SportsFoundation

Volleyball History: Timeline & How it started

Photo of author

Kelly Wiese

March 12, 2024

We are reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.  Learn more.

volleyball history essay

Dive into the fascinating world of Volleyball History, exploring the origins, growth, and captivating events that shaped this exhilarating sport.

Discover the key moments and people that define Volleyball’s legacy and impact worldwide.

Let’s serve it up!

Volleyball

Table of Contents

Volleyball History Summary

Who invented volleyball, how did volleyball become so popular, where did volleyball originate.

  • ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Volleyball, invented by William G. Morgan in 1895, was initially called “Mintonette” and emerged as a less intense alternative to basketball. The game evolved through rule changes, including the introduction of the three-hit rule and the shift to modern scoring methods.
  • 🚀   Rise to Prominence: From its humble beginnings in a Massachusetts YMCA gym, volleyball quickly gained popularity in schools, colleges, and clubs across the United States. The sport’s international expansion began in the early 20th century, reaching Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and eventually becoming an Olympic event in 1964.
  • 🥇   Noteworthy Growth and Adaptation: Volleyball has adapted to various formats and styles, including beach volleyball, which made its Olympic debut in 1996. Technological advancements and rule changes have shaped the game’s development, while its global popularity continues to thrive through professional leagues, international competitions, and grassroots initiatives.

Volleyball History Timeline

William G. Morgan, a physical education director at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts, invented the sport known as “Mintonette,” which would later become modern volleyball. Morgan designed the game to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball, offering a less intense and more accessible alternative to basketball.

Mintonette was first played in a local YMCA gymnasium on February 9, 1895, with a net height of 6 feet 6 inches, a court size of 25 x 50 feet, and teams of nine players each. The rules and gameplay have evolved significantly since then.

In 1916, the “three hits” rule was introduced, allowing each team to touch the ball a maximum of three times on their side before sending it over the net. This significant rule change transformed the game into a more dynamic and strategic sport. During this period, the Philippines developed the “bomba” or “spike,” a powerful offensive technique that added another layer of excitement to the game.

Also in 1916, the sport was introduced to the American Expeditionary Forces stationed in Europe during World War I, further contributing to its global expansion.

By the 1940s, volleyball had become a popular sport globally, and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball ( FIVB ) was founded in 1947. This governing body aims to develop and promote volleyball worldwide, sanctioning international competitions, and setting standard rules and regulations for the sport.

The first FIVB-organized World Championships were held in 1949 for men and in 1952 for women. These events marked the beginning of organized international volleyball competitions and showcased the sport’s talented players at a global level.

Volleyball made its Olympic debut during the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games, with both men’s and women’s events. Since then, it has remained a staple of the Olympic program, growing in popularity and attracting athletes and fans from around the world.

The Soviet Union won the first men’s Olympic gold medal, while Japan clinched gold in the women’s event. These victories highlighted the progress and development of volleyball in these nations and ignited interest in the sport around the globe.

The 1980s were marked by significant rule changes, including the introduction of the 5-set game and Rally Point System, which allowed teams to score points on both their own serve and the opponent’s serve. This new scoring system sped up matches and intensified the competition.

During this era, legendary players such as Karch Kiraly emerged, setting new standards for excellence in the sport and inspiring a new generation of volleyball enthusiasts.

Beach volleyball, a popular variation of the sport played on sand with teams of two, made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. This addition brought an exciting new dimension to the Olympic volleyball program and attracted an even broader audience to the sport.

The first beach volleyball Olympic gold medals went to Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes of the United States for men, and Sandra Pires and Jackie Silva of Brazil for women, showcasing the dominance of these nations in this thrilling adaptation of the sport.

In the 2000s, the popularity of volleyball continued to grow, both internationally and at the grassroots level. New professional leagues emerged, providing opportunities for athletes and further raising the sport’s profile.

Technological advancements in equipment, training, and analytics transformed how the game was analyzed and played, allowing for deeper insights into tactics, performance, and player development.

After delving into the sport’s past, learn about its physical demands and why many consider volleyball the hardest sport .

Volleyball

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical education director, in the United States in 1895.

Volleyball gained popularity due to its accessibility as a sport requiring minimal equipment, captivating rallies, and the global reach of tournaments such as the Olympics.

Volleyball originated in the United States, specifically at the Holyoke, Massachusetts YMCA, where it was first called “mintonette”.

Ice Hockey History

Kelly is a travel lover, and an adventure and sports enthusiast, and lover of all things wine. Kelly’s passion lies in exploring Canada and other parts of the world and sharing her experiences with others. As a senior traveller, Kelly aims to inspire others to live their best life and not be afraid to venture out into the world on their own. She encourages solo travel and offers tips and advice on how to do it safely and confidently. In sports, she was one of the MVP provincial champs in volleyball, have 4 years recreational experience in beach volleyball and was an MMA black belt and former instructor.

Related Posts

Top 10 Best Brands for Volleyball in the World

Top 10 Best Brands for Volleyball in the World

Want to smash the competition and serve up some style? Hit the court with gear from brands that are acing…

30 Must-Know Volleyball Terms, Phrases and Slang

30 Must-Know Volleyball Terms, Phrases and Slang

Spike your interest in volleyball with the ultimate serve of terms and slang! Whether you’re a newbie or owning the…

Who Invented Volleyball?

Who Invented Volleyball?

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in 1895. He is commonly known as the “inventor of volleyball.” Morgan aimed…

guest

  • Newsletter (free downloads)
  • YouTube (420k+ views)
  • Pinterest (111k+ monthly views)
  • Instagram (5 Reels a Week)
  • TikTok (5 Videos a Week)
  • ❄️ Winter & Ice Sports
  • ⚽ Ball Sports
  • 🥊 Combat & Strength Sports
  • 🪂 Extreme & Adventure Sports
  • 🎯 Precision Sports
  • 🏸 Racquet Sports
  • 🌊 Watersports
  • 🏃‍♀️ Athletics & Endurance Sports
  • Press Releases
  • SportColorCodes.com

volleyball history essay

© Sun Media Brands,

Terms of Use Earnings Disclaimer Privacy Policy

We are reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

volleyball history essay

  • Advertise on Volleyball.Com
  • Contact Volleyball.Com
  • Join Volleyball.Com’s Team
  • Returns on Prior Orders

Volleyball.Com Logo

History of Volleyball

  • Volleyball Terms
  • Volleyball Rules
  • Build a Sand Volleyball Court
  • Outside Hitters
  • Middle Hitting Drills
  • Defensive Volleyball Drills
  • Serve Receive
  • Transition Drills
  • Conditioning
  • Camps, Leagues, Colleges
  • Rotator Cuff Injury
  • Thumb Sprain
  • Finger Sprain
  • Jumpers Knee
  • Sprained or Twisted Ankle
  • Shin Splints
  • Groin Strain
  • Hamstring Strain
  • Calf Strain
  • Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spur)

The sport originated in the United States, and is now just achieving the type of popularity in the U.S. that it has received on a global basis, where it ranks behind only soccer among participation sports.

Today there are more than 46 million Americans who play volleyball. There are 800 million players worldwide who play volleyball at least once a week.

In 1895, William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Mass., decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball. He created the game of Volleyball (at that time called, Mintonette ). Morgan borrowed the net from tennis, and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the average man’s head.

During a demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be volleying the ball back and forth over the net, and perhaps “volleyball” would be a more descriptive name for the sport. On July 7, 1896 at Springfield College the first game of “volleyball” was played.

