Olympic History: Volleyball
Volleyball was invented by Massachusetts natives Dr. James Naismith and William Morgan in 1892, but world-wide influences have helped shape the sport as we know it today.
After reaching Japan and Asia through the YMCA network by 1896, a specially designed ball came to be by 1900, and over the next 20 years, rules were set into place. The Philippines created the "set" and "spike" in 1916 and six-a-side play was the standard two years later. By 1920, the rules mandating three hits per side and back-row attacks were instituted.
Japan, Russia and the United States each started national volleyball associations during the 1920s. And when U.S. soldiers brought the game overseas during World War II, the sport spread through the rest of Europe like wildfire and France recognized the sport nationally as well. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the game a non-Olympic sport in 1949 and the first World Championships for men were held in that same year. The women's first world-level competition came three years later.
The Russians would dominate the sport until the mid-1980s with some challenge from Japan during the stint. The United States finally made their mark as the men's team won back-to-back gold medals in Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988).
With beach volleyball stealing some of the spotlight away from indoor, certain traditions will be dropped for the Sydney Games.
Replacing the previous system where only the serving team could earn one, a point will be at stake for every rally. There also will be another agile defender called a "libero," and will be free to substitute in back-row defense at almost every turn.
Beach Volleyball
Just one year after the sport of volleyball turned a century old, beach volleyball was implemented into the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. The outside version of the game is played on sand and consists of two players a side instead of six.
Unlike indoor volleyball, points are scored only when the serving team wins a rally. Sets are played to 15 points with a margin of at least two points and a ceiling of 17 points -- a team can win 17-16 for example -- and games are played to the best of three sets. The medal round games are the best of three sets to 12 points. Although in the third set a point is scored for every rally, regardless of who is serving, and there is no ceiling -- a team must win by two points at least.
