Women’s volleyball in India follows the regulations set by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the international governing body for the sport. These rules are consistent across all levels of play, including domestic competitions governed by the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI). Here are the key rules and regulations:

Court and Equipment

Court Dimensions: The court is 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, divided into two equal halves by a net.

Net Height: For women’s volleyball, the net height is 2.24 meters.

Ball: The ball is spherical, made of leather or synthetic leather, and weighs between 260-280 grams.

Teams

Team Composition: Each team consists of 12 players, with 6 players on the court and up to 6 substitutes.

Positions: The six players on the court are divided into three front-row players (attackers/blockers) and three back-row players (defenders/passers).

Match Structure

Scoring System: Matches are played in a best-of-five sets format.

• Set: A set is won by the team that first scores 25 points, with a minimum lead of two points. If the score reaches 24-24, play continues until one team leads by two points.
• Deciding Set: If the match goes to a fifth set, it is played to 15 points, with the same two-point lead requirement.

Rotation: Teams rotate clockwise each time they win back the serve from the opponents.

Serving

Service: The serve is initiated from behind the end line. The server must not step on or over the line until after the ball is hit.

Service Faults: A fault is committed if the ball fails to cross the net, lands out of bounds, or if the server steps on/over the end line during service.

Play

Ball Contact: A team is allowed a maximum of three successive contacts of the ball to return it to the opponent’s side. The contacts include:

• Pass (Bump): Usually the first contact, aimed to control the ball.
• Set: The second contact to position the ball for an attack.

Attack (Spike): The third contact to hit the ball over the net.

Block: Blocking is allowed by front-row players and does not count as one of the three contacts.

Ball In/Out: The ball is considered in if it lands on the boundary line or within the court. It is out if it lands outside the boundary lines without touching a player.

Faults and Violations

Double Hit: A player may not hit the ball twice consecutively.

Lift/Catch: The ball must not be caught or thrown; it must rebound cleanly off the player’s contact.

Net Touch: Players must not touch the net during play. This results in a point for the opponent.

Foot Fault: Players must not cross the centerline under the net.

Substitutions and Libero

Substitutions: Teams can make a maximum of six substitutions per set. A player can only be substituted once per set unless they re-enter the game in the same position as before.

Libero: The libero is a defensive specialist restricted to playing in the back row. The libero cannot serve, spike, or block. The libero wears a different colored jersey for identification.

Conduct and Discipline

Fair Play: Players must adhere to principles of fair play and respect for opponents, officials, and the rules.

Yellow and Red Cards: These cards are used to manage misconduct. A yellow card is a warning, while a red card results in a penalty point or expulsion, depending on the severity of the offense.

Officials

Referees: The match is overseen by a first referee, who has overall control, and a second referee, who assists and manages substitutions and rotations.

Line Judges: Line judges assist in determining whether the ball lands in or out of the court.

Scorer: Maintains the official match score, player rotations, and substitutions.

Domestic Competitions

Tournaments: Various national and state-level tournaments are organized by the VFI, including the Senior National Volleyball Championship, zonal championships, and inter-state competitions.

League Play: Leagues like the Pro Volleyball League feature domestic and international players, following international rules and providing a platform for professional women’s volleyball.

These rules ensure that women’s volleyball in India is played fairly and consistently, fostering the growth and popularity of the sport.