  • 1895: William G. Morgan (1870-1942) created the game of volleyball but called the game Mintonette .
  • 1896: The first exhibition match of volleyball is played at Springfield College (called International YMCA Training school in 1896).
  • 1900: A special ball was designed for the sport.
  • 1916: In the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike ) were introduced.
  • 1917: The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.
  • 1920s: There are unconfirmed whispers of men’s teams playing on the beach in Hawaii, but most accounts place the sport’s origin in Santa Monica, California where the first Volleyball courts are put up on the beach at the Playground. Families play 6 vs. 6.
  • 1920: Three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.
  • 1922: The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11 states were represented.
  • 1928: It became clear that tournaments and rules were needed, the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA, now USA Volleyball) was formed. The first U.S. Open was staged, as the field was open to non-YMCA squads.
  • 1930s: The first two-man beach volleyball game is played in Santa Monica, California.
  • 1934: The approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.
  • 1937: At the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball Association as the official National Governing Body (NGB) in the U.S.
  • 1947: The Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) was founded.
  • 1948: The first two-man beach tournament was held.
  • 1949: The initial World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
  • 1964: Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
  • 1965: The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.
  • 1974: The World Championships in Mexico were telecast in Japan.
  • 1975: The U.S. National Women’s team began a year-round training regime in Pasadena, Texas (moved to Colorado Springs in 1979, Coto de Caza and Fountain Valley, CA in 1980, and San Diego, CA in 1985).
  • 1976: First professional beach volleyball tournament was called the Olympia World Championship of Beach Volleyball. It took place at Will Rogers State Beach during late summer in 1976.
  • 1977: The U.S. National Men’s team began a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio (moved to San Diego, CA in 1981).
  • 1983: The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.
  • 1984: The U.S. won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold, and the Women the Silver.
  • 1986: The Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.
  • 1988: The U.S. Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.
  • 1989: The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.
  • 1990: The World League was created.
  • 1992: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Bronze at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
  • 1995: The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old! This Web site – Volleyball.Com goes live!
  • 1996: 2-person Beach Volleyball debuted as an Olympic sport.
  • 1997: Dain Blanton (with Canyon Ceman) becomes the first African-American professional beach volleyball player to win a tournament on the Miller Lite/AVP Tour.
  • 1998: For the first time in the FIVB World Tour, men and women players are rewarded at the same level with $170,000 in total prize money per Open event.
  • 1999: For the first time beach volleyball was included in the Pan American Games which were held in Canada.
  • 2000: Olympic Beach Volleyball Men’s Gold medallists: Eric Fomoimoana & Dain Blanton (USA). The women’s Beach Volleyball America (BVA) announces their inaugural season of play.
  • 2001: Christopher “Sinjin” Smith plays the final match of his impressive career, a 21-19 and 24-22 loss with George Roumain to Dax Holdren and Todd Rogers in the 4th round of the contender’s bracket at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Sinjin retires as the leader in tournaments played with 416, 2nd in all-time victories with 139, and 4th in all-time winnings with over US$1.6 million earned.
  • 2002: Beach volleyball court dimensions reduced to 8m x 8m per side.
  • 2003: Karch Kiraly becomes the first player to earn US$3M in prize money and oldest player to win an AVP tournament at age 42 years, 9 months and 14 days. (You’re never too old for volleyball!)
  • 2004: U.S. Women’s team Kerri Walsh and Misty May Win the Gold medal in the Women’s Olympic Beach Volleyball Title in Athens, Greece.
  • 2005: Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win their second Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Open women’s title and the 2005 overall women’s championship.
  • 2006: Elaine Youngs’ second place finish (with Rachel Wacholder) in Seaside Heights pushes her career earnings past $1 million. She becomes the third American woman to achieve that mark.
  • 2006: In Seaside Heights, both Casey Jennings (with Matt Fuerbringer) and Kerri Walsh (with Misty May-Treanor) won titles, becoming just the second husband-wife duo to win pro beach events on the same weekend. They join Mike and Patty Dodd, who accomplished the feat four times in 1989, but each time in different locations.
  • 2006: Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win in Chicago as Walsh joins the millionaire club. She is the 18th person worldwide to win over $1 million in her career, and did so in fewer events (90th tournament) as well as being one of just four to reach the mark before turning 28 years old.
  • 2007: Misty May-Treanor passes Brazilians Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede as the most winning player since the women’s competition on the international beach volleyball circuit began in 1992.
  • 2007: Misty May-Treanor becomes the women’s all-time wins leader by capturing her 73rd victory, surpassing Holly McPeak’s record by winning with Kerri Walsh in Hermosa Beach. She reached this total in just 123 tournaments — winning 57.5% of her events.
  • 2007: In a championship match that lasted 1:41, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs defeat Jennifer Boss and April Ross 21-19, 18-21, 16-14 in Seaside Heights. The marathon set the record for the longest match in rally scoring, men or women, in domestic or international play.
  • 2007: Karch Kiraly retires to close an impressive career on the beach, leaving as the all-time wins leader and money earner. His longevity was marked by the fact he won a tournament in 24 different years, and he advanced to the semifinals in over 75% of all the events he ever played and was named as the AVP’s MVP a record-most six times.
  • 2008: Hot Winter Nights, a series of 19 events in January and February, kicks off in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma marking the first ever indoor beach volleyball tour. Mark Williams and Nancy Mason are the first winners in the “King of the Beach format” events.
  • 2008: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
  • 2008: U.S. Women’s Beach Volleyball team Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take the Gold medal in Volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. China placed in both Silver and Bronze categories. U.S. Beach Volleyball’s Men’s team Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rodgers also took the Gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Brazil men’s teams placed in both Bronze and Silver categories.
  • 2012: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
  • 2012: U.S. Women’s team Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings return to the Summer games in London to successfully defend their Gold medal wins of 2008 and 2004 and become the only Women’s team in the sport’s history to ever win three consecutive Olympic Gold medals. Jennifer Kessey and April Ross of the United States win the Silver medal the same year.
  • 2016: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team qualifies to play at the Summer Olympics in Rio.
  • 2016: Today, people all over the world play volleyball. Research shows volleyball is one of the top 3 most popular sports for women to play in high school. However, people of all ages find enjoyment in recreational volleyball, as its’ popularity continues to grow.
  • Volleyball 101
  • Volleyball Drills
  • Volleyball Forum
  • Sports Injuries

Recent Posts

  • Major in Sand Volleyball!?!
  • Greece to change famous volleyball court into a court of a different kind.
  • Where O’ Where is the 2016 Club World Championship going to be????
  • 2016 AVP Schedule

Recent Tweets

Follow Us on Facebook

Volleyball Expert

  • Home →
  • Volleyball History →

The Complete History of Volleyball (From 1985 Until Now)

history-of-volleyball

Volleyball is the second most popular participation sport worldwide, behind only soccer.

Over 800 million people around the globe play volleyball weekly, with Americans only representing about 6% of the international weekly volleyball players.

But this number is sure to increase as volleyball is rapidly becoming immensely popular everywhere around the world.

So where did our amazing sport come from?

Let’s take an in-depth look at the history volleyball from its creation in 1895 through today.

volleyball on the court

The Birth of Volleyball

William Morgan (no, not Captain William Morgan) was an instructor at a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the late 1800s.

In 1895, he decided he needed to create a game more suitable for the less athletic, business focused boys and men at the YMCA.

A game that would still require strength and skill, but be appropriate for people less mobile.

He would call this game “mintonette”.

William had the opportunity to interact with a man by the name of James Naismith during his time at Springfield College, in the early 1890s.

Naismith, of course, was the inventor of what is now internationally known as basketball.

Mr. Morgan was inspired by Naismith’s creativity and set out to create a sport blending the skills of basketball, baseball, handball, and tennis, wanting to borrow some ideas as he had limited time to come up with his invention.

All the while, he was keeping in mind his goal of creating a game for all age levels and strengths.

His creation was finally completed in 1895.

At that point, William had a set of ground rules made up to facilitate the game.

He used a tennis net, lifted to the height of six feet and six inches.

He chose a court roughly 30 feet wide and 60 feet long (probably close to 25 x 50 at first), to ensure the game could be played in gymnasiums all around the country.

Here is a short list of the rules, as originally set forth by William Morgan in 1895.

There are some distinct differences between the game at its inception and the game as it will be even 30 years later, in the early 1920s.

1. The game will last nine “innings”.

2. An inning correlates to the number playing. If one man is on each side – then an inning is one serve series per side. A lost serve is half the inning.

3. A serve must be struck and hit over the net. The server has two tries to get it in (like tennis), however, if a teammate hits the ball after the service to “help” it over it is good.

4. A side only scores when serving – as in side out scoring.

5. The ball is considered dead anytime it hits the net. No “let serves” or playing it out of the net.

6. The line is considered out.

7. Any number of people can play, if teams are equal.

8. If a ball touches a wall or ceiling and bounces back in play, it is still live.

9. No limit to hits per side and no limits to hits in a row by the same player (dribbling).

The Creation of a New Ball

As William worked on his new game, he did have one major hiccup…

He faced quite a challenge selecting an appropriate ball to be struck back and forth.

A basketball was too heavy. Even with the leather stripped off, the bladder was not substantial enough.

So, Mr. Morgan sought the assistance of a familiar name in the world of sports goods – A.G. Spalding & Bros.

Along with Dale Callaghan, a specialized ball was created that was about 26 inches in circumference and weighing in at around 10.5 ounces.

This provided the very rough outline for what would become the modern-day volleyball.

The Death of “Mintonette”

It was time for William Morgan to debut his new game to the world, or at least those in attendance at the new East Gymnasium at the Springfield College.

Mr. Morgan announced his sport as “mintonette” and his presentation would include two teams of five men to demonstrate the game and its rules.

In attendance that day was a significant figure at Springfield College, Professor Alfred T. Halstead. Mr. Halstead suggested that the game was a masterpiece, however, the name was a little lacking…

Halsted stated that it appeared the men were volleying the ball back and forth to each other and the game should be called “volleyball”.

The day Mintonette had its debut, it lost its name to the term Volleyball.

On July 7, 1896, volleyball had its first official game.

From there, William Morgan moved on from the YMCA to pursue other careers. He was said to simply be proud that volleyball was being enjoyed by so many people.

William Morgan would die on December 27, 1942.

His name continues to be honored in the volleyball world, as the top male and female players at the United States collegiate volleyball level are awarded the Morgan Trophy each year.

volleyball gym by Paul Simpson @Flickr

The Spread of Volleyball

From its introduction in 1896 to the people of the local YMCA and Springfield College, volleyball has traveled all the way around the world.

It has spread relatively organically through a variety of social coincidences and intentional introductions.

The YMCA played a major role in the globalization of volleyball. The sport was spread to areas of YMCA influence in the early 1900s.

Areas like Canada, Asia, and South America saw an influx of people playing volleyball around the turn of the 20 th century.

Volleyball picked up in popularity quickly from there and spread to areas of the Caribbean and fully inundated South America.

In 1907, the Playground of America convention highlighted volleyball as one of the “most popular sports” of the time, and in 1913, volleyball was introduced to competition at the Far Eastern games.

Another significant impact on the global distribution of volleyball was the disbursement of U.S. military members throughout the world in late 1910s.

In 1919, around 16,000 service members were presented with volleyballs, and the game was spread to many nations at this time by those serving abroad.

Fast forward to 1964 and volleyball makes its Olympics debut in Tokyo, Japan. A more modern ball was introduced by Japanese players.

The 1960s were quite innovative for volleyball as the dink, bump, and block were all introduced to the game.

In 1996, beach volleyball finds its way into the Olympics and the indoor game is streamlined.

1996 marks the seismic increase in the global popularity of competitive volleyball.

volleyball and flag on the court

Volleyball Changes Over Time

Like all sports, volleyball has seen some significant changes since its inception in the late 1800s.

Rules have come and gone, as have strategies.

Let’s look at some key rule changes throughout the 100+ years of volleyball’s existence.

• 1900: Net height raised to 7’6”.

• 1912: Establishment of six players per side and rotation before the serve.

• 1916: Establishment that ball must be touched by another player after each contact.

• 1916: Net height raised to 8’0”.

• 1920: Only three hits per side introduced.

• 1922: Back line touching rules introduced. Win by two precedent set.

• 1925: Introduction of basic substitution rules and limitations.

• 1937: Multiple contacts allowed on hard hit balls.

• 1938: Blocking rules introduced – one or two man block allowed but had to be adjacent.

• 1940: Ball rules clarified – must be 12-piece laced leather ball.

• 1949: Three man block legalized.

• 1951: Back line hits allowed by back row players.

• 1952: Serves from anywhere behind the service line – making way for jump serves.

• 1956: Rotational rules set.

• 1960: Women’s net height lowered to 7’4”.

• 1968: “Spiking line” moved from seven feet to what is now the 10-foot line (3m line).

• 1974: Antennae were officially added to the net set up.

• 1976: Blocks no longer count as first touch. Rescinded the hard hit ball contact rule.

• 1984: Double contact allowed on serve receives. Blocking or attacking serve illegal.

• 1999: Introduction of rally scoring. Games to 25 (deciding games to 15) – win by two.

• 2001: “Let” serve in play (ball can touch net and still be played if in opponent court).

• 2002: Coaches allowed to communicate with players throughout play.

As we can see, a myriad of changes occurred as the popularity of volleyball grew internationally.

