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Volleyball History: Timeline & How it started

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Kelly Wiese

March 12, 2024

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the history of volleyball essay

Dive into the fascinating world of Volleyball History, exploring the origins, growth, and captivating events that shaped this exhilarating sport.

Discover the key moments and people that define Volleyball’s legacy and impact worldwide.

Let’s serve it up!

Volleyball

Table of Contents

Volleyball History Summary

Who invented volleyball, how did volleyball become so popular, where did volleyball originate.

  • ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Volleyball, invented by William G. Morgan in 1895, was initially called “Mintonette” and emerged as a less intense alternative to basketball. The game evolved through rule changes, including the introduction of the three-hit rule and the shift to modern scoring methods.
  • 🚀   Rise to Prominence: From its humble beginnings in a Massachusetts YMCA gym, volleyball quickly gained popularity in schools, colleges, and clubs across the United States. The sport’s international expansion began in the early 20th century, reaching Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and eventually becoming an Olympic event in 1964.
  • 🥇   Noteworthy Growth and Adaptation: Volleyball has adapted to various formats and styles, including beach volleyball, which made its Olympic debut in 1996. Technological advancements and rule changes have shaped the game’s development, while its global popularity continues to thrive through professional leagues, international competitions, and grassroots initiatives.

Volleyball History Timeline

William G. Morgan, a physical education director at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts, invented the sport known as “Mintonette,” which would later become modern volleyball. Morgan designed the game to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball, offering a less intense and more accessible alternative to basketball.

Mintonette was first played in a local YMCA gymnasium on February 9, 1895, with a net height of 6 feet 6 inches, a court size of 25 x 50 feet, and teams of nine players each. The rules and gameplay have evolved significantly since then.

In 1916, the “three hits” rule was introduced, allowing each team to touch the ball a maximum of three times on their side before sending it over the net. This significant rule change transformed the game into a more dynamic and strategic sport. During this period, the Philippines developed the “bomba” or “spike,” a powerful offensive technique that added another layer of excitement to the game.

Also in 1916, the sport was introduced to the American Expeditionary Forces stationed in Europe during World War I, further contributing to its global expansion.

By the 1940s, volleyball had become a popular sport globally, and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball ( FIVB ) was founded in 1947. This governing body aims to develop and promote volleyball worldwide, sanctioning international competitions, and setting standard rules and regulations for the sport.

The first FIVB-organized World Championships were held in 1949 for men and in 1952 for women. These events marked the beginning of organized international volleyball competitions and showcased the sport’s talented players at a global level.

Volleyball made its Olympic debut during the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games, with both men’s and women’s events. Since then, it has remained a staple of the Olympic program, growing in popularity and attracting athletes and fans from around the world.

The Soviet Union won the first men’s Olympic gold medal, while Japan clinched gold in the women’s event. These victories highlighted the progress and development of volleyball in these nations and ignited interest in the sport around the globe.

The 1980s were marked by significant rule changes, including the introduction of the 5-set game and Rally Point System, which allowed teams to score points on both their own serve and the opponent’s serve. This new scoring system sped up matches and intensified the competition.

During this era, legendary players such as Karch Kiraly emerged, setting new standards for excellence in the sport and inspiring a new generation of volleyball enthusiasts.

Beach volleyball, a popular variation of the sport played on sand with teams of two, made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. This addition brought an exciting new dimension to the Olympic volleyball program and attracted an even broader audience to the sport.

The first beach volleyball Olympic gold medals went to Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes of the United States for men, and Sandra Pires and Jackie Silva of Brazil for women, showcasing the dominance of these nations in this thrilling adaptation of the sport.

In the 2000s, the popularity of volleyball continued to grow, both internationally and at the grassroots level. New professional leagues emerged, providing opportunities for athletes and further raising the sport’s profile.

Technological advancements in equipment, training, and analytics transformed how the game was analyzed and played, allowing for deeper insights into tactics, performance, and player development.

After delving into the sport’s past, learn about its physical demands and why many consider volleyball the hardest sport .

Volleyball

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical education director, in the United States in 1895.

Volleyball gained popularity due to its accessibility as a sport requiring minimal equipment, captivating rallies, and the global reach of tournaments such as the Olympics.

Volleyball originated in the United States, specifically at the Holyoke, Massachusetts YMCA, where it was first called “mintonette”.

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Kelly is a travel lover, and an adventure and sports enthusiast, and lover of all things wine. Kelly’s passion lies in exploring Canada and other parts of the world and sharing her experiences with others. As a senior traveller, Kelly aims to inspire others to live their best life and not be afraid to venture out into the world on their own. She encourages solo travel and offers tips and advice on how to do it safely and confidently. In sports, she was one of the MVP provincial champs in volleyball, have 4 years recreational experience in beach volleyball and was an MMA black belt and former instructor.

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The sport originated in the United States, and is now just achieving the type of popularity in the U.S. that it has received on a global basis, where it ranks behind only soccer among participation sports.

Today there are more than 46 million Americans who play volleyball. There are 800 million players worldwide who play volleyball at least once a week.

In 1895, William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Mass., decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball. He created the game of Volleyball (at that time called, Mintonette ). Morgan borrowed the net from tennis, and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the average man’s head.

During a demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be volleying the ball back and forth over the net, and perhaps “volleyball” would be a more descriptive name for the sport. On July 7, 1896 at Springfield College the first game of “volleyball” was played.

