The rules of Sitting volleyball are essential to ensure fair play and safety for all players involved. Here is a detailed breakdown of the rules:
Court and Equipment
The sitting volleyball court is smaller than a standard volleyball court, measuring 10 meters by 6 meters. The net height is set at 1.15 meters for men and 1.05 meters for women. The ball used is similar to a standard volleyball but slightly lighter.
Teams and Players
Each team consists of 6 players on the court at a time, with a maximum of 12 players on the roster. Players must have a permanent physical disability that prevents them from playing standing volleyball to participate in sitting volleyball.
Gameplay
- The game is played in sets, with the first team to reach 25 points winning the set. A team must win by at least 2 points.
- Each set is played to a maximum of 5 sets. If a tiebreaker is needed, the final set is played to 15 points.
- Players must remain seated at all times with their buttocks in contact with the floor. They can move around the court using their hands to propel themselves.
- Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 hits to return the ball over the net.
- The ball can touch the net on a serve but must clear the net on a return.
Serving
Serving is a crucial aspect of sitting volleyball. Here are some key rules regarding serving:
- Serves must be done from a seated position, with the ball contacting the floor behind the end line.
- Serves must be underhand, and the server cannot touch the floor in front of the end line until after making contact with the ball.
- Service rotation is not required in sitting volleyball.
Blocking and Attacking
Blocking and attacking are important offensive and defensive strategies in sitting volleyball. Here are the rules regarding blocking and attacking:
- Players are allowed to block the opponent’s attack, but their hands or arms must not penetrate the plane of the net.
- Attack hits must be executed while the player is in contact with the floor. Jumping or lifting the body off the floor for an attack hit is not allowed.
Substitutions
Substitutions are allowed in sitting volleyball to give teams the flexibility to make strategic changes during the game. Here are the rules regarding substitutions:
- Substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play and with the referee’s permission.
- Substituted players must enter and exit the court at the centerline.
Libero Player
Similar to standing volleyball, sitting volleyball allows for a libero player who is a defensive specialist. Here are the rules regarding the libero player:
- The libero player wears a contrasting color jersey and can replace any back-row player without prior notification to the officials.
- The libero player cannot serve, spike the ball while in front of the attack line, or attempt a block.
Scoring
Scoring in sitting volleyball follows a similar format to standard volleyball. Here are the key points to remember:
- Points are scored when the ball hits the opponent’s court or if the opponent commits a fault.
- If the serving team wins a rally, they score a point and continue to serve. If the receiving team wins the rally, they earn the right to serve.
Officials and Decisions
Officials play a crucial role in ensuring the game is played fairly and according to the rules. Here are some key points regarding officials and their decisions:
- A sitting volleyball match is typically officiated by two referees and a scorer.
- Referees have the final say on all decisions, including faults, points, and conduct violations.
- Players and coaches must respect the decisions made by the referees, even if they disagree.