 6.2
6.3.2 In the case of a 2-2 tie, the deciding 5th set is played to 15 points with a
minimum lead of 2 points.
7.1
6.4 DEFAULT AND INCOMPLETE TEAM
6.4.1 If a team refuses to play after being summoned to do so, it is declared
in default and forfeits the match with the result 0-3 for the match and
0-25 for each set.
6.2, 6.3
6.4.2 A team that, without justifiable reason, does not appear on the playing
court on time is declared in default with the same result as in Rule 6.4.1.
6.4.3 A team that is declared INCOMPLETE for the set or for the match, loses
the set or the match. The opponent team is given the points, or the
points and the sets, needed to win the set or the match. The incomplete
team keeps its points and sets.
6.2, 6.3, 7.3.1
7 STRUCTURE OF PLAY
7.1 THE TOSS
Before the match, the 1st referee carries out a toss to decide upon the
first service and the sides of the court in the first set.
12.1.1
If a deciding set is to be played, a new toss will be carried out. 6.3.2
7.1.1 The toss is taken in the presence of the two team captains. 5.1
7.1.2 The winner of the toss chooses:
EITHER
7.1.2.1 the right to serve or to receive the service, 12.1.1
OR
7.1.2.2 the side of the court.
The loser takes the remaining choice.
7.2 OFFICIAL WARM-UP SESSION
7.2.1 Prior to the match, if the teams have previously had a playing court
exclusively at their disposal, they are entitled to a 6-minute official
warm-up period together at the net; if not, they may have 10 minutes.
For FIVB, World and Official competitions, teams will be entitled
to a 10 minute warm up period together at the net.
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 23
7.2.2 If either captain requests separate (consecutive) official warm-ups at the
net, the teams are allowed 3 minutes each or 5 minutes each.
7.2.1
7.2.3 In the case of consecutive official warm-ups, the team that has the first
service takes the first turn at the net.
For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, all players must wear
playing uniform for the complete Protocol and warm up.
7.1.2.1, 7.2.2
7.3 TEAM STARTING LINE-UP
7.3.1 There must always be six players per team in play. 6.4.3
The team's starting line-up indicates the rotational order of the players
on the court. This order must be maintained throughout the set.
7.6
7.3.2 Before the start of each set, the coach has to present the starting line-up
of his/her team on a line-up sheet or via the electronic device, if used.
The sheet is submitted, duly filled in and signed, to the 2nd referee or the
scorer – or electronically sent directly to the e-scorer.
5.2.3.1, 24.3.1,
25.2.1.2
7.3.3 The players who are not in the starting line-up of a set are the substitutes
for that set (except the Liberos).
7.3.2, 15.5
7.3.4 Once the line-up sheet has been delivered to the 2nd referee or scorer, no
change in the line-up may be authorized without a regular substitution.
15.2.2, 15.5,
D11 (5)
7.3.5 Discrepancies between players’ position on court and on the line-up
sheet are dealt with as follows:
24.3.1
7.3.5.1 when such a discrepancy is discovered before the start of the set,
players' positions must be rectified according to those on the line-up
sheet – there will be no sanction;
7.3.2
7.3.5.2 when, before the start of the set, any player on court is found not to be
registered on the line-up sheet of that set, this player must be changed
to conform to the line-up sheet – there will be no sanction;
7.3.2
7.3.5.3 however, if the coach wishes to keep such non-recorded player(s) on
the court, he/she has to request regular substitution(s), by use of the
corresponding hand signal, which will then be recorded on the score sheet.
If a discrepancy between players’ positions and the line-up sheet is
discovered later, the team at fault must revert to the correct positions.
The opponent’s points remain valid and in addition they receive a point
and the next service. All points scored by the team at fault from the
exact moment of the fault up to the discovery of the fault are cancelled.
15.2.2, D11 (5)
7.3.5.4 Where a player is found to be on court but he/she is not registered on
the team roster, the opponent’s points remain valid, and in addition
they gain a point and service. The team at fault will lose all points and/
or sets (0:25, if necessary) gained from the moment the non- registered
player entered the court, and will have to submit a revised line-up sheet
and send a new registered player into the court, in the position of the
non-registered player.