  • 1895: William G. Morgan (1870-1942) created the game of volleyball but called the game Mintonette .
  • 1896: The first exhibition match of volleyball is played at Springfield College (called International YMCA Training school in 1896).
  • 1900: A special ball was designed for the sport.
  • 1916: In the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike ) were introduced.
  • 1917: The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.
  • 1920s: There are unconfirmed whispers of men’s teams playing on the beach in Hawaii, but most accounts place the sport’s origin in Santa Monica, California where the first Volleyball courts are put up on the beach at the Playground. Families play 6 vs. 6.
  • 1920: Three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.
  • 1922: The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11 states were represented.
  • 1928: It became clear that tournaments and rules were needed, the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA, now USA Volleyball) was formed. The first U.S. Open was staged, as the field was open to non-YMCA squads.
  • 1930s: The first two-man beach volleyball game is played in Santa Monica, California.
  • 1934: The approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.
  • 1937: At the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball Association as the official National Governing Body (NGB) in the U.S.
  • 1947: The Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) was founded.
  • 1948: The first two-man beach tournament was held.
  • 1949: The initial World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
  • 1964: Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
  • 1965: The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.
  • 1974: The World Championships in Mexico were telecast in Japan.
  • 1975: The U.S. National Women’s team began a year-round training regime in Pasadena, Texas (moved to Colorado Springs in 1979, Coto de Caza and Fountain Valley, CA in 1980, and San Diego, CA in 1985).
  • 1976: First professional beach volleyball tournament was called the Olympia World Championship of Beach Volleyball. It took place at Will Rogers State Beach during late summer in 1976.
  • 1977: The U.S. National Men’s team began a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio (moved to San Diego, CA in 1981).
  • 1983: The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.
  • 1984: The U.S. won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold, and the Women the Silver.
  • 1986: The Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.
  • 1988: The U.S. Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.
  • 1989: The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.
  • 1990: The World League was created.
  • 1992: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Bronze at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
  • 1995: The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old! This Web site – Volleyball.Com goes live!
  • 1996: 2-person Beach Volleyball debuted as an Olympic sport.
  • 1997: Dain Blanton (with Canyon Ceman) becomes the first African-American professional beach volleyball player to win a tournament on the Miller Lite/AVP Tour.
  • 1998: For the first time in the FIVB World Tour, men and women players are rewarded at the same level with $170,000 in total prize money per Open event.
  • 1999: For the first time beach volleyball was included in the Pan American Games which were held in Canada.
  • 2000: Olympic Beach Volleyball Men’s Gold medallists: Eric Fomoimoana & Dain Blanton (USA). The women’s Beach Volleyball America (BVA) announces their inaugural season of play.
  • 2001: Christopher “Sinjin” Smith plays the final match of his impressive career, a 21-19 and 24-22 loss with George Roumain to Dax Holdren and Todd Rogers in the 4th round of the contender’s bracket at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Sinjin retires as the leader in tournaments played with 416, 2nd in all-time victories with 139, and 4th in all-time winnings with over US$1.6 million earned.
  • 2002: Beach volleyball court dimensions reduced to 8m x 8m per side.
  • 2003: Karch Kiraly becomes the first player to earn US$3M in prize money and oldest player to win an AVP tournament at age 42 years, 9 months and 14 days. (You’re never too old for volleyball!)
  • 2004: U.S. Women’s team Kerri Walsh and Misty May Win the Gold medal in the Women’s Olympic Beach Volleyball Title in Athens, Greece.
  • 2005: Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win their second Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Open women’s title and the 2005 overall women’s championship.
  • 2006: Elaine Youngs’ second place finish (with Rachel Wacholder) in Seaside Heights pushes her career earnings past $1 million. She becomes the third American woman to achieve that mark.
  • 2006: In Seaside Heights, both Casey Jennings (with Matt Fuerbringer) and Kerri Walsh (with Misty May-Treanor) won titles, becoming just the second husband-wife duo to win pro beach events on the same weekend. They join Mike and Patty Dodd, who accomplished the feat four times in 1989, but each time in different locations.
  • 2006: Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win in Chicago as Walsh joins the millionaire club. She is the 18th person worldwide to win over $1 million in her career, and did so in fewer events (90th tournament) as well as being one of just four to reach the mark before turning 28 years old.
  • 2007: Misty May-Treanor passes Brazilians Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede as the most winning player since the women’s competition on the international beach volleyball circuit began in 1992.
  • 2007: Misty May-Treanor becomes the women’s all-time wins leader by capturing her 73rd victory, surpassing Holly McPeak’s record by winning with Kerri Walsh in Hermosa Beach. She reached this total in just 123 tournaments — winning 57.5% of her events.
  • 2007: In a championship match that lasted 1:41, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs defeat Jennifer Boss and April Ross 21-19, 18-21, 16-14 in Seaside Heights. The marathon set the record for the longest match in rally scoring, men or women, in domestic or international play.
  • 2007: Karch Kiraly retires to close an impressive career on the beach, leaving as the all-time wins leader and money earner. His longevity was marked by the fact he won a tournament in 24 different years, and he advanced to the semifinals in over 75% of all the events he ever played and was named as the AVP’s MVP a record-most six times.
  • 2008: Hot Winter Nights, a series of 19 events in January and February, kicks off in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma marking the first ever indoor beach volleyball tour. Mark Williams and Nancy Mason are the first winners in the “King of the Beach format” events.
  • 2008: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
  • 2008: U.S. Women’s Beach Volleyball team Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take the Gold medal in Volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. China placed in both Silver and Bronze categories. U.S. Beach Volleyball’s Men’s team Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rodgers also took the Gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Brazil men’s teams placed in both Bronze and Silver categories.
  • 2012: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
  • 2012: U.S. Women’s team Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings return to the Summer games in London to successfully defend their Gold medal wins of 2008 and 2004 and become the only Women’s team in the sport’s history to ever win three consecutive Olympic Gold medals. Jennifer Kessey and April Ross of the United States win the Silver medal the same year.
  • 2016: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team qualifies to play at the Summer Olympics in Rio.
  • 2016: Today, people all over the world play volleyball. Research shows volleyball is one of the top 3 most popular sports for women to play in high school. However, people of all ages find enjoyment in recreational volleyball, as its’ popularity continues to grow.
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The Complete History of Volleyball (From 1985 Until Now)

