Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Match Format
A match is played as best of 3 sets:
- Sets 1 and 2: First team to 21 points wins, with a minimum 2-point advantage required (no cap — play continues until one team leads by 2)
- Set 3 (deciding set): First team to 15 points wins, again with a minimum 2-point advantage
All sets use rally scoring — a point is awarded on every rally regardless of which team served.
5.2 Side Switches
Teams switch ends of the court at regular intervals to equalise the effects of sun and wind:
- Sets 1 and 2: switch every 7 points (combined score)
- Set 3: switch every 5 points (combined score)
Side switches are made without delay — no rest period. The score, service, and positions remain unchanged after the switch.
5.3 Service
The server must stand behind the end line and may serve from any point along the line's full width. The ball must be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released from the hand. The server has 5 seconds from the referee's whistle to execute the serve. Overhand (float, topspin, jump) and underhand serves are all legal. A serve that touches the net and crosses into the opponent's court is a legal "let serve."
5.4 Contacts
Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 contacts to return the ball over the net. The block counts as the first contact (unlike indoor), so a team effectively has 2 contacts remaining after a block touch.
- Hard-driven ball: A hard-driven first-contact attack may be received with open hands (overhead pass) without being called for a double. This exception applies only to the first contact after an attack.
- Setting: Open-hand overhead setting is legal but judged strictly for double contact and carries. A set that travels over the net must leave the setter's hands perpendicular to the setter's shoulder alignment (i.e., square to the direction the setter faces). Setting the ball across the body over the net is a fault.
5.5 Attack Restrictions
- No open-hand tip: Attacking the ball over the net using fingertips in a soft "dink" or "tip" motion is illegal. Attacks must be made with a closed fist, knuckle, heel of the hand, or with a firm "cobra" (rigid fingers pushing the ball). The roll shot (wrist snap over the ball) is legal.
- No back-row restriction: Since there is no attack line and no positional rotation, both players may attack from anywhere on the court.
5.6 Timeouts
Each team is entitled to 1 timeout per set, lasting 30 seconds. Technical timeouts are applied at 21 combined points in sets 1 and 2 (30 seconds each). There are no technical timeouts in set 3. The FIVB may waive or adjust technical timeout rules for specific events.