Volleyball is the second most popular sport in the world. From its beginnings in the United States in 1895, volleyball has spread to every corner of the world and the number of players is nearing one billion. No one knows exactly why volleyball has such a huge following outside the United States but one thing is for certain: in the over 100 years of its existence, volleyball has gone through some dramatic changes. Changes made for the love of volleyball and its expansion as a popular sport. Volleyball, first known as mintonette, found its beginning in 1895. William G. Morgan, an instructor at a Young Men's Christian Association, developed a sport for young businessmen to keep in shape yet not be as physically demanding as another new sport, basketball. It was first played with a tennis net raised to a height of 6 and 1/2 feet off the floor and combined many of the rules of baseball, tennis, handball and basketball.
The Basic Rules and Regulations of Volleyball, The server must serve from behind the restraining until after contact. Ball may be served underhand or overhand. Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve. Served ball must clear the net without touching the net. Failure results in a side out. First game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game loser. Serve must be returned by a bump (dig) only. No setting or attacking a serve. Rotation, Team will rotate each time they win the serve. Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner. There shall be 4-6 players on each side. Playing the Game (Volley) Maximum of three hits per side. Player may not hit the ball twice in succession ( A block is not considered a hit ). Ball may be played off the net except on serve. A ball touching a boundary line is good. A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and including the waist which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest. If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play. A player must not block or attack a serve. Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players, (After the serve only). Basic Violations, Stepping on or over the line on a serve. Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully. Hitting the ball illegally (Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc.). Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play. Reaching over the net, except under these conditions: 1 - When executing a follow-through. 2 - When blocking a ball which is in the opponents court but is being returned (the blocker must not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact). Except to block the third play. Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or opposing player). Failure to serve in the correct order. Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the
10-foot line (refer to court diagram) while in a back row position.
The Court, Playing Area , Both indoor and outdoor courts are 18 m x 9mi (29'6" x 59'). Indoor courts also include an attack area designated by a line 3 m (9'10") back from the center line. Lines on the court are 5cm (2" wide). Net Height , Net height for men, co-ed mixed 6, & outdoor is 2.43 meters or 7'11-5/8". Net height for women, 7'4-1/8". The height of the net shall be 8'. Ball
The ball weighs between 9 and 10 ounces. Ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6.0 pounds

2 on 6, Don't overlook 2-on-6 as a skill-teaching game. Although it seems grossly unfair at first, the game teaches huge amounts about reading setters and hitters, making plays on defence, communication with teammates, accurate passing, and nearly every other phase of the game .Have the 6-player team serve, trying to get the ball within a step or two of one of the 2-player teammates. Don't have the 2-player team try to block. Rather, get down and play defence. It's a great drill, fun and enormously helpful in developing defensive toughness. Rolling before digs is another skill drill. Have a player start on the floor, roll 3 complete revolutions (the rest of the team can count them loudly, which adds to the excitement and fun). As soon as they've completed their revolutions, toss a ball in a position difficult. enough to make them work hard to pop it up. The drill can be run as if the bump was a 1st or 2nd hit, or as an emergency 3rd hit that needs to go over the net. Keep it moving, and the conditioning will improve, as well as quickness and skill level.
Volleyball strategies range from simple and obvious to highly complex. Matching strategies to the skill level is the critical first step. Teams must develop appropriate tactics for serving, receiving, offense, hitting and defense. Master the basics, then blend in more elaborate concepts. Team strategies evolve as the team evolves. The higher the skill level, the more tactical the game becomes.

Serving Strategies, Keep the opponent off-balance by hitting a variety of serves. Rotate servers at the novice level to create different looks. Use the whole service arsenal at more advanced levels. Serve short to force hitters to receive. Aim for aces at the deep corners. Mix in shots straight down the lines, giving the receiving team less time to react. Serve between players to force movement and communication. Mix in deep float serves, which can fool the receiving team with their knuckleball action. Use jump serves, which have greater downward movement than float serves. Jump serves hit deep can be difficult to return because they appear to be going out. Spot serves targeting vulnerable players or zones are also effective.
Receiving Strategies, Use serve receive formations to set up the offense. Two basic formations are the "W," which uses five players lined up like a "W," and the "U," using four, with two players up front and two in back. The "U" formation works best when players are larger and/or more skilled. There are endless variations on these formations and others. Use the formation that best helps the team set up its attack. For instance, the split "W" formation works well when the middle player is very capable.
Offensive Strategies, Select offensive schemes that fit the team's talent. The 6-2 scheme uses two setters and six hitters. Because each setter also hits when they move up in the rotation, the scheme effectively deploys six hitters. This is a good system for teams with versatile players. The 5-1 scheme has a single setter who never hits. This is used a lot at higher levels, since it allows a single setter to run the offense.
Hitting Strategies, Change up while hitting at the net. Power is a weapon at the higher levels, but finesse is just as important. Tips to open areas of the court are very effective. So is the roll shot, struck with the palm of the hand underneath the center of the ball. As hitters become more capable, they can read the defense while rising up to hit and aim the ball away from the block. The cut shot -- a cross-court hit at a sharper angle -- is a good example of that.
Defensive Strategies, Decide whether area blocking or read blocking at the net is best for the front end of the defense. Area blockers protect a designated area. Read blockers watch the hitters and move accordingly to thwart them. Beginning teams might opt for a basic rotation defense, using two blockers up front and four defending players rotating to cover the other zones of the court.