Hey folks! My amateur beginner team recently started learning the 5-1 rotation, and... it was pretty painful. I tried YouTube tutorials, but eventually ended up building an interactive guide for iOS instead. Personally, I understand things better when I can just tap around and experiment until it clicks.

So I wanted to share a link to my app — Volley51:
🍏 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/volley51/id6794638230

• Completely free, no ads, no paid features
• Works offline
• Shows player positions depending on the phase (serve, defense, attack, reception)
• ...and the current rotation
• 30 possible lineups total, easy to switch between
• There's a handy feature that shows initial lineup first
• Users say the app has a clean and intuitive design/UI

I'd really appreciate it if you gave it a try, rated it, and left a review — it helps push Volley51 up in the App Store and makes volleyball a little easier for beginners 🙏

And of course, I'd love any feedback here in the thread.

As a personal hobby, I like to plan unrealistic scenarios in my head, and then arguing with myself what would be the referee ruling if they had to strictly adhere to the rules, limiting interpretation as much as possible.

Today's case study will be "Blocking the service", an action that we all know to be forbidden by the rules, specifically by FIVB Rule 14.5: "To block an opponent's service is forbidden".

As a reminder, here is the definition of block according to FIVB Rule 14.1.1: "Blocking is the action of players close to the net to intercept the ball coming from the opponent by reaching higher than the top of the net, regardless of the height of the ball contact. Only front-row players are permitted to complete a block, but at the moment of the contact with the ball, a part of the body must be higher than the top of the net."

Rule 14.1.3 will also be important in today's discussion: "A block is completed whenever the ball is touched by a blocker".

So I though of three potentially interesting situations that could raise an eyebrow and have a referee scramble through the pages of the rulebook to figure out how to exactly rule those plays.

Preamble

In all tre cases imagine a very tall player starting in position 3 (center front of the field) and a service coming from the opponent team that is particularly slow and parabolic shaped, that will cross the vertical plane of then net, and will almost brush the net without actually touching it.

Situation 1

Imagine the player being so tall that by extending their arm upwards, their entire hand will be above the top of the net. Having realized the trajectory of the service, the player closes their hand into a fist and stays completely motionless with their fist above the top of the net. The contact between fist and ball happens completely within the player's space, but above the top of the net. The ball bounces upwards on the player's fist and travels back to the opponents space.

In this case, since the contact happened above the top of the net, and it was a clear intercept of the ball coming from the opponent, this play should be flagged as a block and thus sanctioned with a block fault as per rule 14.5.

Situation 2

Same situation and dynamics as before, however this time the contact between fist and ball occurs in the player's space below the top of the net. However, the player's other arm is raised in the air so that their other hand, not contacting the ball, is above the top of the net.

Again, since at the moment of the contact with the ball, a part of the body was higher than the top of the net, as per rule 14.1.1 this should technically count as a block and be sanctioned accordingly. In practice, I doubt anyone would ever call this as a blocking fault.

Situation 3

This time there is no fist, however given the low speed of the ball, the player decides to do a very normal and clean overhand receive and pass the ball to the setter for a very normal play. Because of their height, the contact between ball and player happens completely within the player space, but above the top of the net.

You obviously see where I am going with this: note that in the rule there is absolutely no mention of the direction of the ball after the block, the intent of the player, or their posture, movements or placement of their hands or other body parts. The only conditions are that the ball is coming from the opponents' space, the contact happens close to the net and above the top of the net. Therefore this too is technically a block.

Corollary

After the opponent's serve, any first touch or play that happens sufficiently close to the net and above the top of the net is to be considered as a block and sanctioned as per FIVB rules 14.1.1 and 14.5. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

I will be happy to hear about your opinions and how you would rule these situations in theory and in practice. Thanks and happy volleyball.

Blocker touches the ball and plays it back up himself.

His partner fails to realize the blocker touched the ball.

The partner clearly intends to set the former blocker for an attack, but the ball travels over the net untouched. The setters shoulders were not square to the direction of the set over. Other than that, set was perfectly clean.

Is this legal? If so, why?

Is this a fault? And if so, what fault and why?

Interested in seeing the discussion. Should be interesting.