6.1.2, 7.3.2
24
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
7.4 POSITIONS D4
At the moment the ball is hit by the server, each team must be positioned
within its own court (except the server). The players of the receiving
team must be in the rotational order at the service hit.
The players of the serving team, however, are free to occupy any
position at the service hit.
7.6.1, 8.1, 12.4
7.4.1 The positions of the players are numbered as follows:
7.4.1.1 the three players along the net are front-row players and occupy
positions 4 (front-left), 3 (front-centre) and 2 (front-right);
7.4.1.2 the other three are back-row players occupying positions 5 (back-left), 6
(back-centre) and 1 (back-right).
7.4.2 Relative positions between players:
7.4.2.1 each back-row player must be positioned further back from the centre
line than the corresponding front-row player;
7.4.2.2 the front-row players and the back-row players, respectively, must be
positioned laterally in the order indicated in Rule 7.4.1.
7.4.3 The positions of players are determined and controlled according to the
positions of their feet contacting the ground (the last contact with the
floor fixes the player’s position), as follows:
D4
7.4.3.1 each back-row player must be level with or have at least a part of one
foot further from the centre line than the front foot of the corresponding
front-row player;
1.3.3, 7.4.2.1,
7.4.3
7.4.3.2 each right (left) side player must be level with or have at least a part of
one foot closer to the right (left) sideline than the foot further from the
right (left) side line of the other players in that row.
1.3.2, 7.4.1.2,
7.4.2.2, 7.4.3
7.4.4 After the service hit, the players of both teams may move around and
occupy any position on their court and the free zone.
7.5 POSITIONAL FAULT D4, D11 (13)
7.5.1 The team commits a positional fault, if any player is not in his/her correct
position at the moment the ball is hit by the server. When a player is on
court through illegal substitution, and play restarts, this is counted as a
positional fault with the consequences of an illegal substitution.
7.3, 7.4, 15.9
7.5.2 If the server commits a serving fault at the moment of the service hit,
the server's fault is counted before a positional fault.
12.4, 12.7.1
7.5.3 If the service becomes faulty after the service hit, it is the positional fault
that will be counted.
12.7.2
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 25
7.5.4 A positional fault leads to the following consequences:
7.5.4.1 the team is sanctioned with a point and service to the opponent; 6.1.3
7.5.4.2 players' positions must be rectified. 7.3, 7.4
7.6 ROTATION
7.6.1 The rotational order is determined by the team's starting line-up and
controlled with the service order and players' positions throughout the
set.
7.3.1, 7.4.1,
12.2
7.6.2 When the receiving team has gained the right to serve, its players rotate
one position clock-wise: the player in position 2 rotates to position 1 to
serve, the player in position 1 rotates to position 6, etc.
12.2.2.2
7.7 ROTATIONAL FAULT D11 (13)
7.7.1 A rotational fault is committed when the SERVICE is not made according
to the rotational order. It leads to the following consequences in order:
7.6.1, 12
7.7.1.1 the scorer stops play by the buzzer; the opponent gains a point and
next service;
If the rotational fault is determined only after the completion of the rally
which started with a rotational fault, only a single point is awarded to
the opponent, regardless of the result of the rally played.
6.1.3
7.7.1.2 the rotational order of the faulty team must be rectified; 7.6.1
7.7.2 Additionally, the scorer should determine the exact moment when the
fault was committed, and all points scored subsequently by the team at
fault must be cancelled. The opponent's points remain valid.
25.2.2.2
If that moment cannot be determined, no point(s) cancellation takes
place, and a point and service to the opponent is the only sanction.
6.1.3
26
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
CHAPTER 4
PLAYING ACTIONS
See Rules
8 STATES OF PLAY
8.1 BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play from the moment of the hit of the service authorized
by the 1st referee.
12, 12.3
8.2 BALL OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play at the moment of the fault which is whistled by
one of the referees; in the absence of a fault, at the moment of the
whistle.
8.3 BALL ”IN” D11 (14),
D12 (1)
The ball is “in” if at any moment of its contact with the floor, some part
of the ball touches the court, including the boundary lines.