Many rules were introduced, rescinded, and reintroduced several times as the rules continued to be ironed out.

volleyball court

Who Makes the Volleyball Rules Now?

As volleyball has settled into its own over the century or so it has been around, many have had input on the rules and laws of the sport.

As early as 1928, an association now known as USA Volleyball (formerly the United States Volleyball Association or USVBA) was formed to address standardization of the rules of the game.

This allowed the game to be played across the nation under the same guidelines, making events like the first volleyball U.S. Open possible.

About 20 years later, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball was introduced in Paris, France, as an international governing body, providing worldwide stability for the growing game.

In turn, international tournaments could be organized utilizing the rules set forth by the new international federation.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the NCAA officially sanctioned volleyball and national teams were organized for Olympic and international tournament play.

From there, into the 1980s, two-man beach volleyball gained notoriety and was given an international stage in 1996 at the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

While there are several national and international groups determining their specific rules of the game, volleyball has come into a time of stability and popularity like never before.

Rule changes are minor and hardly prevalent, and competitive play is popular amongst all age groups.

It is truly astounding to see how far volleyball has come in its relatively short lifetime.

From a game created for the “less mobile” to what has become a wildly popular display of athleticism, Mr. William Morgan discovered something he would probably not have imagined could grow so big.

A truly global sport, played by almost a billion people worldwide, volleyball has a rich history and an even brighter future.

Now get out there and join the masses on a volleyball court near you!

volleyball history essay

Please include the contribution of the Philippines namely the three hits rule i. e. passing, setting, spiking known as Filipino bomb spike and the production of the Libero monitoring sheet now known as R-6.

Leave a reply:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Leave a Reply:

  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Information Science and Technology
  • Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Sports Volleyball

The History of Volleyball: Evolution and Global Impact

History of volleyball: from ymca to global recognition.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

writer logo

  • Michael Jordan
  • American Football

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Volleyball Kong

Volleyball Through Time: A Brief History of Volleyball

Last Updated: September 25, 2023

As a volleyball enthusiast, knowing the sport’s history is important. It helps you understand the game’s roots and how it evolved into what it is today.

In this post, I will review volleyball’s history, highlighting how it began, where and who started it, and what developments it has undergone. Additionally, I’ll also discuss its international governing body.

If this history looks like something you’d want to learn, keep reading.

history of volleyball

The Beginning

Volleyball can be traced back to very humble beginnings. Its origin is pinned to William G. Morgan , born in 1870. ( 1 )

Morgan undertook his university studies at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Springfield College. It is while there that he met and interacted with James Naismith – the man who had earlier invented basketball.

One year after graduating, William G. Morgan moved to the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts ( 2 ), where he became the director of physical education. This role allowed him to develop, establish, and direct various sports and exercise programs for male adults.

During this time, basketball had begun developing as a sport, but it suited younger people because of the intensive energy needed to play it. So, this sparked the idea of developing a less intensive and less violent sport suitable even for the older members.

After much research and consideration, in 1895, William invented volleyball as a fallback activity for basketball players who found the game’s ‘jolting’ and ‘bumping’ a bit strenuous. Initially, he referred to the game as Mintonette .

William Morgan then approached John Lynch and Dr. Frank Wood, his friends from Holyoke, to help him assemble volleyball’s basic concepts and the first 10 rules.

He introduced it a year later, in 1986, at the YMCA physical director’s conference at Springfield College in Massachusetts. This conference brought together all YMCA physical education directors, before which Morgan demonstrated his proposed game.

William Morgan put together two teams of five people each and some fans and brought them to Springfield to make the demonstration. One of the teams’ captains was J.J Curran and the other was John Lynch, who were mayor and Chief of Holyoke fire brigade, respectively.

During the Conference, Morgan explained that the new game, volleyball, was by design meant to be played indoors but could also be played outdoors. He added that the number of players was not limited to 5 but unlimited, and the game’s objective was to keep the ball in constant motion from one side to the other over the high net.

At the time of its introduction, volleyball was incomplete. It had no concrete rules or specific format that guided its play. Nonetheless, Morgan explained the few rules he formulated with the assistance of his friends and handed the YMCA physical education directors present at the conference hand-written copies of the rules to guide them as they developed the game. A special committee was constituted to study the game’s rules and give suggestions for its teaching and promotion.

In the 1896 edition of Physical Education, a brief report on volleyball and its rules was published. In 1897, the sport’s rules were included in the North American YMCA Athletic League’s first official handbook,

As a result, the delegation was convinced and won over, and thus, volleyball became part of the YMCA’s broad network.

Mintonette, Volley Ball and Volleyball

Initially, volleyball was referred to as Mintonette. How did the name change occur?

During the demonstration game at YMCA College in Springfield, Professor Alfred T. Halstead, who was among the delegates present, noted the ball movement. He then called the attention of everyone to the ball’s movement and remarked that the players seemed to be volleying the ball continuously over the net.

He then suggested changing the name from “Mintonette” to “Volley Ball” since the latter was more descriptive of the game. Morgan and the conference adopted this suggestion, and the name was changed.

The name Volley Ball survived the years until it was slightly altered in 1952 by the Administrative Committee of the United States Volleyball Association ( 3 ). The committee voted to spell Volley Ball as a single word, “Volleyball.”

Origin of Volleyball Equipment

Perhaps you are wondering, if the sport was a new invention, how was the volleyball’s equipment pieced up?

During volleyball’s introduction, William explained how he put together the sport’s equipment.

He explained that tennis crossed his mind as he looked for an alternative sport for the basketball players. However, playing tennis requires balls, rackets, a net, and other equipment. So the entire game wasn’t a viable option, safe for the net, which seemed great. So, volleyball adopted the net from tennis, and the height of the net was raised as high as above the head of an average man.

After finding the net, the sport needed a ball. Since it was basketball-inspired, the basketball bladder was the first ball they tried out. This was light and slow. They also tried the basketball itself, but this was not only too big but also heavy.

Eventually, Morgan approached A.G Spalding & Bros. to make a ball suitable for volleyball. The company did this at their factory close to Chicopee, Massachusetts. ( 4 )

The outcome was good enough: a leather-covered ball with an inner rubber tube and a circumference between 25 and 27 inches (63.5 and 68.6 centimeters, respectively). Its weight was between 9 and 12 ounces (252 and 336 grams).

This new ball was lighter and smaller, just what was needed. It was introduced in 1900 and opened up various technical and tactical possibilities for volleyball.

How Volleyball Developed

After its introduction, the following years saw many of the game’s new rules being drawn up. The game banked heavily on the YMCA’s vast popularity to go worldwide. YMCA had established solid foundations in Africa, China, India, South America, and Europe, which was invaluable in helping promote volleyball in such regions.

In 1896, volleyball, through the YMCA network, reached Asian and Japanese regions, and over the next two decades, rules and structures were put in place.

In 1916, the “set” and “spike” were created in the Philipines, a new method of offensively playing the game. It was called the ‘Filipino bomb’ or ‘bomba’ because of the ball’s landing pace in the opponent’s court.

Two years later, the six-a-side play was set to be the standard . Rules mandating back-row attacks and three hits per side were instituted by 1920.

During the 1920s, Russia, the United States, and Japan started national volleyball associations. The U.S. soldiers also took the sport overseas during the Second World War, which caused the game to spread speedily across Europe.

In this period, Volleyball was restricted to just a few regions, and different countries had varied rules. But this changed in 1947 when Volleyball’s international governing body was formed .

A few years later, France joined the list of countries recognizing the sport nationally.

In 1949, Volleyball was made a non-Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the first men’s World Championships took place in the same year. Three years later, the first world championships for women were held.

Over time, the Russians dominated the sport until mid-1980, when the U.S. teams won back-to-back gold in 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1988 (Seoul).

Volleyball’s International Governing Body

Since it was introduced, volleyball had no international governing body. But in 1947, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was established.( 5 )

Representatives from 14 nations (Brazil, Belgium, Egypt, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, France, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, and the USA) met in Paris to set up a volleyball international governing association.

This meeting was done under the leadership of France’s Paul Libaud, who assumed office as the association’s first president. He held the position up until 1984.

The FVIB has consistently grown and is one of the largest sporting organizations worldwide. In addition to the world championships, the game’s biggest attraction, the governing association has developed additional events over the years, such as the FVIB World Cup, FVIB World League, FVIB Grand Prix, and FVIB Grand Champions Cup.

Olympics Volleyball

After the FVIB took over the governing of volleyball, the sport gained massive popularity, and in 1957, the International Olympic Committee granted indoor volleyball Olympic status .

In 1964, the Sport made its debut during the Tokyo Games.

Since the sport was granted Olympic Status, Italy, Brazil, and the erstwhile Soviet Union have taken home the most medals in the men’s Olympic volleyball. Each of them has six medals. The South American team leads the honors with three gold and three silver medals.

Only six countries have won the women’s Olympic volleyball gold medal. The Soviet Union tops the list of most medals won with six: two silvers and four golds.

During the Summer Olympics between 1964 and 1980, the Soviet Union and Japan participated in each of the four gold medal matches. In the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan won its first-ever gold. But in the two subsequent matches in 1968 and 1972, the Soviet Union beat Japan to win the gold. In 1976, Japan won its second gold in Montreal.

The Soviet Union won two more golds in 1980 at Moscow and 1988 at Seoul.

In 1984, China won the first of its medals in Los Angeles and the second one in 2004 in Athens.

Cuba bagged three golds in a row. The first was in 1992 in Barcelona, the second in 1996 in Atlanta, and the third in 2000 in Sydney.

In the history of women’s Olympic volleyball games, Brazil became the third country to win gold in a row by bagging the first in 2008 at the Beijing Games and the second in 2012 during the London Games.

The women’s volleyball Olympic reigning Champion is the U.S. They won the 2020 Tokyo Games after beating Brazil.

Since its introduction, the women’s volleyball in Olympics has undergone some major changes. One of them is the number of teams that play. In 1964, at the Tokyo Games, the women’s category was played by only six teams. The number of teams was doubled by 1988, and 12 teams have played ever since.

Recommended read: Demystifying Volleyball’s Scoring System Point by Point

Beach Volleyball

Beach Volleyball can also be traced back to the United States, although it did not spread as fast. It was included in the Atlanta Games Olympic program in 1996 , which helped popularize it globally and take the sport to an entirely new level.

Over the years, America has dominated this event: it has won seven golds, two silvers, and two bronzes so far.

