essay about history of volleyball

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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 may then volley it back across the net or bat it to a third teammate who volleys it across the net. A team is allowed only three touches of the ball before it must be returned over the net.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan , physical director of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke , Massachusetts. It was designed as an indoor sport for businessmen who found the new game of basketball too vigorous . Morgan called the sport “mintonette,” until a professor from Springfield College in Massachusetts noted the volleying nature of play and proposed the name of “volleyball.” The original rules were written by Morgan and printed in the first edition of the Official Handbook of the Athletic League of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of North America (1897). The game soon proved to have wide appeal for both sexes in schools, playgrounds, the armed forces, and other organizations in the United States , and it was subsequently introduced to other countries.

In 1916 rules were issued jointly by the YMCA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The first nationwide tournament in the United States was conducted by the National YMCA Physical Education Committee in New York City in 1922. The United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) was formed in 1928 and recognized as the rules-making, governing body in the United States. From 1928 the USVBA—now known as USA Volleyball (USAV)—has conducted annual national men’s and senior men’s (age 35 and older) volleyball championships, except during 1944 and 1945. Its women’s division was started in 1949, and a senior women’s division (age 30 and older) was added in 1977. Other national events in the United States are conducted by member groups of the USAV such as the YMCA and the NCAA.

Volleyball was introduced into Europe by American troops during World War I , when national organizations were formed. The Fédération Internationale de Volley Ball (FIVB) was organized in Paris in 1947 and moved to Lausanne , Switzerland , in 1984. The USVBA was one of the 13 charter members of the FIVB, whose membership grew to more than 210 member countries by the late 20th century.

International volleyball competition began in 1913 with the first Far East Games, in Manila . During the early 1900s and continuing until after World War II , volleyball in Asia was played on a larger court, with a lower net, and nine players on a team.

The FIVB-sponsored world volleyball championships (for men only in 1949; for both men and women in 1952 and succeeding years) led to acceptance of standardized playing rules and officiating. Volleyball became an Olympic sport for both men and women at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

European championships were long dominated by Czechoslovakian, Hungarian, Polish, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Soviet (later, Russian) teams. At the world and Olympic level, Soviet teams have won more titles, both men’s and women’s, than those of any other nation. Their success was attributed to widespread grassroots interest and well-organized play and instruction at all levels of skill. A highly publicized Japanese women’s team, Olympic champions in 1964, reflected the interest of private industry in sport. Young women working for the sponsoring company devoted their free time to conditioning, team practice, and competition under expert and demanding coaching. Encouraged by the Japanese Volleyball Association, this women’s team made its mark in international competition, winning the World Championship in 1962, 1966, and 1967, in addition to the 1964 Olympics. At the end of the 20th century, however, the Cuban women’s team dominated both the World Championships and the Olympics.

The Pan American Games (involving South, Central, and North America) added volleyball in 1955, and Brazil , Mexico , Canada , Cuba , and the United States are frequent contenders for top honors. In Asia , China , Japan , and Korea dominate competition. Volleyball, especially beach volleyball, is played in Australia , New Zealand , and throughout the South Pacific.

A four-year cycle of international volleyball events, recommended by the FIVB, began in 1969 with World Cup championships, to be held in the year following the Olympic Games; the second year is the World Championships; in the third the regional events are held (e.g., European championships, Asian Games , African Games , Pan American Games); and in the fourth year the Olympic Games.

Beach volleyball —usually played, as its name implies, on a sand court with two players per team—was introduced in California in 1930. The first official beach volleyball tournament was held in 1948 at Will Rogers State Beach, in Santa Monica , California, and the first FIVB-sanctioned world championship was held in 1986 at Rio de Janeiro. Beach volleyball was added to the roster of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. American athletes have been especially successful in Olympic beach volleyball competition. Notable U.S. players include Karch Kiraly , Misty May-Traenor , and Kerri Walsh Jennings .