1.1, 1.3.2
8.4 BALL “OUT”
The ball is “out” when:
8.4.1 all parts of the ball which contact the floor are completely outside the
boundary lines;
1.3.2, D11 (15),
D12 (2)
8.4.2 it touches an object outside the court, the ceiling or a person out of
play;
D11 (15),
D12 (4)
8.4.3 it touches the antennae, ropes, posts or the net itself outside the side
bands;
2.3, D3, D5a,
D11 (15),
D12 (4)
8.4.4 it crosses the vertical plane of the net either partially or totally outside
the crossing space, except in the case of Rule 10.1.2;
2.3, D5a, D5b,
D11 (15),
D12 (4)
8.4.5 it crosses completely the lower space under the net. 23.3.2.3f, D5a,
D11 (22)
OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL RULES 2025-2028 27
9 PLAYING THE BALL
Each team must play within its own playing area and space (except Rule
10.1.2). The ball may, however, be retrieved from beyond its own free
zone and over the scoring table in its complete extension.
D1b
9.1 TEAM HITS
A hit is any contact with the ball by a player in play.
The team is entitled to a maximum of three hits (in addition to blocking),
for returning the ball. If more are used, the team commits the fault of
“FOUR HITS”.
14.4.1
9.1.1 CONSECUTIVE CONTACTS
A player may not hit the ball two times consecutively (except Rules
9.2.3, 14.2 and 14.4.2).
9.2.3, 14.2,
14.4.2
9.1.2 SIMULTANEOUS CONTACTS
Two or three players may touch the ball at the same moment.
9.1.2.1 When two (or three) team-mates touch the ball simultaneously, it is
counted as two (or three) hits (with the exception of blocking). If they
reach for the ball, but only one of them touches it, one hit is counted. A
collision of players does not constitute a fault.
9.1.2.2 When two opponents touch the ball simultaneously over the net and
the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another
three hits. If such a ball goes “out”, it is the fault of the team on the
opposite side.
9.1.2.3 If simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net lead to an extended
contact with the ball, even if the contact is completed above the
opponent court play continues.
9.1.3 ASSISTED HIT
Within the playing area, a player is not permitted to take support from a
team-mate or any structure/object in order to hit the ball.
1
However, a player who is about to commit a fault (touch the net or
cross the centre line, etc.) may be stopped or held back by a team-mate.
1.3.3, 11.4.4
9.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HIT
9.2.1 The ball may touch any part of the body.
9.2.2 The ball must not be caught and/or thrown. It can rebound in any
direction.
9.3.3, D11 (16)
28
PART 2 - SECTION 1: GAME
9.2.3 The ball may touch various parts of the body, provided that the contacts
take place simultaneously.
Exceptions:
9.2.3.1 at blocking, consecutive contacts may be made by one or more player(s),
provided that the contacts occur during one action;
14.1.1, 14.2
9.2.3.2 at the first hit of the team, the ball may contact various parts of the
body consecutively, provided that the contacts occur during one action.
9.1, 14.4
9.3 FAULTS IN PLAYING THE BALL
9.3.1 FOUR HITS: a team hits the ball four times before returning it. 9.1, D11 (18)
9.3.2 ASSISTED HIT: a player takes support from a team-mate or any structure/
object in order to hit the ball within the playing area.
9.1.3
9.3.3 CATCH: the ball is caught and/or thrown; it does not rebound from
the hit.
9.2.2, D11 (16)
9.3.4 DOUBLE CONTACT: a player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball
contacts various parts of his/her body in succession.
9.2.3, D11 (17)
10 BALL AT THE NET
10.1 BALL CROSSING THE NET
10.1.1 The ball sent to the opponent's court must go over the net within the
crossing space. The crossing space is the part of the vertical plane of the
net limited as follows:
2.4, 10.2, D5a
10.1.1.1 below, by the top of the net; 2.2
10.1.1.2 at the sides, by the antennae, and their imaginary extension; 2.4
10.1.1.3 above, by the ceiling.
10.1.2 The ball, coming from the first hit of the team, that has crossed the net
plane to the opponent’s free zone totally or partly through the external
space, may be played back, within the team hits, provided that:
9.1, D5b
10.1.2.1 the opponent’s court is not touched by the player (except Rule 11.2.2.1) 11.2.2
10.1.2.2 the ball, when played back, crosses the net plane again totally or partly
through the external space on the same side of the court – if not, it
becomes ball out. The opponent team may not prevent such action.