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Volleyball is the second most popular participation sport worldwide, behind only soccer.

Over 800 million people around the globe play volleyball weekly, with Americans only representing about 6% of the international weekly volleyball players.

But this number is sure to increase as volleyball is rapidly becoming immensely popular everywhere around the world.

So, where did our amazing sport come from?

Let’s take an in-depth look at the history of volleyball from its creation in 1895 through today.

volleyball on the court

The Birth and History of Volleyball

William Morgan (no, not Captain William Morgan) was an instructor at a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the late 1800s.

In 1895, he decided he needed to create a game more suitable for the less athletic, business focused boys and men at the YMCA.

A game that would still require strength and skill, but be appropriate for people less mobile.

He would call this game “mintonette”.

William had the opportunity to interact with a man by the name of James Naismith during his time at Springfield College, in the early 1890s.

Naismith, of course, was the inventor of what is now internationally known as basketball.

Mr. Morgan was inspired by Naismith’s creativity and set out to create a sport blending the skills of basketball, baseball, handball, and tennis, wanting to borrow some ideas as he had limited time to come up with his invention.

All the while, he was keeping in mind his goal of creating a game for all age levels and strengths.

His creation was finally completed in 1895.

At that point, William had a set of ground rules made up to facilitate the game.

He used a tennis net, lifted to the height of six feet and six inches.

He chose a court roughly 30 feet wide and 60 feet long (probably close to 25 x 50 at first), to ensure the game could be played in gymnasiums all around the country.

Here is a short list of the rules, as originally set forth by William Morgan in 1895.

There are some distinct differences between the game at its inception and the game as it will be even 30 years later, in the early 1920s.

1. The game will last nine “innings”.

2. An inning correlates to the number playing. If one man is on each side – then an inning is one serve series per side. A lost serve is half the inning.

3. A serve must be struck and hit over the net. The server has two tries to get it in (like tennis), however, if a teammate hits the ball after the service to “help” it over it is good.

4. A side only scores when serving – as in side out scoring.

5. The ball is considered dead anytime it hits the net. No “let serves” or playing it out of the net.

6. The line is considered out.

7. Any number of people can play, if teams are equal.

8. If a ball touches a wall or ceiling and bounces back in play, it is still live.

9. No limit to hits per side and no limits to hits in a row by the same player (dribbling).

The Creation of a New Ball

As William worked on his new game, he did have one major hiccup…

He faced quite a challenge selecting an appropriate ball to be struck back and forth.

A basketball was too heavy. Even with the leather stripped off, the bladder was not substantial enough.

So, Mr. Morgan sought the assistance of a familiar name in the world of sports goods – A.G. Spalding & Bros.

Along with Dale Callaghan, a specialized ball was created that was about 26 inches in circumference and weighing in at around 10.5 ounces.

This provided the very rough outline for what would become the modern-day volleyball.

The Death of “Mintonette”

It was time for William Morgan to debut his new game to the world, or at least those in attendance at the new East Gymnasium at the Springfield College.

The history of volleyball would never be the same...

Mr. Morgan announced his sport as “mintonette” and his presentation would include two teams of five men to demonstrate the game and its rules.

In attendance that day was a significant figure at Springfield College, Professor Alfred T. Halstead. Mr. Halstead suggested that the game was a masterpiece, however, the name was a little lacking…

Halsted stated that it appeared the men were volleying the ball back and forth to each other and the game should be called “volleyball”.

The day Mintonette had its debut, it lost its name to the term Volleyball.

On July 7, 1896, volleyball had its first official game.

From there, William Morgan moved on from the YMCA to pursue other careers. He was said to simply be proud that volleyball was being enjoyed by so many people.

William Morgan would die on December 27, 1942.

His name continues to be honored in the volleyball world, as the top male and female players at the United States collegiate volleyball level are awarded the Morgan Trophy each year.

volleyball gym by Paul Simpson @Flickr

The Spread of Volleyball

From its introduction in 1896 to the people of the local YMCA and Springfield College, volleyball has traveled all the way around the world.

It has spread relatively organically through a variety of social coincidences and intentional introductions.

The YMCA played a major role in the globalization of volleyball. The sport was spread to areas of YMCA influence in the early 1900s.

Areas like Canada, Asia, and South America saw an influx of people playing volleyball around the turn of the 20 th century.

Volleyball picked up in popularity quickly from there and spread to areas of the Caribbean and fully inundated South America.

In 1907, the Playground of America convention highlighted volleyball as one of the “most popular sports” of the time, and in 1913, volleyball was introduced to competition at the Far Eastern games.

Another significant impact on the global distribution of volleyball was the disbursement of U.S. military members throughout the world in late 1910s.