Volleyball History: Timeline & How it started

Kelly Wiese

March 12, 2024

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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!

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 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”.

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.

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Who Invented Volleyball?

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

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History of Volleyball

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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.
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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.

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The Complete History of Volleyball (From 1985 Until Now)

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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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.

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.

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Volleyball: A quick look at the history of the sport

Posted by Josh | Aug 24, 2023 | Sports | 0 |

Table of Contents

Volleyball is an engaging and popular sport that appeals to a broad range of fans around the globe. But where did it originate, and how has it evolved into the thrilling game we love today? This article explores the fascinating history of volleyball, taking you on a journey from its humble beginnings to the spotlight of international sports competitions.

The birth of volleyball

The story of volleyball begins over a century ago in the United States. In 1895, William G. Morgan , a physical education instructor in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was looking for a new game that could entertain his classes. He aimed to create a sport that was less physically demanding than basketball but still required athleticism and strategic play.

With these goals in mind, Morgan crafted a unique game that combined elements from tennis, baseball, and handball. He dubbed his creation “mintonette”. Little did Morgan know that his creation, later renamed volleyball, would captivate sports enthusiasts around the world.

The evolution of the game’s rules

Over time, the rules of the game have undergone significant changes, shaping the game as we know it today. Initially, the game had no set number of players and no limit on how many times the ball could be hit before it passed over the net. The scoring system, too, was different. However, the 20th century saw the standardisation of these rules, bringing in the structured gameplay we’re familiar with today.

Perhaps the most significant turning point in the history of the sport was the introduction of the “three hits” rule in 1917. This rule, which limits teams to three contacts with the ball before they must send it over the net, added a new layer of complexity and strategic depth to the game.

Volleyball’s expansion to international shores

The sport’s popularity soon spread beyond America’s borders. It was included in the official programme of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. Since then, volleyball has been a staple of the Olympic games, bringing countries together in an exhibition of skill, teamwork, and competitive spirit.

The global appeal of the game is evident in the establishment of numerous international competitions. Notably, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was founded in 1947, promoting the sport worldwide and setting the rules and standards for international competition.

Volleyball in the modern era

In recent years, the sport has continued to adapt and innovate. Variations of the game, such as beach volleyball, introduced in the 1988 Summer Olympics as a demonstration sport and officially included in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, have further expanded its appeal.

Today, volleyball is cherished by both players and spectators alike. It’s a game that requires agility, coordination, and teamwork, and its competitive nature keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Whether played in a gymnasium or on a beach, volleyball’s engaging dynamics make it a crowd favourite across the globe.

The legacy of the game

From its creation in a Massachusetts gym to its place on the international sporting stage , volleyball has carved a unique path in the world of sport. Its history is a testament to the game’s adaptability, resilience, and enduring appeal. As we look forward to the future of the sport, we celebrate its past, remembering the journey that brought us here.

In conclusion, the history of volleyball is as dynamic and exciting as the sport itself. From William G. Morgan’s innovative vision to the global phenomenon it has become today, the sport continues to captivate audiences and players worldwide.

Volleyball isn’t just a game; it’s a sport with a rich history, continually evolving and adapting to maintain its appeal. Whether you’re an athlete or a fan, understanding the history of volleyball provides a deeper appreciation for the sport we love. So, next time you watch or play a game, remember the journey of this remarkable sport. After all, volleyball isn’t just about scoring points; it’s about the story of a game that brings people together, on and off the court.

For even more sporting history lessons, head on over to our Sports section .

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When I'm not playing video games, writing reviews and other bits for FULLSYNC, I'm watching sports. Cricket, Football, MMA, you name it, I'll be sat in the stands or in front of my TV watching. I'm a Liverpool FC fan first and foremost, and it's always a case of club before country for me. I enjoy writing about sports and I'll be bringing my personal view to a number of articles, from reactions to news and other opinion pieces, with maybe a slight bias towards the reds of Merseyside in football. But I'll try and remain impartial, although I'm not promosing anything.