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in 1997 succeeded their Olympic bow. This event is hosted once every two years, with Brazil being the most successful country, having bagged 12 gold medals.

History of Volleyball in Summary

William G. Morgan invented the sport in 1890. Being one of the physical education directors in the YMCA, he first introduced the idea within the organization. He did this at a physical education directors’ conference, and the idea was adopted. In the event, the name Volley Ball was suggested to replace the game’s initial name, Mintontte. The name was later changed to one word, “Volleyball.”

YMCA’s adoption of the sport fueled volleyball’s widespread knowledge worldwide. Since its invention, the sport’s basics with rules and regulations have been fine-tuned. An international governing body, FIVB, was also formed in 1947 to assist in streamlining the sports.

Initially, individuals mostly engaged in volleyball for recreation or leisure, with just a few international competitions and activities. But volleyball has become more competitive over the years, requiring a high technical and physical performance.

Currently, the game is experiencing great recognition stemming from the success of global competitions such as the FVIB World League, FVIB World Championships, FVIB World Cup, FVIB Grand Prix, and the Olympic Games. The participation levels at all these levels continue to grow exponentially, pushing the sport further.

Beach volleyball, since its introduction in the Atlanta Olympic games, also enjoys an overwhelming spectatorship that grows as time goes by.

The extraordinary success of volleyball has opened it up to entirely new markets.

You might also like:

  • The Ultimate Middle Blocker Checklist: 10 Key Traits for Success in 2024
  • A Guide to Playing Middle Blocker, The Defensive Powerhouse of Volleyball
  • How Opposite Hitters Contribute to Defense and Attack

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Club/High School
  • Olympics Indoor
  • Olympics Beach
  • TV & Streaming Listings
  • VBM Interviews
  • Video Submissions
  • Volleyball Basics
  • Photo Gallery
  • Best of the Best

History of Volleyball

January 25, 2024

The history of volleyball

Volleyball continues to grow in popularity. More than 900 million people play volleyball today, and the International Volleyball Federation calls it one of the world’s biggest international sports.

So, when and where did volleyball start, and how did it become a world-wide phenomenon?

Who invented volleyball?

Back in 1895, an American educator named William G. Morgan served as director of physical education for a YMCA in Holyoke, MA. Morgan knew James Naismith, who’d invented basketball four years earlier. Morgan wanted to find a sport like basketball that would be fun to play, but which would be less physically demanding and more enjoyable for a wider range of athletes.

Morgan wound up inventing a new game that combined elements of sports like basketball, badminton, and handball. His idea was for players to hit a ball over a net using only their hands rather than racquets. Morgan started with a badminton net and called his game called “mintonette,” a combination of “badminton” and “net.”

Morgan tried using several balls borrowed from other sports, and even internal bladders from basketballs and soccer balls, but they all were too heavy or too light. Morgan turned to a now-famous sporting goods company, A.G. Spaulding & Sons, to design a new ball. He also asked two friends to help him write a set of rules.

How did volleyball get its name?

Morgan introduced his new sport at a YMCA conference in 1896, explaining that anyone could play, indoors or outdoors, just using a net and a ball. All they had to do was keep the ball moving over the net. 

After watching this first demonstration, a professor named Alfred Halstead suggested that Morgan change the name to “volley ball” to better describe how players “volleyed” the ball back and forth. Morgan and the conference agreed, and the name “volley ball” lasted until 1952, when the two words were combined into today’s “volleyball.”

How quickly did volleyball grow?

The YMCA quickly spread volleyball across all of its branches in the United States, Canada and other countries. In just ten years, the Playground of America convention highlighted volleyball as one of country’s most popular sports. A 1916 magazine article estimated that 200,000 Americans already played volleyball, just 20 years after Morgan invented it.

That same year the YMCA convinced the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to publish volleyball’s rules and to write stories about the sport. Colleges quickly formed teams, and volleyball’s popularity rose even more. The United States Volleyball Association (USVA) was founded in 1928.

Volleyball grew just as fast internationally. In 1913, volleyball debuted at the first Far-Eastern Games in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In 1947, the FIVB (the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball, or International Volleyball Federation) was founded in France as a world-wide governing body for the sport. Volleyball officially joined the Olympics at the Tokyo games in 1964.

Has volleyball changed over the years?

Volleyball has matured quite a bit since William Morgan first demonstrated mintonette nearly 120 years ago. Offensive plays like sets, spikes and kills were first introduced in the Philippines in the early 1900’s. In 1920, a new rule sped up the game by limiting players to three touches before returning the ball over the net. 1999 saw the introduction of rally scoring, which allowed either team to score a point no matter which team served.

Learn more about today’s volleyball rules here .

Volleyball has reached many other milestones, but one development in particular transformed the face of the sport forever.

Who invented beach volleyball?

William Morgan invented volleyball, but no one knows for sure who took it to the beach. Many believe that beach volleyball began in Waikiki, Hawaii, when players at a club set up a net and began volleying.

The two-player sport we know today as beach volleyball probably started around 1930 at The Athletic Club in Santa Monica, CA. The story goes that, when enough players didn’t show up for a match, someone at the club decided to compete using just four players – two for each team. This new version quickly caught on, and Santa Monica soon gained fame as the beach volleyball capital of the world.

Beach volleyball debuted as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and officially joined the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. Like its indoor cousin, beach volleyball continues to attract more and more players and fans. 

Learn more about the differences between indoor and beach volleyball players here .

Latest News

Rotations and serves in indoor volleyball

Rotational Order in Volleyball

The differences between beach and indoor volleyball players

January 1, 2024

volleyball history essay

VolleyBall.Ninja

History Of Volleyball: Evolution Of A Popular Sport

Volleyball has been an iconic symbol of summer fun for generations. From days spent at the beach to evenings spent playing on the court, this beloved sport has been a favorite for decades. But where did it come from? The history of volleyball is one that is filled with adaptation, innovation, and passion. It has evolved from a simple backyard game to a world-renowned sport that is enjoyed by millions. In this article, we will explore the evolution of volleyball and discover just how this popular sport became such a beloved pastime.

The origins of volleyball can be traced back to 1895 when William G. Morgan first introduced the game as “Mintonette” in Massachusetts. He wanted to create a new game that was less physical than basketball but still required strategy and skill. At first, it was played with nine players on each side, but soon the number was changed to six players per team due to its popularity.

In addition to changes in rules and regulations , advances in technology over the years have also had an impact on how people play the game today. Volleyball equipment has become lighter and more durable over time; net heights have been adjusted; and court sizes have been modified in order to fit different levels of play. All these improvements have helped make volleyball into the competitive and exciting sport that it is today.

Ancient Origins Of Volleyball

Volleyball is a popular team sport that has been played for more than 100 years. Surprisingly, its origins date back much further, to ancient forms of the game that occurred in the Middle East and Greece in 500 BC. This article will explore the history of volleyball , beginning with its ancient roots.

The earliest known form of volleyball was invented by William G Morgan in 1895. Before this invention, similar games were played as early as 1500 BC in Egypt and Ancient Greece. In some cases, players would use their hands to keep a large ball off the ground while others used sticks to hit it back and forth over a net.

In Japan during the Edo period (1603–1867), nobles would play a sport called ‘Hackeysack’ or ‘Kagura-mai’ which was very similar to modern day volleyball . The game involved two teams of three players each hitting a leather ball over a net using only their hands or feet. From these roots evolved what we now know as beach volleyball and indoor court volleyball, both of which are hugely popular around the world.

Today, there are many different variations of the game being played by people around the globe. The development of this sport has led to its increasing popularity and international appeal – it is estimated that over 800 million people actively participate in volleyball worldwide! With its rich history spanning centuries, it’s clear why this beloved team sport continues to grow in popularity every year. As we move into the next section about development of volleyball in 19th century, we can see how an ancient game has grown into an international phenomenon today.

Development Of Volleyball In The 19th Century

Volleyball has a long and diverse history , with its origins stretching back thousands of years. Yet, the game we know today as volleyball first began to take shape in the 19th century. During this period, several different versions of the sport were developed leading up to its modern form.

In the mid-19th century, a form of volleyball called mintonette was introduced by American physical education teacher and Harvard graduate William G. Morgan. This version of the game was similar to badminton and it involved a net, two teams consisting of six players each, and a ball that could be hit over the net with hands or rackets. The rules for mintonette included allowing players to carry or throw the ball when volleying over the net .

The popularity of “mintonette” quickly spread around Europe and America during this period as well as other variations such as ‘baskeball’ (not to be confused with basketball) which was invented by an Englishman named James Naismith in 1891. These sports shared common elements such as using nets and keeping track of points scored through volleys over the net but they differed in terms of what equipment they used and how players interacted with each other. With these innovations came a new understanding of how volleyball could be played , paving the way for William G. Morgan’s invention in 1895.

William G. Morgan’s Invention Of Volleyball In 1895

A sport that has endured the test of time, volleyball has enthralled millions with its exciting gameplay and friendly competition . Its influence can be felt worldwide, from the sandlots of North America to the beach courts in Europe. It all began with a man named William G. Morgan, who revolutionized physical education with his invention of volleyball in 1895.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Morgan’s creation was born out of necessity for a new game that would be less strenuous on athletes than traditional sports like basketball and tennis. With his vision, he created an accessible game that combined elements of both sports while still allowing for plenty of fun and competition. The rules were simple: two teams of six players each would take turns serving the ball over a net until one team scored 15 points or more.

Morgan’s idea was met with enthusiasm by many physical educators at the turn of the century, and it quickly became a popular pastime throughout schools and recreational centers across America. The first official championship tournament was held in 1896, just one year after Morgan created the game – it was clear to everyone that volleyball had arrived and it wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As we move into a new era of competitive play, we can look back fondly at Morgan’s ingenious idea that sparked an international phenomenon. Looking ahead to what lies beyond, it is clear that volleyball will continue to be beloved around the world for years to come.

From its humble beginnings to its current global reach, volleyball has captivated players and spectators alike for generations. Now as we look towards its future in America, we see an ever-growing potential for this beloved sport to gain even more popularity among all levels of enthusiasts alike.

The Rise Of Volleyball In The United States

The rise of volleyball in the United States began shortly after William G. Morgan invented the game in 1895. Volleyball has since become increasingly popular with Americans, due to its easy-to-learn rules and its ability to be enjoyed by all ages. While the game was initially only played in YMCA’s, it rapidly spread throughout other sports clubs and schools across the country.

