How many players are on a volleyball team?

In indoor volleyball each team has 6 players on court, plus substitutes. Only 6 can play at the same time.

How do you win a set in volleyball?

A set is won by reaching 25 points with at least a 2-point lead. If tied at 24-24, play continues until one team leads by 2.

How many touches can a team make?

Each team can touch the ball a maximum of 3 times before sending it to the opponent side. The same player cannot touch the ball twice in a row.

Indoor Volleyball Rules 2026: Official Guide, Rotations and Fouls

Indoor volleyball rules are designed to ensure fair and exciting play. Knowing them is fundamental to playing correctly.

⚡ Quick summary:

Matches are best of 5 sets: first four to 25 points and the fifth to 15.
A minimum 2-point difference is always required to close a set or match.
Each team has a maximum of 3 touches to return the ball.
Rotation is mandatory when your team regains serve (clockwise order).
The libero has specific restrictions: no blocking and no attack above net height.

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Basic Rules

Essential fundamentals that every player should know.

Game Fundamentals:

Objective: Send the ball to the opponent's court to touch the ground
Players: 6 per team on court
Duration: Best of 5 sets
Scoring: Rally point system (each play worth one point)

Court Dimensions:

Court: 18 x 9 meters
Net: 2.43m (men) / 2.24m (women)
Attack line: 3 meters from the net
Service zone: 9 meters wide

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Scoring System

How points are scored and a match is won.

How Points are Scored:

Rally Point: Each play worth one point
Direct point: Ball touches opponent's court ground
Opponent error: Ball out, net touch, etc.
Successful block: Block counts as first touch

Winning a Set:

Points needed: 25 points
Minimum difference: 2 point advantage
Decisive set: 15 points (if 5th set needed)
Tie: Continue until 2 point advantage

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Rotation and Positions

Rotation system and positions on the court.

Rotation System:

Rotation: Clockwise when winning serve
Positions: 6 numbered positions 1 to 6
Order: Maintain rotation order
Libero: Does not rotate, enters and exits freely

Court Positions:

Position 1: Service zone (back right)
Position 2: Front right
Position 3: Front center
Position 4: Front left
Position 5: Back left
Position 6: Back center

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Faults and Violations

Main faults that can be committed during play.

Main Faults:

Four touches: More than 3 touches per team
Double touch: Player touches ball twice consecutively
Net touch: Touching net during play
Invasion: Touching ball in opponent court
Ball out: Ball touches outside boundaries
Service error: Feet outside service zone

Libero Restrictions:

Cannot attack: Cannot spike from any height
Cannot block: Cannot participate in blocks
Cannot serve: Cannot perform serve
Unlimited changes: Can enter and exit freely

Most common indoor volleyball faults

This table summarizes the violations that most often give points away in amateur and competitive matches.

Fault	What causes it	Consequence
Four hits	The team touches the ball 4 times before sending it to the opposite court	Point and serve to the opponent
Double contact	The same player touches the ball twice in a row	Point to the opponent
Net touch	Illegal contact with the net during play	Point to the opponent
Invasion	Entering the opponent court and interfering with play	Point to the opponent
Rotation fault	Incorrect positional order when serving	Point to the opponent and position correction
Service out or into the net	The serve does not land in the opponent court	Direct point to the opponent

Specific Rules by Position

Setter

Can block and attack from attack zone
Cannot block in defense zone
Can perform second touch from any position

Libero

Cannot attack or block
Can perform finger pass from defense zone
Unlimited changes with defense zone players

Hitters

Can attack from attack zone
Cannot attack from defense zone
Can block in any position

Changes and Substitutions

Substitution Rules

Maximum: 6 substitutions per set
Reversibility: Player can leave and return
Libero: Unlimited changes with defense zone players
Time: 30 seconds to complete substitution

Timeouts

Number: 2 timeouts per set per team
Duration: 30 seconds each
Usage: Only when team has the ball
Decisive set: 1 additional timeout per team

Competition Rules

Match Format

Sets: Best of 5 sets
Normal sets: Up to 25 points
Decisive set: Up to 15 points
Difference: Minimum 2 point advantage

Referees and Officials

First referee: Controls the game from the referee stand
Second referee: Controls the net and center line
Scorer: Records score and substitutions
Line judges: 4 judges (2 per side)

Related Pages

Discover more volleyball-related content:

Indoor Volleyball Rules 2026