In 1919, around 16,000 service members were presented with volleyballs, and the game was spread to many nations at this time by those serving abroad.

Fast forward to 1964 and volleyball makes its Olympics debut in Tokyo, Japan. A more modern ball was introduced by Japanese players.

The 1960s were quite innovative for volleyball as the dink, bump, and block were all introduced to the game.

In 1996, beach volleyball finds its way into the Olympics and the indoor game is streamlined.

1996 marks the seismic increase in the global popularity of competitive volleyball.

volleyball and flag on the court

Volleyball Changes Over Time

Like all sports, volleyball has seen some significant changes since its inception in the late 1800s.

Rules have come and gone, as have strategies.

Let’s look at some key rule changes throughout the 100+ years of volleyball’s existence.

  • 1900: Net height raised to 7’6”.

  • 1912: Establishment of six players per side and rotation before the serve.

  • 1916: Establishment that ball must be touched by another player after each contact.

  • 1916: Net height raised to 8’0”.

  • 1920: Only three hits per side introduced.

  • 1922: Back line touching rules introduced. Win by two precedent set.

  • 1925: Introduction of basic substitution rules and limitations.

  • 1937: Multiple contacts allowed on hard hit balls.

  • 1938: Blocking rules introduced – one or two man block allowed but had to be adjacent.

  • 1940: Ball rules clarified – must be 12-piece laced leather ball.

  • 1949: Three man block legalized.

  • 1951: Back line hits allowed by back row players.

  • 1952: Serves from anywhere behind the service line – making way for jump serves .

  • 1956: Rotational rules set.

  • 1960: Women’s net height lowered to 7’4”.

  • 1968: “Spiking line” moved from seven feet to what is now the 10-foot line (3m line).

  • 1974: Antennae were officially added to the net set up.

  • 1976: Blocks no longer count as first touch. Rescinded the hard hit ball contact rule.

  • 1984: Double contact allowed on serve receives. Blocking or attacking serve illegal.

  • 1999: Introduction of rally scoring. Games to 25 (deciding games to 15) – win by two.

  • 2001: “Let” serve in play (ball can touch net and still be played if in opponent court).

  • 2002: Coaches allowed to communicate with players throughout play.

As we can see, a myriad of changes occurred as the popularity of volleyball grew internationally.

Many rules were introduced, rescinded, and reintroduced several times as the rules continued to be ironed out.

volleyball court

Who Makes the Volleyball Rules Now?

As volleyball has settled into its own over the century or so it has been around, many have had input on the rules and laws of the sport.

As early as 1928, an association now known as USA Volleyball (formerly the United States Volleyball Association or USVBA) was formed to address standardization of the rules of the game.

This allowed the game to be played across the nation under the same guidelines, making events like the first volleyball U.S. Open possible.

About 20 years later, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball was introduced in Paris, France, as an international governing body, providing worldwide stability for the growing game.

In turn, international tournaments could be organized utilizing the rules set forth by the new international federation.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the NCAA officially sanctioned volleyball and national teams were organized for Olympic and international tournament play.

From there, into the 1980s, two-man beach volleyball gained notoriety and was given an international stage in 1996 at the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

While there are several national and international groups determining their specific rules of the game, volleyball has come into a time of stability and popularity like never before.

Rule changes are minor and hardly prevalent, and competitive play is popular amongst all age groups.

It is truly astounding to see how far volleyball has come in its relatively short lifetime.

From a game created for the “less mobile” to what has become a wildly popular display of athleticism, Mr. William Morgan discovered something he would probably not have imagined could grow so big.

A truly global sport, played by almost a billion people worldwide, volleyball history is rich with growth and change and has an even brighter future.

Now, get out there and join the masses on a volleyball court near you!

the history of volleyball essay

Please include the contribution of the Philippines namely the three hits rule i. e. passing, setting, spiking known as Filipino bomb spike and the production of the Libero monitoring sheet now known as R-6.

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Volleyball: a brief history

Originally known as “mintonette,” volleyball was the brainchild of American William G. Morgan, who came up with the idea for the new sport in 1895.

Volleyball: a brief history

As a student at the Springfield College in Massachusets, he had befriended James Naismith who, in 1891, had himself invented basketball. After graduating, Morgan went on to become director of physical education at the Young Man’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusets and it was there that he devised his new sport, which was designed to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball.

Morgan was keen for his sport to offer a less physically intense and demanding alternative to Naismith’s basketball, one that would appeal to a far broader range of ages and physical abilities. Describing his early experimentations, he said: “In search of an appropriate game, tennis occurred to me, but this required rackets, balls, a net and other equipment, so it was eliminated, but the idea of a net seemed a good one. We raised it to a height of about 6 feet, 6 inches [1.98 metres] from the ground, just above the head of an average man. We needed a ball and among those we tried was a basketball bladder, but this was too light and too slow. We therefore tried the basketball itself, which was too big and too heavy.”

It was not until 1900 that a specially designed ball - lighter and smaller - was devised, which opened up a whole new range of tactical and technical possibilities for the sport. The offensive style of setting and spiking was first showcased in 1916, in the Philippines. Over the years that followed the rules of the sport were further refined and standardised. In 1917, the scoring system per game was changed from 21 to 15 points, while in 1920 the rule stipulating a maximum of three hits per team was instituted.

Until the early 1930s volleyball was for the most part a game of leisure and recreation, and there were only a few international activities and competitions. There were different rules of the game in the various parts of the world; however, national championships were played in many countries (for instance, in Eastern Europe where the level of play had reached a remarkable standard).

