Indoor Volleyball at 2008 Summer Games: Volleyball is a team sport, which involves two teams. The teams are separated by a high net set at the middle of the volleyball court. The sport was invented at the end of the nineteenth century. A
volleyball team consists of six players. The aim of the sport is to pass the ball by hitting it with hand, arm or sometimes with other parts of body. Each team can hit the ball over the net for three times. Volleyball is a very dynamic sport event. The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball or the FIVB at the international level.
Indoor Volleyball in the Summer Games: Indoor volleyball was included in the Olympic schedule at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games. Since the 1964 Games, indoor volleyball has been contested regularly at the Olympic volleyball competition. The events held at the Olympic volleyball competition are -
- Men's volleyball
- Women's volleyball
Rules of Indoor Volleyball: The Federation Internationale de Volleyball or the FIVB sets the rules for indoor volleyball at the international level. Some of the rules followed during the indoor volleyball competitions are -
The dimension of the volleyball court is predetermined by the FIVB. The court should be properly marked during the competition for the players' convenience.
The surface of the volleyball court must be flat. The rough or slippery courts cannot be used during the volleyball competition. The indoor court has to be of light color.
The height of the net used during the men's competition differs from the one used during the women's competition. The height is specified by the FIVB.
The size and color of the ball used during the volleyball games are determined by the FIVB. Usually, the material of the ball is flexible leather or synthetic leather.
Generally a volleyball match consists of five sets. The team first making the two point gap is declared the winner of the match.
The members of a team have to rotate their positions during the game.
The players have to pass the ball to the opponent's court over the net. Passing the ball in any other manner is not allowed.
A team is permitted to make a maximum of six substitutions during one set.
Medal winners in Indoor Volleyball: Brazil, Italy and Russia are the leading nations in the field of men's indoor volleyball competition. The leading countries at the women's indoor volleyball competitions are Brazil, Russia, China and Cuba.
