Volleyball

Volleyball was invented in the USA in 1895 by a YMCA physical education director. In 1917, the game was changed from requiring 21 points to win to a smaller 15 points to win. The popular game spread rapidly across the US, eventually leading to the formation of an international governing federation based in Switzerland, the FIVB, in 1947. By 1952, the Federation had added an international women’s tournament to its programme, and the sport gained Olympic recognition in 1964. The game is based on a team touching the ball up to three times before legally returning it to the other side of the court. A few of volleyball’s many violations include catching and throwing the ball, touching the net foul or making a foot fault. One of the more exciting innovations to emerge in the sport has been the introduction of liberos, back-row defensive specialists who wear a contrasting jersey and specialise in serve-receives.