High school and college teams were established, which further increased the popularity of volleyball amongst Americans. The NCAA even created a men’s collegiate championship tournament in 1970. This enabled players from all levels of play to showcase their skills on an international stage and gain recognition for their talent.

The growth of volleyball in the US didn’t stop there; it continued to expand into professional leagues as well. The National Professional Volleyball League (NPVL) was founded in 1987 and ran through 1992, featuring some of the world’s most talented players at that time. This league helped to bring attention to volleyball as a professionally competitive sport , leading to greater interest among fans and athletes alike.

Volleyball’s popularity only continued to grow over time , with players now participating in different leagues all over the world, including beach volleyball tournaments on a global scale. With this growing success came more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play the sport – making it an integral part of American culture today.

Volleyball’s Popularity In The 1920s And 1930s

Volleyball’s rise to fame in the 1920s and 1930s was nothing short of meteoric; it seemed as though the sport had exploded overnight! Like a phoenix, it had risen from relatively unknown origins to become one of the most popular sports in North America. As the enthusiasm for volleyball spread, its popularity quickly became unstoppable.

People everywhere were captivated by this new game that offered something different than traditional sports like basketball and football; it was fast-paced, exciting, and included elements of strategy. Moreover, its rules could be easily adapted for any size group or skill level. Its accessibility made it incredibly attractive to people from all walks of life, further fueling its growth.

The rate at which volleyball’s popularity grew was remarkable; within a matter of years, tournaments were being organized across the country. As more people began playing, they also started inventing new ways to play the game — a process that continues to this day. Without a doubt, volleyball had become an iconic symbol of American culture in just a few decades’ time! Seamlessly transitioning into the next chapter of history about international competition and the creation of the FIVB, we can see how far this beloved sport has come since then.

International Competition And The Creation Of The Fivb

Volleyball had taken the world by storm. Like an unstoppable wave, it was growing in popularity and acceptance from the 1920s onwards.

The sport’s expansion was not limited to North America and Europe; Japan, China, and India all had their own volleyball clubs as well. The growth of international competition was a testament to volleyball’s worldwide appeal.

In 1947, the FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball) was established to regulate and promote the sport around the world. The FIVB hosted several tournaments in different countries, pushing volleyball further into the public eye. This international organization helped make volleyball one of the most popular team sports in the world.

The rise of international competition provided a platform for volleyball to become even more widespread. Its introduction to the Olympics in 1964 solidified its place on both a national and global level.

Volleyball’s Introduction To The Olympics In 1964

Volleyball is like a butterfly, slowly evolving into the beautiful sport we know today. After making its mark on the international scene and becoming an officially recognized entity with the formation of the FIVB in 1947, volleyball was ready to take flight. In 1964, it was granted permission to land at its final destination: the Olympic Games.

The first appearance of volleyball at the Olympics marked a significant milestone in its history . The sport had been growing steadily since its inception, but this moment solidified volleyball as an internationally respected and competitive game . With 10 teams participating in both men’s and women’s competitions, the stage was set for future generations of athletes to build upon what had already been achieved.

This impressive introduction to the Olympics set off a chain reaction that would lead to further development of the game around the world. From new rules and regulations to greater support from governments and organizations, volleyball has come a long way in a short period of time. As we look ahead to what lies ahead for this beloved pastime, it is clear that there are still many opportunities for growth and improvement – something that will be explored further in our next section on ‘the development of the modern game’ .

The Development Of The Modern Game

The development of the modern game of volleyball has seen a number of changes, some of which have been extreme. Take, for example, the rule change in 2000 which saw the introduction of the libero player. This new addition changed the way teams could play defense, and was a major shift in strategy for many teams across the world.

This is just one example of how volleyball has continued to evolve as time goes on. Many more changes have been made over the years, from court size and scoring system adjustments to tweaks to service rules and ball regulations. Each change was aimed at making volleyball more competitive, entertaining and audience-friendly.

These changes are still being made today, with rule changes being implemented every couple of years or so. The sport continues to grow in popularity, with a huge international fan base and ever-growing participation numbers around the world. As such, it’s clear that volleyball is here to stay – and will continue to develop even further in order to keep up with changing times. Looking ahead then, it’s interesting to see what changes to volleyball rules and regulations will be implemented next!

Changes To Volleyball Rules And Regulations

The evolution of volleyball rules and regulations has been an ongoing process since the game’s modern inception in 1895. Since then, several changes have been made in order to improve the game and make it more entertaining and accessible to players. This section will look at some of these changes that have taken place over the years:

• Increase in court size – The original court size was 3m x 6m, but this was increased to 9m x 18m in 1900. This allowed for more players to participate on each side and provided a larger area for players to move around.

• Introduction of different balls – In the early days, only a leather ball was used in the game, but today there are many different materials that can be used for volleyball such as rubber or synthetic leather. These balls are also available in different sizes and weights, depending on the level of play.

• Development of net height – The first nets were very low, with the men’s net being just 7ft tall, but this has since been raised to 8ft for men’s games and 7ft 4in for women’s games.

• Introduction of new scoring systems – The traditional scoring system is still used today (15-25-30), but other systems have been introduced over time such as rally point scoring (21-25-30).

These changes have all contributed to making volleyball a safer, faster and more enjoyable sport for everyone involved. With all these updates over time, it is no surprise that volleyball has become so popular around the world today. As we move into the next section about expansion of the game to indoor and beach volleyball , it’s clear that there is still much room left for further growth within the sport moving forward.

Expansion Of The Game To Indoor And Beach Volleyball

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the game of volleyball has grown and evolved since its inception. From an outdoor pastime to an Olympic-level sport, volleyball has come a long way in terms of rules , regulations and playing environments. The tenth step in this evolution is the expansion of the game to both indoor and beach volleyball .

The differences between indoor and beach volleyball are stark. Indoor volleyball requires six players per side, with each player occupying a specific position on court – such as setter or blocker – for the duration of the match. It is played indoors on a hardwood court which is divided by a net. In contrast, beach volleyball is played outdoors on sand with two players per side and no specific positions; it’s much more informal than indoor volleyball.

These variations have allowed for greater access to the sport and attracted different audiences across all ages, genders and levels of skill. With increased exposure worldwide, it’s clear that volleyball continues to pave its own path as one of the most popular sports around today. This transition has set the stage for growing popularity of volleyball around the world.

Growing Popularity Of Volleyball Around The World

Crescendoing in popularity, volleyball is now a global phenomenon. From its humble beginnings as a recreational pastime, it has become an international sport celebrated by millions. Let’s take a look at its growing international notoriety:

• In 1964, the first Olympic Games featuring volleyball was hosted in Tokyo, Japan. • During the 70s and 80s, countless countries began forming their own national teams and leagues. • In 1987, the first FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships were held in Los Angeles, California. • By 1994, over 200 nations had joined the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) • The United Nations declared 30th of June to be International Day of Volleyball in 2005.

The impact of this increasing popularity has been immense. Not only has it created more opportunities for athletes from all over the world to compete professionally, but it has also helped develop a dedicated fan base that spans across continents – from Asia to North America and everywhere in between. As such, it’s no surprise that some of the biggest professional tournaments are now broadcasted globally on television and online streaming platforms.

This surge of global interest has been beneficial for both players and spectators alike – offering an exhilarating experience for everyone involved in the game. With its ever-growing presence on the world stage, it’s clear that volleyball is here to stay ! Now let’s explore how technology is impacting this beloved sport…

The Impact Of Technology On Volleyball

Cultures around the world are merging into an ever-connected global community, and volleyball is no exception. Just as the internet connects people, technology has connected volleyball to a much wider audience than ever before. It’s almost like a bridge has been built between the sport and its fans.

The rise of technology has been monumental for volleyball players and coaches alike. Videos can be watched in real-time with just a few clicks, allowing teams to study different styles of play and strategies from all over the world. The ability to compare tactics and analyze performance data means that teams can tweak their strategies to get maximum results from any given match. Plus, many professional leagues have adopted cutting-edge systems that allow coaches to adjust their team’s tactics on the fly during matches – creating an even more competitive environment for everyone involved.

Volleyball has come a long way since its humble beginnings , and technology has played a big part in shaping it into what it is today – a truly international game with far-reaching appeal. As we move further into the digital age, it will be fascinating to see how these advancements continue to shape the sport of volleyball in the years ahead. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at how professional volleyball leagues have evolved over time.. .

The Popularity Of Professional Volleyball Leagues

In the blink of an eye, professional volleyball leagues have become increasingly popular. The sport has come a long way since it was first invented in 1895 and its evolution is evident as more and more people get involved in the game.

The technology advancements that have been made over the years have played an instrumental role in helping volleyball reach new heights. From improved equipment to advanced analysis tools, these technologies are helping to make the game more engaging and entertaining to watch.

The proliferation of professional leagues has also helped expand the fan base for volleyball throughout the world. From dedicated fans who attend each match to those who follow their favorite teams online, there’s no denying that volleyball is now one of the most popular sports around. With its high energy and fast-paced action, it’s no surprise that so many people are drawn to this exciting sport.

It’s clear that technology and professional leagues have been major factors in driving up interest in volleyball – now let’s take a look at some of the strategies and techniques used by players around the world!

Strategies And Techniques Used In Volleyball

“Practice makes perfect” – an adage that can be applied to all physical activities and sports, including volleyball. As the sport of volleyball has developed and evolved throughout its history, so too have the strategies and techniques used in it.

The most basic strategy for a team is to keep the ball moving back and forth over the net as many times as possible. This means that each player must be able to accurately pass, set, or spike the ball in order to keep play going without allowing their opponents an opportunity to score . Advanced strategies involve setting up a team’s offense or defense in such a way that they are able to get a favorable position on the court and create opportunities for scoring against the opposition.

In addition to these strategies, specific techniques are also employed in volleyball . Setting requires players to use their hands or forearms to pass the ball accurately into an area where one of their teammates can spike it into the opposing team’s court. Spiking requires power and accuracy in order to be successful; players must jump high enough in order aim for a specific spot on their opponent’s court while also hitting with enough force that their opponents cannot return it over the net.

These strategies and techniques have been refined through years of practice by experienced players and coaches , helping make volleyball one of the most popular sports in today’s world. They will continue to evolve as volleyball moves forward into its next stage of development.. .