The sport took a huge step forward in 1947 with the creation of the Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) . Two years later the inaugural World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Volleyball made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 1964 , with the USSR taking men’s gold and the host nation winning the women’s competition.

Beach volleyball , which had its origins on the beaches of California back in 1930, had to wait until 1996 for its inclusion on the Olympic programme , and it has helped take the global reach and popularity of the sport to a new level.

Volleyball has witnessed a particularly impressive growth spurt over the last two decades, fuelled by the expansion of international competitions such as the FIVB World Championships, the FIVB World League, the FIVB World Grand Prix, the FIVB World Cup and the FIVB Grand Champions Cup, not to mention of course, the Olympic Games, where both the indoor and beach versions now enjoy huge popularity.

Today, over 120 years after it was first conceived, volleyball is played by more than 800 million people worldwide, a fact that would surely leave its creator, William Morgan, whose goal was to create a sport open to all, a huge amount of satisfaction.

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100 Words Essay on History of Volleyball

The birth of volleyball.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical education teacher. He wanted a game that was less rough than basketball for his older students.

Early Rules and Development

The original game involved a net and a rubber ball. The rules have evolved over time. For instance, the number of players changed from nine to six.

Global Spread

The game quickly became popular worldwide. By 1916, it was a part of the official program of the Summer Olympic Games.

Modern Volleyball

Today, volleyball is played at various levels, from school leagues to professional competitions. It continues to be a beloved sport globally.

250 Words Essay on History of Volleyball

The genesis of volleyball.

Volleyball’s inception dates back to 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Its creator, William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical education director, sought to create a game that could be played indoors and was less physically demanding than basketball. He coined the term “mintonette,” which later became volleyball, indicating the volleying nature of the game.

Early Development and Rules

Morgan’s game was originally designed for older members of the YMCA, but it quickly gained popularity among a broader audience. The first rules, written by Morgan himself, specified a net 6 ft 6 in high, a 25 ft × 50 ft court, and any number of players. The first ball was designed by Spalding in 1896, following the specifications of Morgan.

International Adoption and Evolution

Volleyball spread to other countries, leading to its inclusion in the Far Eastern Games in 1913. In 1947, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was established, and the first World Championships were held in 1949 for men and 1952 for women. The scoring system evolved over time, with the introduction of rally scoring in the late 1990s to make the game more spectator-friendly.

Volleyball Today

Today, volleyball is a globally recognized sport, played at the Olympic level. Its variations, like beach volleyball, have also gained immense popularity. The sport’s growth and development over the years testify to its adaptability and enduring appeal. The history of volleyball is a testament to the human desire for recreation, competition, and innovation.

500 Words Essay on History of Volleyball

Introduction.

Volleyball, an Olympic team sport, is a thrilling game that has gained worldwide popularity over the years. It’s a sport that requires agility, strategic thinking, and exceptional teamwork. However, the history of volleyball, its evolution, and its rise to global prominence is an intriguing story that often goes unnoticed.

Origins of Volleyball

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan was a physical education director at the YMCA and was inspired by the dynamics of basketball, but sought to create a game with less physical contact that would be suitable for older members. He initially called this game “Mintonette,” which was meant to be an indoor sport, less rough but still requiring athletic effort.

Evolution of the Game

The game underwent significant changes early in its history. During a demonstration, a spectator suggested that the trajectory of the ball volleying over the net resembled a “volley,” hence the game was renamed “volleyball.” The rules evolved too. In 1916, the concept of ‘set’ and ‘spike’ was introduced, and in 1922, the maximum number of player contacts was limited to three. The court dimensions and the number of players were standardized, and rules regarding fouls and rotations were established.

Global Expansion

Volleyball’s popularity spread globally during the 20th century. The sport was included in the official program of the Summer Olympic Games in 1964, which significantly increased its global visibility. The formation of the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) in 1947 played a crucial role in promoting and standardizing the sport worldwide. Today, volleyball enjoys a massive following, with more than 200 national federations affiliated with the FIVB.

Modern volleyball has seen further evolution with the introduction of new techniques like the jump serve, libero position, and rally scoring system. The game’s dynamics have also changed with advancements in training methods and technology. Today’s volleyball is faster, more strategic, and more spectator-friendly than ever before.

From its humble beginnings as a recreational sport for middle-aged men at a Massachusetts YMCA, volleyball has evolved into a dynamic, globally recognized sport played at the highest competitive levels. The history of volleyball is a testament to the human spirit’s adaptability, innovation, and love for athletic competition. It serves as a reminder that sports are not only about winning or losing, but also about bringing people together, promoting physical fitness, and providing a source of entertainment and joy.

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the history of volleyball essay

Last updated: Jan 29, 2024

History of Volleyball

History of Volleyball

Volleyball is a very popular sport worldwide; however, it didn’t always carry such esteem and popularity. In fact, volleyball came from quite humble beginnings. Read on to learn more about the history of volleyball.

Table of Contents

Which country started volleyball, who invented volleyball, why was volleyball invented, when was volleyball established, when did volleyball become popular, key facts and timeline.

The earliest known version of volleyball was established in the United States in 1895.  More specifically, the game was created in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The YMCA that served the city is widely considered to be the birthplace of volleyball, as the first recorded games took place at this venue towards the tail end of the 19th century.

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan , a New York native who was working at the YMCA in Holyoke at the time. Morgan was close friends with basketball inventor James Naismith, whose invention was growing increasingly popular amongst children and young people.

