How well do you know volleyball?
Volleyball is one of the world's most played sports, from gyms to beaches. Six questions, from easy to hard.
Did you know?
- Volleyball was one of the first team sports added to the Olympic programme for both men and women at the same time, at the Tokyo Games in 1964.
- In indoor volleyball, teams win a set by reaching 25 points with a two-point lead. The deciding fifth set is shorter, played to 15 points, which often makes it the most tense part of a match.
- Sitting volleyball, played with a lower net by athletes with impairments, is part of the Paralympic Games. Players must keep part of their body between the buttocks and shoulders in contact with the floor when playing the ball.
The global rise of volleyball
Volleyball spread from the United States through YMCA networks and soldiers, becoming especially popular in Europe, Asia and South America. Today it is one of the most played sports worldwide. Brazil, Italy, Poland, Türkiye, the United States, China and Japan are among its strongest nations.
Rotation and teamwork
Volleyball requires constant coordination. Players rotate clockwise each time their team wins back the serve, so everyone must be able to play several roles. Setters direct the attack, much like a playmaker in football, choosing which hitter receives each ball.
Power and precision
Top attackers can hit the ball at more than 100 km/h, and blockers must read the setter's intentions in fractions of a second. At the same time, delicate touches, such as tips over the block, can win points. Matches combine athleticism with tactical decision-making.
Beach volleyball
Beach volleyball developed on the beaches of California and Brazil in the 20th century. With only two players per team, each player must cover a large area and master every skill. Wind and sun add extra challenges, and the sport has a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
Volleyball in Türkiye and Poland
Volleyball has become one of the most followed sports in countries such as Türkiye and Poland. Turkish women's clubs are among the strongest in the world, and Polish men's volleyball fills arenas with passionate crowds. National team successes have inspired many young players.
Serving as a weapon
The serve is the only moment a player fully controls the ball. Modern players use powerful jump serves that can exceed 120 km/h, or 'float' serves that move unpredictably in the air like a knuckleball. A strong serving run can win several points in a row and swing the momentum of an entire set.