The Future Of Volleyball

It’s clear that volleyball has a long and storied history . In the past century, the game has evolved from an obscure pastime to one of the world’s most popular sports. As we look to the future, it’s worth considering what lies ahead for this beloved activity.

The future of volleyball is bright. Both amateur and professional leagues are thriving around the world, with more and more people taking up the sport at all levels. Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in how volleyball is experienced, as virtual reality gaming and augmented video technology make it easier for players to hone their skills without ever leaving their homes.

Looking ahead, there are many exciting possibilities for volleyball in the years to come. With improved coaching methods and better understanding of player psychology, teams can become even stronger and more successful than before. Further advances in technology may also enable us to experience volleyball like never before – with 3D viewing options or interactive replays – making it even more enjoyable for spectators worldwide.

The history of volleyball has been an ever-evolving journey that has brought us from ancient origins to the modern game we know and love today. From William G. Morgan’s invention of the sport in 1895, to its immense popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, all the way up to today’s professional leagues and advanced strategies, it is clear that volleyball has come a long way. Technology has undoubtedly played a major role in this evolution, allowing for better training methods and strategies to be developed.

It is clear that this beloved sport will continue to develop and grow in popularity around the world. The game of volleyball is like an ever-changing tapestry of skill and athleticism, with each new generation adding their own unique thread to the fabric. As more people become exposed to this dynamic sport, its reach will expand even further into new cultures and countries, creating a truly global phenomenon.

The history of volleyball is nothing short of remarkable, as it has been able to capture the hearts and minds of generations around the world. With its ability to bring people together no matter their differences, there is no doubt that it will remain one of the most popular sports in existence for many years to come.

Logo

Essay on History of Volleyball

Students are often asked to write an essay on History of Volleyball in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on History of Volleyball

The birth of volleyball.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical education teacher. He wanted a game that was less rough than basketball for his older students.

Early Rules and Development

The original game involved a net and a rubber ball. The rules have evolved over time. For instance, the number of players changed from nine to six.

Global Spread

The game quickly became popular worldwide. By 1916, it was a part of the official program of the Summer Olympic Games.

Modern Volleyball

Today, volleyball is played at various levels, from school leagues to professional competitions. It continues to be a beloved sport globally.

250 Words Essay on History of Volleyball

The genesis of volleyball, early development and rules.

Morgan’s game was originally designed for older members of the YMCA, but it quickly gained popularity among a broader audience. The first rules, written by Morgan himself, specified a net 6 ft 6 in high, a 25 ft × 50 ft court, and any number of players. The first ball was designed by Spalding in 1896, following the specifications of Morgan.

International Adoption and Evolution

Volleyball spread to other countries, leading to its inclusion in the Far Eastern Games in 1913. In 1947, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was established, and the first World Championships were held in 1949 for men and 1952 for women. The scoring system evolved over time, with the introduction of rally scoring in the late 1990s to make the game more spectator-friendly.

Volleyball Today

Today, volleyball is a globally recognized sport, played at the Olympic level. Its variations, like beach volleyball, have also gained immense popularity. The sport’s growth and development over the years testify to its adaptability and enduring appeal. The history of volleyball is a testament to the human desire for recreation, competition, and innovation.

500 Words Essay on History of Volleyball

Introduction.

Volleyball, an Olympic team sport, is a thrilling game that has gained worldwide popularity over the years. It’s a sport that requires agility, strategic thinking, and exceptional teamwork. However, the history of volleyball, its evolution, and its rise to global prominence is an intriguing story that often goes unnoticed.

Origins of Volleyball

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan was a physical education director at the YMCA and was inspired by the dynamics of basketball, but sought to create a game with less physical contact that would be suitable for older members. He initially called this game “Mintonette,” which was meant to be an indoor sport, less rough but still requiring athletic effort.

Evolution of the Game

Global expansion.

Volleyball’s popularity spread globally during the 20th century. The sport was included in the official program of the Summer Olympic Games in 1964, which significantly increased its global visibility. The formation of the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) in 1947 played a crucial role in promoting and standardizing the sport worldwide. Today, volleyball enjoys a massive following, with more than 200 national federations affiliated with the FIVB.

Modern volleyball has seen further evolution with the introduction of new techniques like the jump serve, libero position, and rally scoring system. The game’s dynamics have also changed with advancements in training methods and technology. Today’s volleyball is faster, more strategic, and more spectator-friendly than ever before.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Volleyball: a brief history

Originally known as “mintonette,” volleyball was the brainchild of American William G. Morgan, who came up with the idea for the new sport in 1895.

Volleyball: a brief history

As a student at the Springfield College in Massachusets, he had befriended James Naismith who, in 1891, had himself invented basketball. After graduating, Morgan went on to become director of physical education at the Young Man’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusets and it was there that he devised his new sport, which was designed to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball.

Morgan was keen for his sport to offer a less physically intense and demanding alternative to Naismith’s basketball, one that would appeal to a far broader range of ages and physical abilities. Describing his early experimentations, he said: “In search of an appropriate game, tennis occurred to me, but this required rackets, balls, a net and other equipment, so it was eliminated, but the idea of a net seemed a good one. We raised it to a height of about 6 feet, 6 inches [1.98 metres] from the ground, just above the head of an average man. We needed a ball and among those we tried was a basketball bladder, but this was too light and too slow. We therefore tried the basketball itself, which was too big and too heavy.”

It was not until 1900 that a specially designed ball - lighter and smaller - was devised, which opened up a whole new range of tactical and technical possibilities for the sport. The offensive style of setting and spiking was first showcased in 1916, in the Philippines. Over the years that followed the rules of the sport were further refined and standardised. In 1917, the scoring system per game was changed from 21 to 15 points, while in 1920 the rule stipulating a maximum of three hits per team was instituted.

Until the early 1930s volleyball was for the most part a game of leisure and recreation, and there were only a few international activities and competitions. There were different rules of the game in the various parts of the world; however, national championships were played in many countries (for instance, in Eastern Europe where the level of play had reached a remarkable standard).

The sport took a huge step forward in 1947 with the creation of the Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) . Two years later the inaugural World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Volleyball made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 1964 , with the USSR taking men’s gold and the host nation winning the women’s competition.

Beach volleyball , which had its origins on the beaches of California back in 1930, had to wait until 1996 for its inclusion on the Olympic programme , and it has helped take the global reach and popularity of the sport to a new level.

Volleyball has witnessed a particularly impressive growth spurt over the last two decades, fuelled by the expansion of international competitions such as the FIVB World Championships, the FIVB World League, the FIVB World Grand Prix, the FIVB World Cup and the FIVB Grand Champions Cup, not to mention of course, the Olympic Games, where both the indoor and beach versions now enjoy huge popularity.

Today, over 120 years after it was first conceived, volleyball is played by more than 800 million people worldwide, a fact that would surely leave its creator, William Morgan, whose goal was to create a sport open to all, a huge amount of satisfaction.

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

  • You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
  • You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
  • You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
  • A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Sports — Volleyball

one px

Essays on Volleyball

Volleyball essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: "the evolution of volleyball: from beach to olympics".

Thesis Statement: Volleyball has come a long way from its humble beginnings on the beaches of California to becoming a globally recognized Olympic sport.

  • Introduction
  • History of Volleyball
  • The Early Beach Volleyball Scene
  • Volleyball's Transition to Indoor Courts
  • Volleyball's Inclusion in the Olympics

Essay Title 2: "The Physical and Mental Demands of Competitive Volleyball"

Thesis Statement: Competitive volleyball requires a unique combination of physical prowess and mental agility, making it a challenging but rewarding sport.

  • The Physical Demands of Volleyball
  • The Importance of Teamwork and Communication
  • Strategies for Mental Toughness in Volleyball
  • Training and Preparation for Competitive Volleyball

Essay Title 3: "The Impact of Volleyball on Personal Growth and Development"

Thesis Statement: Playing volleyball not only enhances physical fitness but also fosters personal growth, teaching valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance.

  • Physical Fitness Benefits of Playing Volleyball
  • Building Character Through Teamwork
  • Leadership Skills Developed in Volleyball
  • Overcoming Challenges and Perseverance

Why I Want to Play Volleyball

Descriptive narrative on volleyball game, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Volleyball, Its History, Rules and Regulations, and Famous Volleyball Players

The reasons why i love volleybal, the types of volleyball players, my experiences in volleyball discourse community, let us write you an essay from scratch.

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The History of Volleyball

An analysis of the different dynamics methods of volleyball serve, analysis of the serving approaches of high school athletes, misty may treanor's biography, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

A Story About New Volleyball Coach

The impact of volleyball: academic, social, and personal growth, comparison and contrast of softball and volleyball, volleyball: informative speech, setting in volleyball, descriptive paper about volleyball.

Volleyball, known as a dynamic team sport, is played on a rectangular court that can be found indoors or outdoors, specifically on sand courts. The essence of the game lies in the interaction between two teams, each comprised of six players, all aiming to accumulate points by skillfully striking the ball over a net and successfully landing it on the opponent's side of the court.

In 1895, William G. Morgan, a physical education director at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, was credited with the invention of volleyball. Morgan aimed to invent a new game that combined elements of basketball, tennis, handball, and baseball, creating a less physically demanding alternative. Originally called "Mintonette," the game's name was later changed to volleyball due to the nature of the sport. The first official game of volleyball was played on July 7, 1896, at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. The sport quickly gained popularity and spread internationally. It was included in the program of the Summer Olympics for the first time in 1964. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was established in 1947 as the governing body for international volleyball competitions. Over the years, volleyball has undergone various rule changes and modifications, evolving into a fast-paced and dynamic sport. It is now played on both indoor and beach courts, with different variations such as six-player indoor volleyball and two-player beach volleyball.

In the United States, volleyball gained popularity in the early 20th century and has since grown into one of the most popular team sports. The sport is governed by USA Volleyball, the national governing body responsible for organizing national teams, tournaments, and development programs. Collegiate volleyball is particularly popular in the US, with both men's and women's teams competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. The NCAA volleyball championships are highly anticipated events, attracting a large audience and showcasing the talent and skill of collegiate players. Beach volleyball has also gained significant traction in the US, with professional leagues and tournaments drawing large crowds and television viewership. The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) hosts professional beach volleyball events across the country, featuring top players from around the world. The US has produced many successful volleyball players who have made significant contributions to the sport, both domestically and internationally. The country's national teams have achieved notable success in international competitions, including Olympic medals and World Championship titles.