Upon noticing that basketball required far too much running and jumping for older participants, Morgan sought to create an alternative activity that could be played at a fraction of the physical expense associated with basketball . Volleyball was thus born, using similar elements from sports like basketball (the ball) and tennis (the net) but combining them in such a way that warranted no physical contact or overt physical stress.

Volleyball was officially established in 1895 , although the variation that existed at the time was much different than the version that has come to dominate the modern era.  For one, the court was much smaller, and players were given an unlimited number of hits to clear the ball over the net. Moreover, game durations were initially modeled after baseball, with nine three-serve “innings” constituting the successful completion of a game. The ball was also adapted from the basketball initially used to become the lightweight rubber ball that players and viewers are used to seeing today.

Volleyball did not start to become popular until several years after its inception. The sport garnered international popularity beginning in 1913 , with Asia adopting the game and making it an official part of several national tournaments and sporting events .

Volleyball then rose to fame as a competitive sport in 1916, as it became an officially recognized sport by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In recent years, the popularity of volleyball has reached new heights, as it ranks second behind only soccer relative to the number of participants worldwide. 

The following timeline provides a brief overview of the most important facts and events in volleyball’s history to date.

  • 1895 : Earliest version of volleyball is invented in 1895 by William Morgan.
  • 1917-1920 : Modern rule adaptations are introduced, including the three-hit rule and assigning three players to a row. Different hit types and passing styles are also developed during this period (set and spike).
  • 1922 : First YMCA national volleyball championships are held in Brooklyn, NY.
  • 1928 : USA Volleyball, the sport’s first official governing body, is established.
  • 1930 : Beach volleyball (two-on-two) is played for the first time.
  • 1949 : Inaugural World Volleyball Championships are held in the Czech Republic.
  • 1964 : Volleyball appears on the Olympic Games schedule of events for the first time.
  • 1975 : Men’s and women’s national teams are formed to represent the United States in international competitions.
  • 1981 : Debut of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament (national, collegiate-level competition).

Where did volleyball originally come from?

Volleyball was originally invented in Holyoke, Massachusetts.  The inventor, William G. Morgan, saw how popular the newly invented sport of basketball was becoming and desired to create his own game. Volleyball, however, was designed to use very minimal physical effort in order to target older players. While this version of volleyball was much different than the sport today, it is credited with beginning the era of volleyball.

What was the first volleyball ever used?

The first ball ever used in volleyball was just the rubber casing of a basketball .  However, this proved to be too light, so some players used whole basketballs instead. After a few years, Morgan went to Spalding & Bros. to ask for a ball suited specifically for his game. The result was a latex ball with cheesecloth and leather wrapped around it. This version of the volleyball resembles the modern-day ball.

What was volleyball’s original name?

Volleyball was originally called “mintonette.”  This name stemmed from the game’s combination of multiple different sports, one of which was badminton. In the early stages of the game, badminton was the sport that volleyball most closely resembled, which is likely why it was named after it.

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF VOLLEYBALL

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History Of Volleyball Essay

Volleyball is a sport that has a long and rich history. It is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century, and quickly gained popularity around the world. Volleyball is now an Olympic sport, with teams from all over the globe competing for the gold medal.

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in 1895. Morgan, who was a YMCA physical education director, designed the game to be a combination of tennis, handball, and basketball. The first volleyball net was just six feet high, which is much lower than the regulation height of seven feet, four inches. The game was initially played with a large beach ball; it wasn’t until 1896 that the first Volleyball World Championship was held, using a Volleyball specifically made for the game.

Volleyball became an official Olympic sport in 1964, and has been played in every Summer Olympics since then. The first Volleyball World Championship for women was held in 1952; however, it wasn’t until 1996 that Volleyball became an official Olympic sport for women.

The game of Volleyball has evolved significantly since its inception over a century ago. The rules have been tweaked and refined, and new variations of the game have been created. Nevertheless, the basic premise of the game remains the same: Volleyball is a fun and exciting way to stay active and compete with friends or strangers alike. Thanks to its simple rules and easy-to-learn gameplay, Volleyball is a sport that anyone can enjoy. Whether you’re playing on the beach, in the park, or in your own backyard, Volleyball is sure to provide hours of fun and exercise.

On February 9, 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, YMCA P.E. director William G. Morgan invents a game called Mignonette as an indoor/outdoor pastime that borrows characteristics from tennis and handball . Also becoming popular at the time was basketball , invented just ten miles away in Springfield four years prior to volleyball .

Volleyball was designed as a less strenuous alternative to basketball. The Volley ball net was originally six feet six inches high, which is the same as a badminton net, and the court was 25 feet by 50 feet, which is half the size of a regulation basketball court. A match consisted of nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning and no limit to the number of hits for each team before sending the ball over the net . Volleyball became so popular that within two years there were already Volley ball leagues across the country.

The first Volleyball World Championships were held in 1949 in Prague, Czech Republic. Twenty-seven countries participated in this event. Volleyball became an official Olympic sport in 1964 at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Volleyball is now played all around the world by people of all ages. Volleyball is a very popular sport because anyone can play it and you don’t need any special equipment, just a net and a ball. Volleyball is also a great way to stay active and fit.

Mintonette was designed as an indoor sport that would be less rough than basketball, but still require some level of athleticism from the players. Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team’s court under organized rules created by William Morgan.

