Olympic Volleyball Scoring Explained: A Guide to the Rules, Tie-Breaks, Deadlines and Scoring System

Olympic volleyball would not be complete without surprises in group play, exciting five sets and confusing referee signals.

The rules of the game are usually simple. Just three touches; don’t let the ball hit the floor; don’t knock it out. But it’s not always so clear, especially at international level.

As the indoor gold medal matches near the first serve, there are a few things fans and spectators need to know beyond “why is this player wearing a different colored jersey” (though that’s important, too).

From the scoring system to how it’s scored and the terminology, here’s everything you need to know to watch indoor volleyball at the Olympics and beyond.

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How does scoring work in volleyball?

Volleyball is played in sets, and the entire match is called a match. Indoors, a match is the best three out of five sets.

Scoring points in sets

The first four sets are played to 25 points, with the fifth set, if necessary, played to 15 points.

Teams must win each set by at least two points, so sets can go to extra points. For example, a set score can be 25-23, 27-25, 32-30, or some other combination. There is no point limit, so sets can be significantly higher.

Scoring points in a match

The match is over when a team wins three sets. It doesn’t matter in what order, as long as it’s three sets.

	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Final
Team A	25	20	28	18	15	3
Team B	19	25	26	25	13	2

For example, Team A won the match by winning sets 1, 3, and 5, including the set that went to bonus points due to the two-point margin requirement. Team B won sets 2 and 4 but failed to reach 15 points first in the deciding set.

Volleyball Scoring Rules

There are many ways to score a point in indoor volleyball. Here they are:

• The ball bounces off the court
• The ball is kicked out over the touchline (with or without previous contact with a player)
• The team makes more than three contacts with the ball
• A player touches the ball twice in a row (except when blocking)
• The player touches the net
• Player foot errors on the serve, in the middle or on the three-meter line

Volleyball Terms and Meanings

Rally points: The concept that the team that wins a point will serve to start the next one. A coin toss is used to determine which team will begin serving in the first set—the winner chooses whether to serve or receive, or which side of the court to start on. The loser chooses the remainder. Teams take turns serving the first ball in sets two through four. If a fifth set is needed, a new coin toss is held.

Sweep:When a team wins three sets in a row, defeating the opponent 3-0.

Challenge: Request to review a point decision on the last point. Teams have two challenges per set, which can be used for touches, foot faults or net violations. In/out is reviewed by VAR.

Libero: A defensive specialist who can be identified by wearing a different colored jersey. Liberos have different rules regarding substitutions than other players. They can come in for any player on the court, as long as they are in the back row, although they are often seen coming in for middle blockers. Liberos are not allowed to play internationally.

Kill:When an attack directly results in a point being scored by the player’s team.

Block stuffed:When a block forces the ball to fall directly to the floor, giving the opponents no chance to continue playing.

Tool:When a player intentionally takes advantage of an opponent to score a point. This is usually done by ripping the ball out of the blocker’s hands and out of bounds, resulting in a point for the attacking team.

Throw:An illegal play in which the attacker openly carries the ball backwards and then “throws” it forwards.

Elevator: Similar to a throw, a pick-up is an illegal maneuver that involves contacting the ball with the open hand. A violation is called when a player touches the ball with the open hand in an upward motion. The ball sometimes comes to rest in the player’s hand, signaling an illegal hold.

Back Row Attack:When a player in the back row of the court makes an attack. However, the attacker must jump off the floor before his foot touches the three-meter line, because he cannot attack in front of the line. A failure to send the ball over the net while jumping results in an illegal attack from the back row.

How is indoor volleyball different from beach volleyball?

The biggest (and most obvious) difference between indoor and beach volleyball is the court. Indoor volleyball is played on a court measuring 18×9 meters, usually on the floor of a gym, sports field, or Taraflex. Beach volleyball is played entirely on sand on a slightly smaller court measuring 16×8 meters.

The mesh height is the same for both surfaces but varies depending on gender.

In addition, beach volleyball is played with only two players per side, whereas indoor volleyball has more, with six players on the court. This allows for substitutions from the bench.

Match details also vary. Indoors, the game is played to the best of three out of five sets, with sets one through four played to 25 points and the fifth set to 15. On the beach, the game is played to the best of two out of three sets, with the first two played to 21 points and the last set also played to 15 points. Sets must be one to two points.

There are also some technical differences between the games. In the beach game, hand sets and doubles are more stringent, blocks count toward three team touches, and open-handed ends are not allowed.