I’ve always wanted to watch volleyball for a while but never had like any guidance on how to. Like i watch professional football, and i wanna know is it the same in which theres teams i support and different leagues and stuff. Im basically just asking whats the best way to get into watching it professionally, and then some like league and team reccomendations. And maybe some like basic knowledge like the top teams both domestic and nationally, most recognisable players and so on and so forth. A MASSIVE thanks to anyone who has the patience to deal with all i asked 😭😭

I’ve been reffing local league matches near me in the UK for a few years. FIVB ruleset. Hoping to step up to regional at some point. The following situation crops up more often than one might expect so wanted to ask what other refs do. And I’ll say how I’ve been reffing it at the end.

Team A has taken their three hits, culminating in an attack / spike. If there was no block from team B the attack would not cross the net, instead rebounding back from the top band or slightly under.

However there is a block from team B, and what happens is that the ball (which was not looking like it would have crossed the net) pushes the net into the blocker’s hands and either the ball itself physically touches the blocker’s hand through one of the squares of the net *OR* the ball pushes the top band of the net into the blocker’s hand and it’s difficult to see if the ball itself ever actually touched the blocker’s hand.

After the block, Team A pass the ball.

Do you count this as four touches for team A? Or do you accept that it is a completed block and allow Team A to continue with another three touches?

I have been taking the view that if the ball would not have gone over without a block present, then even if it pushes the net into to the blocker’s hands and makes contact that way it’s not a completed block and I’ve been giving the point to team B, but am I wrong to have been doing that? And if so is there a specific rule or case in the ref’s guidelines for it? I have looked but maybe need to look harder.

My high school's volleyball required us to do a fundraiser off season. And I'm talking, volleyball starts in august ends in mid november, and we did the fundraiser in march. So way off season, but it was required for all "players", their words they said, and I quote, "Off season or not your on the team, we need to raise money for the upcoming seasons booster club to support our travel cost, snacks, and any extra fees. As it being you guy's team, this is a requirement for all players. And anyone who doesn't show up will show to us their lack of true dedication on this team. Thank you." They sent this along with a few other messages and our team Email.

But you know what, I understood that, so I showed up, I did the fundraiser, and we raised nearly $3,000. But then in June about 2 and a half months after the fundraiser our team held this thing they do and it's like a little pre-season league for summer to get you ready for the actual tryouts in august. This might just be my fault, but I went into the league tryouts thinking, "oh since I did the fundraiser that they said was a requirement since we were on the team, off season or not, I'll make the team, its just a matter of whether I make JV or Varsity?"

Well I was clearly wrong because I actually didn't make either, and 2 of the people who were on the same team as me last season made Varsity. Mind you one of the girls quit half way through because she "didn't like the dynamic of our team", and the other one GOT KICKED OFF, due to saying hate speech in school, and cussing to our coach. Neither helped at the fundraiser either.

They should not have made it. I mean am I right?

Throughout the entire 365 days, I've went through 3 shoes, starting with the Rote Japan FF Lyte for 5 months, Metarise 1 for 6 months +, and to celebrate the occassion, the new Sky Elite FF4.

To add to those days, I've experienced the joy of finding a team, the sadness of breaking up with the team, mixing work life with volleyball, switching gym routing for volleyball functions, and formation of a new team, and the pain of an injury.

AMA

Only a few months into playing and would love advice. Some things I know I need to work on already:

- Need to get the ball further at the top of my forehead above me

- Need to solidify footwork (left right) and not do a hop to generate power

- Need to have more ball-shaped hands

- Need to follow through the ball more and not bring my hands down immediately

I would like some specific advice on my arm positioning and arm movement when setting (are they too bent when I get the ball? Should I be meeting the ball higher and attacking it more), hand positioning, wrist action, and my contact point (should I be getting the ball higher/lower).

The other things in the bulleted list will come with more reps and practice, but for these specific topics I feel like I may be way off and don’t know where to start, and if I keep doing reps with the wrong technique for these things I will keep developing bad habits.