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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 .

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January 1, 2024

Volleyball: The History of a Sports Phenomenon

by Guest Blogger | Jan 4, 2016

The sport of volleyball is ubiquitous today, as more than 800 million people play it regularly, but it didn’t start out that way. Created by William G. Morgan, a YMCA instructor in Holyoke, Massachusetts, this past time has humble beginnings.

Morgan had the idea of developing a game that combined elements of baseball, tennis, basketball and handball, all in a sport that necessitated minimal physical contact when compared to other competitive activities such as basketball. Once it showed up on the athletic landscape, it didn’t take long before devoted fans were showing up worldwide. In fact, the evolution of this sport was much faster than what many expected.

If you want to learn more about volleyball, you will want to take a look at the “From Set To Set – A History Of Volleyball” infographic. You will be taken through the entire history of the sport so that you can see how it evolved. That will be really interesting due to the fact that you can so easily gain some information that you never knew anything about. We can give you some examples so that you can see exactly what to expect from this highly interesting sports infographic.

Contrary to popular belief, volleyball is a sport that is over 120 years old. There are currently 800 million regular players, which is much more than what many expect given the current number of people that attend matches. Many fans in Australia are using bet365 bonus code australia for their betting on volleyball.

Volleyball appeared in the year 1895 and nobody expected the sport to reach the popularity it has today. We are referring to a sport that is played all around the world, with various events that offer millions of dollars in prizes. The original name of the game was “Mintonette” and the special volleyball ball that we see used today appeared 5 years later.

The three hits per side rule appeared much earlier than we think, around the year 1917. In the year 1922 the very first volleyball competition took place in Brooklyn, New York. Alternatively, the first ever 2 people beach volleyball competition took place in 1948. As you can see, by the year 1950, volleyball was so much more advanced than what you surely thought right now.

As you are surely aware of at the moment, volleyball is an Olympic sport. This has been happening since 1957, when the sport was officially added as an Olympic sport. Along the years, the US managed to gain many medals at the Olympics with the volleyball team. You can see all the stats about the medals in the infographic.

The facts that we mentioned above are just some of those that you can see in the volleyball infographic that we present here. We are quite sure that many do not know anything about various facts that were written. Even hardcore volleyball fans have no idea about some of the facts here. We truly present an infographic that is really interesting and that should be seen by every single volleyball fan out there, no matter if the person is just a fan or a volleyball player.

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The history of Olympic volleyball

Making its debut appearance as a demonstration sport way back at the 1924 Games in Paris, volleyball has come a long way in the Olympics.

It’s now one of the most popular sports at the Games, and comprises three variations across both the Olympics and Paralympics: indoor, beach and sitting. Here’s a quick guide to the history of Olympic volleyball.

The 1920s: Early beginnings and false starts

Olympic volleyball’s illustrious story began at the 1924 Paris Olympics, when the USA performed a one-off demonstration event. The sport had been booming in popularity since its invention some 30 years earlier, when it was created in the USA as a relaxed alternative to basketball. Unfortunately, it was only a fleeting appearance for the indoor sport, which would have to wait another 40 years to be admitted to the Olympic programme.

(Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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) recognised volleyball as a non-Olympic sport. Finally, in 1957, during the 53rd IOC session, the votes were cast and volleyball was finally made an Olympic sport.

Volleyball made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Games in Tokyo. Featuring both women’s and men’s events, the sport got off to a strong start, with hosts Japan and the Soviet Union winning the women’s and men’s events, respectively.

All seemed well, until the IOC voted to drop the sport for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Thankfully, after ardent protests, the motion was dropped, and volleyball would indeed get a chance to carry on its burgeoning Olympic legacy at that year’s Games.

The late 1960s: Game-changing years

The format for the 1968 Games was different to today. Originally, all teams played each other in a round-robin tournament, and the final standings were determined by the number of wins, set average and point average.

