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146 free Volleyball trivia questions with answers — sports quiz, new questions added Aug 2026.
50 free volleyball trivia questions with answers. Are you a volleyball enthusiast? Put your knowledge to the test with our comprehensive 146-question volleyball trivia quiz covering everything from basic rules to legendary players and unforgettable Olympic moments. Whether you're a casual fan or a dedicated player, this quiz will challenge your understanding of the sport's rich history and exciting gameplay.
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Q 01What was the original name of the sport now known as volleyball?
Mintonette
William G. Morgan invented the sport in 1895 and initially called it 'Mintonette' due to its similarity to badminton.
Q 02In indoor volleyball, how many players does each team have on the court at any one time?
6
6 a side, separated by the net, rotating through the positions as they win the serve.
Q 03Outside a tie-break set, how many points wins a set in indoor volleyball, given a two-point lead?
25
25 points, with at least a two-point margin, takes each of the first four sets of an indoor match; play continues past 25 until one side leads by two.
Q 04What is the official net height for men's indoor volleyball?
2.43 meters
The regulation net height for men's indoor volleyball is 2.43 meters (7 feet 11 5/8 inches).
Q 05Which indoor volleyball specialist wears a different coloured jersey and may not attack or block above the net?
Libero
The Libero is a back-row specialist, easily identifiable by a contrasting jersey, who focuses on digging and passing, but cannot attack or block above the net.
Q 06In which country was volleyball first invented?
United States
The United States, specifically Holyoke, Massachusetts, is where Morgan devised the game for his YMCA members.
Q 07How many players are on each team in beach volleyball, with no substitutions allowed?
2
2 per side, and they must always be in play, with no substitutions or replacements permitted.
Q 08What is the name of the international governing body for the sport of volleyball?
FIVB
The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) oversees all international competitions and sets the rules for the sport worldwide.
Q 09Which volleyball skill uses the forearms to control the ball, typically when receiving a serve?
Pass
The pass, also known as a forearm pass or bump, is crucial for receiving the ball and directing it to the setter.
Q 10At which Summer Olympics was volleyball first shown as an unofficial demonstration event?
1924 Paris
Volleyball appeared as an unofficial demonstration at the 1924 Paris Games, part of an American-sports showcase staged alongside the official programme.
Q 11Excluding a block, how many times may a volleyball team hit the ball before it must cross the net?
3
3 contacts at most, with a block touch not counting as one of them.
Q 12What is the official net height for women's indoor volleyball?
2.24 meters
The regulation net height for women's indoor volleyball is 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 1/8 inches).
Q 13What is the length of a standard indoor volleyball court?
18 meters
An indoor volleyball court measures 18 meters (59 feet) in length and 9 meters (29.5 feet) in width.
Q 14In what year did indoor volleyball become an official Olympic sport?
Q 21In what year was beach volleyball introduced to the Olympic program?
1996
Beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics, gaining significant global exposure.
Q 22Which Polish city hosted the 2014 men's World Championship final, won by Poland over Brazil?
Katowice
Katowice's Spodek arena staged the 2014 final, where Poland beat Brazil 3–1 in front of a home crowd.
Q 23Which volleyball skill saves a hard-driven attack from hitting the floor, often with a dive?
Dig
A dig is any defensive contact after an opponent's attack that results in a playable ball.
1964
Indoor volleyball made its debut as an official medal sport at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics.
Q 15Roughly how long does a standard best-of-five indoor volleyball match typically last?
About 90 minutes
A best-of-five match usually runs about an hour and a half, though a fifth set or several deuce battles can stretch it well beyond that.
Q 16In volleyball, which attacking hit has a player jump and strike the ball steeply downwards over the net?
Spike
The spike, or attack hit, must be contacted above the net so the ball is driven steeply down into the opponent's court.
Q 17What is the primary role of a setter in indoor volleyball?
To take the second contact and place the ball for an attacker
The setter is responsible for taking the second touch on most rallies, aiming to 'set' the ball precisely for an attacker to hit.
Q 18Which type of service is hit with almost no spin, making its flight unpredictable for receivers?
Float
A float is struck with little or no spin, so it wobbles and swerves in the air much like a knuckleball in baseball.
Q 19In volleyball, what is the defensive action of players jumping at the net to stop or alter an opponent's attack?
Block
A block intercepts or deflects the attack at the net, often sending the ball straight back into the attacker's court before it can reach the floor.
Q 20What are the dimensions of a standard beach volleyball court?
16m x 8m
A standard beach volleyball court measures 16 meters (52.5 feet) in length and 8 meters (26.2 feet) in width, smaller than an indoor court.
Q 24What is the purpose of the antennae attached to the sides of the volleyball net?
To mark the lateral limits the ball must cross between
The antennae extend vertically from the sidelines above the net and define the playable space through which the ball must pass when crossing the net.
Q 25Which position is usually the tallest on the team, leading the block and running quick attacks?
Middle Blocker
Middle hitters, also called middle blockers, are typically the tallest players, trading agility for the reach that makes their blocks and quick attacks effective.
Q 26In volleyball, what is the fault called when a player touches the net while playing the ball?
Net violation
A net violation, or net foul, hands the point to the opponent.
Q 27When was the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) established?
1947
The FIVB was founded in Paris in April 1947, when delegates from 14 national federations met to create a world governing body for the sport.
Q 28What material is typically used for the outer casing of a modern volleyball?
Synthetic leather
Regulation balls are leather or synthetic leather over an inner bladder, typically stitched from eighteen near-rectangular panels.
Q 29Under FIVB regulations, what is the required circumference of an indoor volleyball?
65–67 cm
A regulation indoor ball is 65–67 cm around; the beach ball is slightly larger at 66–68 cm and is inflated to a lower pressure.
Q 30Which volleyball position plays across from the setter and usually attacks from the right side?
Opposite Hitter
The Opposite Hitter (or Right Side Hitter) plays opposite the setter, participates in blocking, and often attacks from the right side, especially in out-of-system plays.