Two Different Ways to Score in a Volleyball Game
Volleyball can be scored in either traditional scoring or rally scoring. Rally scoring means a point is earned on every volley, while traditional scoring requires the teams to have served that volley in order to score a point. Players can gain points in one of two general ways -- by hitting a winning shot or by their opponents making a mistake.
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Out of Bounds
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If a team hits the ball out of bounds, the other team earns a point in the case of rally scoring. For traditional scoring, the team only gets a point if it served. An out-of-bounds serve results in the ball going to the other team. If a ball ricochets off a player and out of bounds, the other team earns a point.
Into the Net
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If a player hits the ball into the net and the ball drops to the floor, the other team scores a point. A ball can be played off the net, but a player may not touch the net or cross underneath it. If a player serves the ball into the net, the serve goes to the other team.
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Four Hits
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If a team hits the volleyball more than three times on any possession, the other team earns a point. An exception is made in the case of a block, which does not count as a hit. If a team blocks a spike, it can proceed to register three hits on the ball.
On the Floor
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If a team hits the ball to the other side of the net and the ball drops to the floor in bounds, the team that hit the ball scores a point. This is true whether or not the other team hits the ball at all.
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References
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