Team Composition: A standard volleyball team comprises six individuals on either side of the net, with an equal distribution of three players in the front row and three players in the back row. Scoring: Points are awarded when a team successfully grounds the ball on the opponent's court or if the opposing team commits a fault. A team must win a rally to earn a point, and matches are usually played in sets. The team that reaches the specified point limit first wins the set. Serving: The game begins with a serve. The server must stand behind the end line and hit the ball over the net to start the rally. If the serve lands in the opponent's court or is not successfully returned, the serving team earns a point. Rally: Following the service, the teams participate in a rally where their objective is to sustain ball movement by executing no more than three touches to send it back over the net. It is essential for each team to utilize a maximum of three hits to successfully return the ball. Rotation: Players must rotate positions clockwise after winning a rally and gaining the right to serve. This ensures that each player has an opportunity to play in different positions on the court. Faults: Various faults can occur during a game, such as stepping on or over the boundary lines, touching the net, double contact, or committing a foot fault during a serve.

Karch Kiraly, Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho (Giba), Misty May-Treanor, Sheilla Castro

1. Volleyball has been an official Olympic sport since 1964 for both men and women. It is widely popular and highly anticipated during the Summer Olympics. 2. Volleyball is known for its fast-paced nature. On average, a volleyball can travel at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) during a professional match. 3. Height plays a significant role in volleyball, particularly in blocking and spiking. The tallest recorded professional male volleyball player was Igor Omrčen from Croatia, standing at an impressive 7 feet 5 inches (226 cm). 4. Volleyball is one of the most popular sports globally, with an estimated 900 million fans worldwide. It is played in over 220 countries, making it one of the most widely participated team sports. 5. The longest recorded volleyball match lasted for a staggering 75 hours and 30 minutes, taking place in Kingston, North Carolina, in 1984. The marathon match was played by two teams of high school students. 6. The fastest recorded serve in volleyball history was achieved by Bartosz Kurek from Poland, who recorded a serve speed of 132 kilometers per hour (82 miles per hour) during a match in 2012.

Volleyball is an important topic to explore in an essay due to its widespread popularity and impact on both individuals and society. This sport brings people together, promotes physical fitness, and fosters teamwork and communication skills. Writing an essay about volleyball allows for an exploration of its rich history, from its origins in the late 19th century to its development as a global sport played at various levels. It offers an opportunity to delve into the rules, techniques, and strategies employed in the game, as well as the physical and mental benefits associated with playing volleyball. Furthermore, studying volleyball opens doors to understanding the cultural significance of the sport in different regions and its influence on communities. Essays on volleyball can also highlight the social and economic aspects, such as the growth of professional leagues, sponsorship deals, and the impact on tourism.

1. Engström, L. M., & Carlsson, T. (2014). Injury incidence and injury patterns in professional volleyball players of a national league. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 9(3), 358-363. 2. Fernandes, R. J., & Almeida, P. L. (2017). Tactics in volleyball: A systematic review. Journal of Human Kinetics, 58(1), 225-241. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2017-0059 3. Gonçalves, C. E., Figueira, B. E., Maçãs, V., Sampaio, J., & Leite, N. (2012). Effect of player position on movement behaviour, physical and physiological performances during an elite male volleyball game. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(13), 1429-1437. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.710757 4. Knapik, J. J., Steelman, R. A., Hoedebecke, E. L., Austin, K. G., Farina, E. K., Hammond, K. G., & Lieberman, H. R. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of physical training on volleyball performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(3), 892-907. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002336 5. Lima, R., Oliveira, J., & Gonçalves, B. (2018). Effects of mental imagery on volleyball serve performance: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(7), 776-787. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1340637 6. McHugh, M. P., & Cosgrave, C. H. (2010). To stretch or not to stretch: The role of stretching in injury prevention and performance. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20(2), 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01058.x 7. Mroczek, D., Lech, G., & Mroczek, G. (2015). The role of coordination abilities in the prevention of injuries in youth volleyball players. Biology of Sport, 32(1), 49-53. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1127270 8. Nalepa, G., & Wołoszyn, N. (2018). Physical fitness and motor performance of elite and sub-elite female volleyball players. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 25(4), 186-192. https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2018-0019 9. Sattler, T., Hadzic, V., Dervisevic, E., & Markovic, G. (2012). Vertical jump performance of professional male and female volleyball players: Effects of playing position and competition level. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(6), 1532-1538. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318234e66b 10. Sheppard, J. M., Gabbett, T. J., & Stanganelli, L. C. R. (2009).

Relevant topics

  • Jackie Robinson
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Paying College Athletes
  • Winter Break
  • Overcoming Obstacles

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

volleyball history essay

Encyclopedia Britannica

  • History & Society
  • Science & Tech
  • Biographies
  • Animals & Nature
  • Geography & Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Games & Quizzes
  • On This Day
  • One Good Fact
  • New Articles
  • Lifestyles & Social Issues
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Politics, Law & Government
  • World History
  • Health & Medicine
  • Browse Biographies
  • Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
  • Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
  • Environment
  • Fossils & Geologic Time
  • Entertainment & Pop Culture
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Visual Arts
  • Demystified
  • Image Galleries
  • Infographics
  • Top Questions
  • Britannica Kids
  • Saving Earth
  • Space Next 50
  • Student Center

Olympics: Volleyball

indoor female volleyball match Italy vs Russia during the Volleyball World Cup, in Milan.

Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1964, but before it became a competitive worldwide sport, it was a simple game developed at a Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) community center. In the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts, in 1895, William Morgan decided to create a new indoor sport that was less strenuous than basketball but still consisted of some physical activity and fun. He decided to call his new sport, which took from the rules and layouts of others such as tennis and basketball, mintonette . A player thought to simplify the name by focusing on the key action in the sport—volleying a ball over a net—and named it volleyball. By the late 1910s the sport had grown in popularity, and it spread globally through American troops stationed overseas in World War I. The sport became highly competitive worldwide, which led to the acceptance of a set of official rules and regulations that paved the way to Olympic adoption.

Before volleyball was officially accepted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it was a demonstration sport in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris . After it had been accepted in 1964, the IOC attempted to exclude the sport from the 1968 Games. But protests from players and avid fans kept it on the roster. Proven to be popular, a new subset of traditional volleyball was added as a medal sport in 1996: beach volleyball, which is held outdoors and follows a slightly different set of rules.

Initial play of volleyball in the Olympics was in a “round-robin” format, where each team plays all the other teams once, with medals awarded on the basis of the number of wins and point averages during games. This system was contentious, as the winning team had often been determined before all the matches had finished. To fix the problem, a new setup that consisted of a final round of the highest-scoring teams was implemented in 1972.

The Soviet Union holds the record for the most gold medals and the most medals in Olympic volleyball, with 7 and 12, respectively, while Brazil has the most medals in beach volleyball, with 11, and the United States the most gold, with 6. Karch Kiraly , an American volleyball player, was the first to win three Olympic gold medals in volleyball, earning also one of the first gold medals in beach volleyball the year the sport was introduced to the Olympics.

Each team consists of two players. The first team to 21 points wins a set and one team has to win two sets in total to win the match. The keys to the game are the hitting techniques and the hand signals.

Learn More About This Topic

  • Which player, with partner Kerri Walsh, won three consecutive gold medals at the Olympics?
  • Learn more about the 1964 Olympics
  • What player-turned-coach led the U.S. women’s Olympic team to a silver medal in 2008?

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

  • Volleyball Essay

ffImage

Essay on Volleyball

Volleyball is a very famous game played all over the world. This game is very easy to play and is equally fun and enjoyable. This is why I choose to write my favorite sport volleyball essay. This volleyball essay is composed to highlight the rules and regulations of the game. Moreover, this essay on volleyball in English is inclusive of great details so that its description can be understood well. This free volleyball essay is easily comprehensible and can be recreated also.

My Favourite Game Volleyball Essay

Volleyball is a game that is played between two teams of six players. This game was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan and has been a part of the Olympics since 1964. Mastering this game requires hard work, dedication, and stamina. It can be played on a court or the sand. Volleyball played on sand is often called beach volleyball. This game was mainly played and developed in the countries of the United States of America, the Philippines, and Canada.

Volleyball Essay In English

Volleyball, as mentioned in the above section, involves two teams of six members each. The teams are separated on the court by a net. The teams have to "bat" the ball using only their hands to pass the ball back and forth over the net. The game aims to pass the ball onto the next team without letting it touch the ground. The team which succeeds in making the ball fall on the ground of the opponent’s side gets a point. At the end of the game, the team with the highest point wins.

Rules of Volleyball

Volleyball has an extensive set of rules. In the following, those are described in brief.

The game of volleyball starts when one player of a team, standing behind the back boundary line of the court, begins a rally by serving the opposite team with the ball. The ball must travel to the side of the opposition team without touching the net.

The receiving team must prevent the ball from falling on the ground and pass it onto the court of the opponent. Each team gets to touch the ball a maximum of 3 times amongst the team members before passing it to the other team. However, an individual player can only touch a ball once before passing.

The rally continues unless a team makes the ball fall on the ground of the opposition or one team commits a fault and loses. Some faults can include touching the net, more than the allowed number of touches by the team or a player of the team, stepping outside the court boundaries, and so on.

Each time a team wins the serve, they must rotate. The entire team is required to switch the sides moving in a clockwise manner with one player moving in a front line whereas another player moving to the backline.

Tournaments In Volleyball

Volleyball is a very popular sport and has its tournaments. The most famous of which is the FIVB Volleyball Grand Champions cup.  It is an international tournament where several countries are represented by their men's and women's teams. Apart from this, India has its national-level volleyball tournament. There are also several state-level and district-level tournaments of volleyball. Brazil is ranked as the best volleyball team while India stands at 34th.

A game of volleyball can be exciting as well as unpredictable. It is both interesting to watch and exciting to play. Playing volleyball can also be a very good form of physical activity for novices. The professionals, however, require dedicated practice.

Short Essay on Volleyball in English

Volleyball is a very famous game played by enthusiasts and professionals all over the world. It is a team game played with a ball among two teams. Each team has six members.

The volleyball court is divided into two halves by a net. The two teams remain on either side. The main aim of the teams is to pass the ball onto the other half of the court in such a way that it hits the ground while preventing the ball from touching their court.

The players are allowed to touch the ball with their arms, hands, torso, or head but not their feet or legs.

One can often see families playing volleyball on the beach. This variation of volleyball is called beach volleyball.

Brazil, the USA, and Korea are some of the leading volleyball teams internationally.