Volleyball has evolved a great deal since it was first created over 100 years ago. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net so that it hits the ground inside the other team’s court. Volleyball is a sport that can be played indoors or outdoors. Volleyball is a very popular sport all around the world. Volleyball is an enjoyable game for people of all ages. Volleyball is a sport that requires a lot of skill and coordination. Volleyball is a sport that is enjoyed by many people all over the world.

Today, volleyball is one of the world’s most popular team sports. It is still growing in popularity, though it remains less popular than some other professional sports such as association football and baseball. However, according to the Federation International de Volleyball, it is currently the most played team sport in the world.Volleyball first reached Asia in 1908 when a Springfield College graduate demonstrated the game at a YMCA in Tokyo.

Volleyball also quickly became popular in the Philippines, India and China during the early 1900s. Volleyball was first seen in Europe when it was played at a school for physical education teachers in Estonia around 1915. Volleyball started to grow rapidly in popularity after the First World War. Volleyball is an Olympic sport since 1964 Summer Olympics.

Volleyball has its roots in several other sports including tennis, handball, and basketball. Volleyball truly became its own game in 1895 when William G. Morgan, an American physical education teacher created what he called “Mintonette” as an alternative indoor sport to Basketball for his students at Holyoke YMCA in Massachusetts, United States. The net height in volleyball was originally designed so that the game could be played by people of all ages and heights. In 1896, YMCA in Brooklyn, New York started playing a Volleyball-like game called “Paper Ball” because they did not have any Volleyballs yet.

The Y game was brought to China in 1910 by two representatives, and then the YMCA director introduced it to Philippines. William Morgan, the Holyoke inventor of volleyball died at 68 years old in 1942 just barely missing recognition from the international federation set up in Paris or IOC’s official sport status in 1964.

Volleyball made its first appearance as an Olympic sport in the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Volleyball is a relatively new sport, having only been invented in 1895. Volleyball has grown in popularity all over the world and is now one of the most popular sports. Volleyball is a team sport played by two teams on a court divided by a net.

The object of the game is to score points by grounding the ball on the other team’s court, or by forcing the other team to make errors. Volleyball is usually played indoors, but can also be played outdoors. Volleyball is a very popular sport, with millions of people playing it all over the world. Volleyball is especially popular in Europe and South America. Volleyball is also a popular sport in the United States.

Volleyball is a relatively new sport, but has quickly grown in popularity. Volleyball is now one of the most popular sports in the world. Volleyball is a team sport that can be played indoors or outdoors. Volleyball is a very popular sport, with millions of people playing it all over the world. Volleyball is especially popular in Europe and South America.

The object of volleyball is to score points by grounding the ball on the other team’s court, or by forcing the other team to make errors. Volleyball is a very fast paced game, and requires quick reflexes and good team work. Volleyball is a great game for all ages, and can be played recreationally or competitively. Volleyball is a sport that anyone can enjoy.

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the history of volleyball essay

History of Volleyball

The History of Volleyball According to (Stengenth and Power of Volleyball), for the first time in the history of volleyball, volleyball was played in the Pan American Games in 1955. In 1957, volleyball was designated as an Olympic team sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 1959, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) had volleyball be one of the eight competitions held in first University Games in Turin, Italy. In 1960, seven Midwestern institutions formed the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA).

In the 1960’s, new volleyball techniques were developed. Off-speed hits, open hand tips, forearm passing, blocking at the net, and defensive plays such as diving and sprawling become a big part of the game. With the FIVB already having its own world championships, the FIVB directed its attention to the Olympic Games . Thanks to the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, a tournament took place in Sofia in 1957 during the International Olympic Committee meetings. As a result of this event, volleyball became an Olympic Sport.

In 1964, volleyball was first played in the Olympics in Tokyo. Volleyball became a part of the Olympic Games, which allowed it to grow even more. Also, in the 1964 Olympics, the Japanese used a volleyball that consisted of a rubber casing with leather panels. A similar ball is used in modern volleyball competitions. In 1969, a new international event, the World Cup was introduced. The World Cup would be turned into a qualifying event for the 1991 Olympic Games. In 1974, Japan telecasted a major volleyball event in Mexico, the World Championships.

In 1983, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was founded by Leonard Armato. The organization started its own beach volleyball tour in the United States in 1984. By the late 1980’s, the AVP tour was growing fast due to the promotion of the sport by the professional beach players Tim Hovland, Sinjin Smith, Randy Stoklos, and Mike Dodd. In 1986, the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed to administer, govern, and protect the integrity of Women’s Professional Beach Volleyball.

In 1987, the FIVB added a Beach Volleyball World Championship Series 1989 – The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created in 1990, a men’s volleyball competition called the World League was created. The World League is the longest and most flourishing of all the international events organized by the FIVB. The tournament is an annual event. In 2006, prize money became a major deal with $20 million dollars being distributed amongst 16 participating teams from 5 continents. The World League is sometimes confused with the other international volleyball competitions – Volleyball World Cup and Volleyball World Championships.

In 1995, the sport of Volleyball turned 100 years old. In 1996, for the first time in the history of volleyball, beach doubles volleyball is included in the Olympic Games. Major events in the 90’s took place including the establishment of annual competitions for men’s and women’s volleyball (the World League, in 1990, and the Grand Prix, in 1993), the indication of Beach volleyball as an Olympic event (1996). These events and many rule changes in the game were made the purpose of enhancing the popularity and public visibility of the sport.