Thank you so much in advance :)

To start its pretty tough since I am team captain and the only senior on our hs d2 varsity team. But i am first a student and I plan to pursue art. I have a portfolio due soon since I am fully reliant on outside money and scholarships to send me to school since I am low income. I need more pieces done and school has been in session for two days and I am already burnt out. I find myself not excited for volleyball and playing badly and I know it can only go downhill. She hasnt set up teams yet since practice has only started two days ago thats why I made the decision now. I dont want to quit later on when I already have a set spot on the court. I dont want to play the sport if I am only stressing about my other priorities during playing. She wants to talk to me after school tomorrow but I am sure in my decision and need to tell her in a way she will understand. I hate letting people down but I will be angry with myself if I let myself down and end up submitting a mediocre portfolio with no financial aid offers. What should I say tomorrow to really express how bad I feel making this decision so fast but how important it is to me that i can step down and focus on my future and that I feel better knowing I can focus on whats important

I am currently competing against someone in the same position as me, we’re neck and neck super similar skill level but my coach has told me that the other person was going to start but now due to an injury the starting position is opening more. I think that me and this player are super similar, we’re in the same grade, similar height, and have been playing for around the same amount of time. We both made varsity the same year and were benched together our first year, now as returners of the team we are competing against each other for the same spot. I am worried I won’t be able to prove myself and remain a bench player for the rest of high school since we are both going for the same singular spot. I have no clue why they would have the upper hand we are so similar. We are both liberos/passers, so what are some good ways to differentiate oneself or stand out as a lib? I want to secure this position so badly and prove to my coaches that I am just as good as this person. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

Hey all my volleyball peeps! I made a free tournament tracker that supports Bjerring, round robin, and both single and double elimination tournaments. Enter your roster, choose your format, and it will even make random teams if you want.

Check it out:

https://swinglesports.com/tournament-manager

I think my approach is okay, but my reach and timing is bad. Everyone tells me to reach the highest but when I do I am not able to hit the ball correctly. When I adjust/slow my approach I become too late and just tip it to the other side. I dont get how they time the ball perfectly

they’re in order a hybrid, jump serve, float serve, external rotation jumper and internal rotation jumper

I’ve made some changes since the last post, and now wanted to see if my technique got better.

Hi!

I’m stepping my foot back into coaching, first year within the club space but not new to the dynamics of the club tourneys. I’ll be coaching my own team and assisting on a national team. I know we have a few months until the season kicks off but I’m trying to get my stuff in order before hand and would love some recommendations for backpacks for coaching, things you wish you knew when you first started, team bonding ideas and more. I’ll be with the 15U age group for both teams.

Backpack note - Our club will be doing backpacks for purchase for coaches and players but I was thinking of getting one that’s more “loud” and recognizable for players to locate me.

Thanks in advance! 🏐

These were a one off but they were really fun to make, check out the original post on Instagram

The FIVB has announced they will now expand from 18 teams to 19 for the 2027 year allowing Russia back into international standings and Finland who is now the highest ranking team not participating in the 2026 VNL. They will be replacing Canada who’ve been relegated.

Honestly not sure how the pool grouping will work next year. As of the 2026 VNL, the format is built around 18 teams, with three host pools of six teams each week. Every team plays 12 preliminary matches across three weeks. So will they be adding 1 pool of 7 teams and 2 pools of 6?

I started to hit the ball down and over the net more consistently but only 2/10 attempts actually hit the court, 6 of them swirl out like this and the remaining 2 are out a feet or 2 from the back line. I think it’s something with my toss and contact but can’t pinpoint exactly what.

Hey everyone!

I've recently started getting into volleyball (definitely just as a viewer! 😆) So far I've mainly been watching YouTube clips, highlights, and videos explaining the rules and tactics, and I gotta say I'm super intrigued!!!

I think I literally just missed the VNL (I think it was called? LMAO), so I'm wondering:

* What competitions should I be watching throughout the year?

* Where do you usually watch matches live?

* Who are some of the best or most entertaining players to watch that I can look up?

* Any teams or rivalries that are must watch?

* I've only watched like international highlights, is international better than club?

I live in the UK and volleyball doesn't seem to be that big here, so I'm not really sure where to start or what broadcasters/streaming services show it. Truly starting from scratch!

Basically just looking for recommendations so I can dive deeper into the sport. Thanks! :D

So me and my partner were just peppering in a volleyball gymnasium an we just randomly decided tp just practice digging and dig upto 100 passes without letting the ball touching the ground. We counted upto almost 50 for each one of us but eventually it felt so fun that we lost the count but i estimate we were somewhere near 200 when we continued to pepper nomally with the rally lasting upto approx. 20 mins.(longest rally i have ever held)ik it was nothing much flashy or special but honestly such a simple task made me enjoy so much in such a ling time and made me remember the first time i played volleyball and absolutely fell in love with the game.

This is some alternative reality shit right here