Volleyball can be a fun game when played with friends and family. It is a great exercise for building stamina, improving team play, building strategies, and improving fitness. However, the rules of indoor and outdoor volleyball games may differ.

How Vedantu Prepares Students for an Essay on Volleyball

Vedantu is an online tutoring platform that has a lot of relevant study material on its platform. Everything is free of cost and the students just need to log in via their credentials and then get access to all the study material. Vedantu has quite a lot of content for students who are looking to write proper essays.  An essay on Volleyball or a student’s favorite game has a high chance of coming for exams. Vedantu has Volleyball Essay for students in English. This page has everything that the students need to know before they write an essay on the topic. Everything has been explained in a descriptive manner which they can use to their advantage. Information about Volleyball as a sport has been provided which could be useful when they attempt an essay on this topic.

Importance of Writing Essays

Essays test the descriptive power of students

The more well-versed they are in writing essays, the more they will be able to write for exams later on in their lives

Essays traditionally follow a format of Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Knowledge of essays will come in handy even while writing research papers or while doing assignments given by the school/ college

It develops logical thinking in students

It increases your knowledge bank of the different topics

arrow-right

FAQs on Volleyball Essay

1. Where was Volleyball Invented and by Whom?

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1895.

2. Which Leading Nation is Men's and Women's Volleyball?

Gavin Schmitt is the number one men's volleyball player in the world as of 2020 while Hélia Souza is considered to be the top female volleyball player as of 2020.

3. What is the Minimum Number of Players Required on Each Team?

Each team requires a minimum of 4 players to begin and continue a match.

4. Who is the Captain of the Indian Volleyball Team?

Gurinder Singh is the captain of the Indian men's volleyball team.

5. How should students write an essay on their favorite sport?

Students need to follow a traditional format before they write an essay on any given topic. They must follow the sequence so that when a reader goes through their essay, it seems smooth and free-flowing. An essay on their favorite sport can be written in a descriptive manner that best describes their sport and why it appeals to them. The readers need to be convinced to mark them well. They can check Volleyball Essay for students in English on Vedantu. This essay is ideal for those students who need to write an essay on a sport or volleyball.

6. How can students score well on essays?

It is quite feasible to score well on essays if the right strategy and techniques are used while writing them. Vedantu offers students with appropriate study material and essay material so that they can take a good look and understand.  The Volleyball Essay for students in English is quite descriptive and easily understandable too. It can be used by all students who are looking to score higher marks and stand out from the rest of the crowd. This essay has all the features of a good essay and will assist the students in getting those grades.

7. Where can students look for an essay on Volleyball online?

Students can avail Vedantu free of cost study material by going to Volleyball Essay for students in English. This essay is effective in terms of scoring well and understanding how an essay needs to be written. Volleyball is a famous sport that is played all over the globe. It has a lot of fun elements to it that are followed by people. This sport is a great topic for essays as it has a lot to write on. Students must go through it to get an idea.

8. How is Volleyball played in Korea?

Volleyball has a set of rules that need to be adhered to by all nations. It is usually played between two teams of six players each. More relevant information on volleyball has been provided on the Volleyball Essay for students in English that’s on Vedantu. It has all the information about the rules of the game, the techniques, how it is played, and so forth. Going through this page will clear all your doubts about how it is played in all the countries.

9. How can students write a short note on Volleyball?

Students must read from Volleyball Essay for students in English on Vedantu. This essay has explained everything about Volleyball in detail. A short note on the game has also been included towards the end. In it, everything that needs to be included to score well has been contained. Reading this will assist the students in understanding how a short note on any given sport or topic needs to be written. Their capacity for reasoning will also get enhanced if they practice in this manner.

COMMENTS

  1. Volleyball

    volleyball, game played by two teams, usually of six players on a side, in which the players use their hands to bat a ball back and forth over a high net, trying to make the ball touch the court within the opponents' playing area before it can be returned.To prevent this a player on the opposing team bats the ball up and toward a teammate before it touches the court surface—that teammate ...

  2. History of volleyball: From origins to the Olympics

    History of volleyball: From humble beginnings to a global sport. Originally called mintonette, the origin of volleyball can be traced back to 1895 in Massachusetts, USA. It was created by American William G. Morgan. For a sport that has been around for over a century, the origin of volleyball traces its roots to a rather humble beginning.

  3. Volleyball History: Timeline & How it started

    Volleyball History Summary. ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Volleyball, invented by William G. Morgan in 1895, was initially called "Mintonette" and emerged as a less intense alternative to basketball. The game evolved through rule changes, including the introduction of the three-hit rule and the shift to modern scoring methods.

  4. Volleyball

    Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. [1] It has been a part of the official program of the Summer Olympic Games since Tokyo 1964. Beach volleyball was introduced to the programme at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics.

  5. History of Volleyball

    In 2016, the sport of Volleyball is over 120 years old! The sport originated in the United States, and is now just achieving the type of popularity in the U.S. that it has received on a global basis, where it ranks behind only soccer among participation sports. Today there are more than 46 million Americans who play volleyball. There are 800 million players worldwide who play volleyball at ...

  6. The History Of Volleyball: [Essay Example], 553 words

    The History of Volleyball. Categories: Volleyball. Words: 553 | Page: 1 | 3 min read. Published: Apr 29, 2022. William G. Morgan was a gentleman. He liked the newly created game, Basketball, but he felt that is was hard for older men to play. He needed to invent a game with less jumping and jolting and that older men could play.

  7. The Complete History of Volleyball (From 1985 Until Now)

    Here is a short list of the rules, as originally set forth by William Morgan in 1895. There are some distinct differences between the game at its inception and the game as it will be even 30 years later, in the early 1920s. 1. The game will last nine "innings". 2.

  8. The History of Volleyball: Evolution and Global Impact [Free Essay

    From its humble beginnings as a recreational activity to its emergence as a globally celebrated sport, this game has undergone significant transformations during the history of volleyball. This essay delves into the intriguing history of volleyball, tracing its origins, key milestones, and the impact it has had on the world of sports.

  9. A Brief History of Volleyball

    In the history of women's Olympic volleyball games, Brazil became the third country to win gold in a row by bagging the first in 2008 at the Beijing Games and the second in 2012 during the London Games. The women's volleyball Olympic reigning Champion is the U.S. They won the 2020 Tokyo Games after beating Brazil.

  10. THE REAL HISTORY OF VOLLEYBALL

    The reevaluation of volleyball's historical narrative holds broader implications for our understanding of sporting history and the construction of historical memory. By interrogating established narratives and acknowledging the contributions of overlooked figures, the IVHF seeks to foster a more nuanced appreciation of volleyball's origins.

  11. Volleyball, Its History, Rules and Regulations, and Famous Volleyball

    Hook Examples for Volleyball Essay. The Spike of Passion: Explore the world of volleyball, a sport that ignites passion in the hearts of players and fans alike. In this essay, we'll dive into the exhilarating highs and the camaraderie that sets volleyball apart as more than just a game. ... Volleyball: History, Rules, Tips and More ...

  12. History of Volleyball

    The United States Volleyball Association (USVA) was founded in 1928. Volleyball grew just as fast internationally. In 1913, volleyball debuted at the first Far-Eastern Games in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In 1947, the FIVB (the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball, or International Volleyball Federation) was founded in France ...

  13. The history of Olympic volleyball

    The 1950s and early '60s: Campaigning and victory. During the 40-year wait, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball was founded in 1947. Having its own official body for indoor, beach and grass events boosted volleyball's chances of becoming an Olympic sport. Two years later, in 1949, the International Olympic Committee (IOC ...

  14. History Of Volleyball: Evolution Of A Popular Sport

    Volleyball has been an iconic symbol of summer fun for generations. From days spent at the beach to evenings spent playing on the court, this beloved sport has been a favorite for decades. But where did it come from? The history of volleyball is one that is filled with adaptation, innovation, and passion. It has evolved from a simple backyard game to a world-renowned sport that is enjoyed by ...

  15. Essay on History of Volleyball

    The history of volleyball is a testament to the human desire for recreation, competition, and innovation. 500 Words Essay on History of Volleyball Introduction. Volleyball, an Olympic team sport, is a thrilling game that has gained worldwide popularity over the years. It's a sport that requires agility, strategic thinking, and exceptional ...

  16. Volleyball Essay: History of Volleyball

    There are many types of volleyball, branching off from the main sport: mini-volleyball, beach volleyball, park volleyball, etc. The International Volleyball Federation is the largest sports organization. It includes more than 200 countries. In the text below you will find a volleyball essay about the history of volleyball.

  17. Volleyball: a brief history

    The sport took a huge step forward in 1947 with the creation of the Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB). Two years later the inaugural World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Volleyball made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 1964, with the USSR taking men's gold and the host nation winning the women's competition.

  18. History Of Volleyball Essay (pdf)

    Rules And History Of Volleyball Independent Research Project Page 1 Computers By:Addy Normand (Adrena) Research Paper Topic-Rules and History of Volleyball The History In 1895, William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men 's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A) in Massachusetts, decided to combine the sports of baseball, basketball, handball, and tennis to make a game now called volleyball (at ...

  19. volleyball summary

    volleyball, Game played by two teams of six players each, in which an inflated ball is volleyed over a high net. Each team tries to make the ball touch the court within the opposing side's playing areas before it can be returned. A team is allowed to touch the ball three times before returning it. The team that first scores 15 points wins the ...

  20. Volleyball Essay

    Writing an essay about volleyball allows for an exploration of its rich history, from its origins in the late 19th century to its development as a global sport played at various levels. It offers an opportunity to delve into the rules, techniques, and strategies employed in the game, as well as the physical and mental benefits associated with ...

  21. Volleyball

    Volleyball has also been called volley ball in its long history. In 1916, the technique of set and spike was invented in the Philippines. In 1930, beach volleyball was created in California.

  22. Olympics: Volleyball

    After it had been accepted in 1964, the IOC attempted to exclude the sport from the 1968 Games. But protests from players and avid fans kept it on the roster. Proven to be popular, a new subset of traditional volleyball was added as a medal sport in 1996: beach volleyball, which is held outdoors and follows a slightly different set of rules.

  23. Volleyball Essay for Students in English

    Short Essay on Volleyball in English. Volleyball is a very famous game played by enthusiasts and professionals all over the world. It is a team game played with a ball among two teams. Each team has six members. The volleyball court is divided into two halves by a net. The two teams remain on either side.