Unfortunately, there were a number of problems with this system. Most glaringly, that the medallists could be determined before the competition had finished. Subsequently, the spectator interest waned towards the end, after the prizes had been decided.

To combat this, a competition format was designed, which is still in use today. The 12 teams in both women’s and men’s separate events are split into two groups, where every team within the group plays each other once. The top four teams in each group advance to the quarter finals, with winners making it through to the semi-finals, and eventually the top two teams facing each other in the final to battle for gold.

The 1970s: Paralympic volleyball proves itself

With this improved tournament format, indoor volleyball went from strength to strength. Just around the corner, an even bigger development was to come.

After a successful demonstration in Toronto 1976, volleyball was fully introduced into the Paralympic programme in 1980. Initially, the event was contested under both standing and sitting volleyball disciplines, though the standing discipline was removed from the Paralympic programme for the 2004 Games in Athens.

With these new steps being taken, volleyball was expanding its presence as an Olympic discipline.

The 1980s: Politics and boycotts – and one stand-out team

Several high-profile boycotts overshadowed the Olympic Games throughout the 1980s, with a direct impact on medal placings in volleyball. The United States refused to compete at the Moscow Olympics in 1980; the Soviet Union in turn boycotted the Los Angeles Games in 1984; and future Olympic champions Cuba did not participate in Seoul 1988.

But when athletes were able to compete, one spectacular game in particular stands out. During the 1988 Games, the Soviet Union overturned a two-set deficit against Peru to take the lead. Both teams were ahead several times, and both had match points. The Soviet Union eventually won the gold after an amazing performance by both nations, ensuring the sport’s subsequent skyrocketing profile.

The stars of the 1980s, though, were Iran’s men’s Paralympic volleyball team, who have been ever-present in the event since they began competing in 1988. Iran has appeared in every gold-medal match since 1988, winning six out of eight. Their continued success is testament to their Paralympic programme and determined play.

1990s: Beach time

Entering the 1990s, beach volleyball made its way on to the Olympic calendar. Played outdoors on sand, it appeared as a demonstration sport at the Barcelona Games in 1992 before its official introduction in Atlanta 1996.

That first official tournament included 24 teams for men and 16 for women, and expanded in Sydney 2000 to 24 teams in both competitions. Participating countries could enter two teams for qualifying into the beach competition, which proved particularly effective for two countries in 1996. The men’s final was USA vs USA, and the women’s was Brazil vs Brazil.

The indoor women’s tournament, meanwhile, was dominated by Cuba. Making their first appearance at Barcelona 1992, the Cuban women’s team took gold – and took it again at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. The talented athletes perhaps could have achieved even more, starting in the previous decade, if not for the country’s 1988 boycott.

The 2000s: Olympic volleyball soars

As the new millennium dawned, the competition intensified across all three sports, with some astounding performances.

For continued success and amazing play, no one can compete with Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings. They struck gold three times in consecutive Olympics from 2004 to 2012 in the women’s beach volleyball competition. Maintaining a superb record, their achievements are set to stand for a very long time.

In the same year, in the men’s Paralympic volleyball competition, Bosnia and Herzegovina took gold – a particularly poignant victory as their team consisted of individuals who had been injured during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.

Fantastic crowds and competition continued in Beijing, London and Rio, with volleyball becoming an integral part of the Olympic programme and a major success story since its first foray into the Games back in 1964.

Looking to the future

Going into the 21st century and beyond, volleyball forms a huge part of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with three disciplines across both.

Discover more information about indoor , beach and sitting variations on the Olympic Channel.

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The History of Volleyball: Evolution and Global Impact

History of volleyball: from ymca to global recognition.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Sports — Volleyball

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

Descriptive Narrative on Volleyball Game

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Why I Want to Play Volleyball

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Misty May Treanor's Biography

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.

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).

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