How Long is a Volleyball Game?

With the Paris Olympic Games starting in July, now is the perfect time to learn the rules and nuances of one of the most exciting sports of the summer games - volleyball. We'll cover everything you need to know about how long a volleyball game lasts and how many sets there are. We’ll also tell you about the scoring system, a newly added player, and a rule change intended to speed up the game by allowing either side to score.

To ensure you see all the volleyball games of the summer Olympic Games, consider subscribing to VBTV. We’ll have all the action of the worldwide qualifying tournaments leading up to the Paris Olympic Games and broadcast every Olympic Volleyball match.

Method of Play in Volleyball

Volleyball is a fairly simple game to appreciate without knowing all the rules. Many people find themselves caught up in the excitement of the game and rooting for a team without knowing many of the game's rules.

The object of volleyball is to hit the ball over the net and into the other team’s territory without letting it touch the ground on your side of the net. Points are scored for your team by the other team allowing the ball to touch the ground when it’s in play on their side of the net.

To start the game, one team serves the ball over the net to the other team. The receiving team has three chances to return the ball to the serving team. If they fail to return it in three chances, it hits the ground or is hit out of bounds, a point is scored for the serving team, and they serve again.

How Many Sets Are in a Volleyball Game?

Volleyball matches are played to the best of five sets. The opening four sets are played to 25 points, with the winning team having to win by a margin of two points. For example, if the scores are tied at 24-24, one team would only win with a score of 24-26. The final set in a match is played to 15 points.

How Long is a Volleyball Game?

There is no time limit to a volleyball game. A point is played until one team makes an error and allows the ball to touch the ground on their side of the net or hits the ball out of bounds, but each set typically takes 20-30 minutes. A typical volleyball match can last up to three hours.

New Scoring Method

There is also a scoring method called a Rally Point System, which enables either team to score points regardless of whether they served. In the regular system, the receiving team only wins the right to serve when the serving team is unable to return the ball, grounds it, or hits it out of bounds. In the Rally Point System, they also gain a point and the right to serve. This rule is intended to help shorten the length of matches.

Number of Players

Until recently, there were six players on an indoor volleyball team. However, the Federation International De Volley Ball (FIVB), the governing body of volleyball, recently introduced a rule change by adding a player called a Libero. A libero is a backline player added to increase the amount of ball control for each team. However, they can’t serve the ball, spike it over the net, or play in the front-line positions.

Explore the World of Volleyball

Of course, we’ve only just begun to explore the rules and the world of volleyball. Once you begin to follow the game more closely, you'll start to understand all the rules and why they exist. As you get more involved, you'll start to figure out some of the strategies teams employ to keep them at the top of the rankings.

Subscribe to VBTV

The best way to ensure you see all the action from the world's top players and teams is to subscribe to VBTV. VBTV is a digital streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) service that provides access to the top volleyball matches happening all over the globe. We’re a must-have channel for all volleyball fans in the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games. Subscribe to VBTV today!