Volleyball is one of the most popular sports tody. The sport has been around for about a century now and is probably taught in all schools all over the world. The sport is fairly easy to learn and doesn't require much gear and equipment. Learning how to play volleyball is not that hard but like all sports, it requires effort and practice. The game can be played both indoors and outdoors so long as there is enough space to actually play the game.
The most basic and important equipment of the sport is of course the ball, but it should not just be any ball. Volleyball has specially designed balls specifically for the sport. Most governing bodies of the sport require that the ball be 260 to 280 grams in weight and should have an inside pressure of 0.30 to 0.325 kilograms per square centimeter. The ball should of course be spherical and made of leather or synthetic leather. With the ball, the sport can already be played but governing bodies require a court with specific measurements, a net, and probably some guidelines on the teams' uniform.
The volleyball court is 18 meters in length and 9 meters in width. The court is divided by a net at the center of the court and each half measures 9 meters. The net is one meter wide and is 2.43 meters in height for men's competition, and 2.24 meters for women's competition. There is no specific requirement as to what the net should be made of but most nets are made of plastic or nylon. Since volleyball can be played both indoors and outdoors, the volleyball court maybe in a gym, a quadrangle, a grass field or even on a beach.
There are no specific rules as to volleyball shorts or tops and players are allowed to wear padding for the knees and elbows especially if the court has a hard surface. Volleyball shoes don't really differ from shoes worn in other sports and obviously they're made of rubber. Beach volleyball players may or may not wear shoes at all and they usually wear sports sunglasses considering there's too much glare out on the beach but as already mentioned, there are no specific rules as to what players should wear when playing volleyball.
Some people prefer volleyball over other sports like basketball since volleyball can be played in almost any area, unlike basketball where it has to be played in a court with a hard surface so the ball can be dribbled. And as long as there is a ball, no other equipment like hoops are needed since the net can be dispensed with. Volleyball is also a great beach sport which makes it a whole lot of fun since you can actually play it with friends while you're out on the beach. Since volleyball is easy to play and doesn't require a lot of equipment, there's really no reason why not to learn this fun sport. It helps you keep fit and most of all, it's fun.
One of the most fun and competitive sports around is volleyball. It is a fast and intense competition that requires a large amount of agility and reflexes. Not to mention the stamina and speed that one must posses in order to be a truly great player of the game. Volleyball may not be as popular as other sports, but it certainly is just as if not more exciting as the others.
Volleyball can be played indoors or outdoors. Indoor volleyball is played on a court not unlike a basketball court. Much of the time the contest is played on a basketball court, modified for the sport of the moment. Because of this, the players do have to wear padding. Knee and elbow pads are common for participants to wear. Less padding is needed for outdoor events. It is popular to play the game on a beach in the sand, just as the Olympic version is played. Volleyball can be played almost anywhere if the ground is level enough.
The rules of volleyball are simple. Two teams of six players stand facing each other. A long and slim net separates each respective side. One player stands behind the rest of the teammates in a part of the court called the serving area. The Player will then hit the ball to the other side. This is called a serve. The opposite team must then hit the ball back to the side that originally served the ball. If the other team cannot strike it and the ball hits the ground then the rival team gets the point. Also, if the ball is knocked out of bounds by a player on one team, the the opposing team receives a point. The same rules apply for the net. If a player hits the ball and it is stopped by the net, the other team will win a point.
The most common way to hit a volleyball is by using the hand or forearms, but a player may use any part of their body to put the ball in play. As long as the ball is not caught or stopped then any strike is legal. Only two consecutive contacts may be used by a single player. Defensively, a player may run up to the net and block a strike by the opposing team. As long as the block results in the ball landing on the ground of the opposite teams floor then a point is awarded.
Volleyball teams have their own signature uniforms that they wear just like most other sports. Female players tend to sport shorter and tighter volleyball shorts as compared to the men's longer and looser shorts. The same idea goes for volleyball tops. Volleyball shoes tend to resemble running shoes, only with special made grips for the court. Players who play beach volleyball will just wear swimming suits to fit the atmosphere. Beach players also choose sports sunglasses because of the bright sun that shines as they play.
The sport of volleyball should be more popular than it is. Compared to other sports, volleyball is just as exciting if not more exciting than the rest. Tense moments and outstanding play make it that much more fun. The diving swats that some players can pull off is nothing less than amazing. It is also a wonderful exercise for those who play at home for fun. When it comes to great sports, volleyball serves up the action. |