William G. Morgan (1870-1942), invented volleyball in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan, who was born in New York, is known as the inventor of volleyball which he originally named Mintonette. Later, Alfred Halstead re-named Mintonette volleyball because the object of the game was to volley a ball back and forth over a net. Morgan studied at the Springfield College of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) where he met James Naismith. Naismith, in 1891, had recently invented the game of basketball.

During the summer of 1895, Morgan moved to the YMCA at Holyoke where he became Director of Physical Education. In this role, Morgan had the opportunity to direct a vast program of exercises and sport classes for male adults. His leadership was eagerly accepted, and his classes grew in large numbers. He came to realize he needed a different type of competitive recreational game in order to vary his physical fitness program. Basketball, which sport was beginning to develop, seemed to suit young people, but it was necessary to find a less violent and less intense alternative for the older members.

Morgan took some of the characteristics from tennis and handball along with basketball. Morgan liked the game of tennis, but tennis required rackets, balls, and a net. He didn’t like all the equipment, but he did like the idea of a net. Morgan invented volleyball, which was originally called Mintonette. Mintonette was designed to be an indoor sport. Mintonette was less rough than basketball for older members of the YMCA, while still requiring some athletic ability. The first rules required for a net to be 6 feet 6 inches (1. 98 meters) high, a 25 ? 50 foot (7. ? 15. 2 meter) court. Each team could have as many players as a team wanted. A match was nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning. There was no limit to the number of ball contacts for each team before sending the ball to the other side of the court. (Stengenth and Power of Volleyball)In case of a miss serve, a second try was allowed. Hitting the ball into the net was a fault, with loss of the point or a side-out, except in the case of a first serve attempt. References (n. d. ). Retrieved from Stengenth and Power of Volleyball.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Women in Sports — Volleyball: Informative Speech

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Volleyball: Informative Speech

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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The history of volleyball, the rules of the game, the benefits of playing volleyball.

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the history of volleyball essay

Volleyball Essay

Volleyball Essay

Introduction

We are blessed to have a healthy life. To keep ourselves fit and active, we must follow healthy food habits and engage in physical sports or activities regularly. In schools, there are physical education hours for children to participate in a variety of games and sports. If they have a passion for any sport, we must encourage and support them. In this volleyball essay, we will be discussing one such sport that is played with a ball in two teams.

Volleyball is a popular game played in different parts of the world. There will be two teams of 6 members each who play on either side of the net. The players throw the ball with their hands or arms over the net, and they score when the ball hits the ground of the other team. Through this volleyball essay in English, we can make our children aware of the rules and benefits of playing the game.

Rules of Volleyball

Volleyball is a fun game to play, and we will see some basic rules associated with it in this essay about volleyball experience. Without these rules, volleyball will be like passing the ball with no excitement or joy. So, let us understand how volleyball is played through this volleyball essay in English.

In a volleyball game, a player from one team throws the ball to the opposite team from the boundary line of the court without touching the net. The players of the other team must receive the ball and pass it back by stopping it from falling to the ground. Instead of catching and throwing, the ball is passed continuously in volleyball.

The volleyball essay also points out how a player could only touch the ball once before passing. On the other hand, within a team, a ball can be passed to team members a maximum of 3 times before passing. The team scores a point when the ball touches the ground of the other team, or the ball touches the net when the opposing team throws the ball. Whichever team gets the highest score wins the game.

Benefits of Playing Volleyball

There is a sense of togetherness and determination while playing volleyball, and this is highlighted in the essay about volleyball experience. As volleyball involves physical activity, this game will keep our children healthy and fit. We will be discussing other benefits of the game in this volleyball essay in English.

Since volleyball is played in teams, it would enhance children’s leadership , teamwork and social skills. As they coordinate with other members and plan strategies, the game will teach them perseverance and hard work. Moreover, there are many mental benefits of playing volleyball. The game is perfect for relieving stress and improving the focus of children. Thus, the volleyball essay concludes that the game is rewarding and rejuvenating for all. For more such interesting essays for kids, check out our website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Volleyball Essay

How can children write an essay about volleyball.

Children can refer to the sample provided on BYJU’S website to write an essay on volleyball. They can mention how the game is played and the benefits of playing it in their essay.

Can children play volleyball?

Volleyball can be played by both children and adults alike. Since it is fun for children, they will surely like to play volleyball. By playing volleyball, they can develop their social skills as well as focus on their physical and mental health.

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The N.C.A.A.’s Landmark Athlete-Pay Settlement, Explained

The $2.8 billion agreement announced on Thursday would, if approved by a judge, allow college athletes to share team revenue for the first time. Here is what we know.

Blurred figures run down a basketball court. At center court is a logo that says “March Madness.”

By Billy Witz

When the N.C.A.A. and the major athletic conferences agreed on Thursday night to a $2.8 billion settlement of a class-action antitrust lawsuit by college athletes, it was a pivotal moment in the long history of college sports.

For the first time, the N.C.A.A. agreed to allow colleges and universities to pay athletes directly for playing sports, through revenue sharing plans.

The agreement also would pay compensation to close to 25,000 athletes who attended 363 Division I colleges and were denied the ability to make money by marketing their names and images during their playing days. Restrictions on those kinds of deals were lifted by the N.C.A.A. in 2021.

Here’s what we know about the settlement and its possible impact.

How is this settlement different from other lawsuits and decisions over pay for student athletes?

This settlement would create a system through which Division I athletes can be paid directly by their schools for playing sports — a first in the nearly 120-year history of the N.C.A.A. An earlier decision three years ago permitted college athletes to make money on their own by marketing their names and images individually.

Is the settlement final?

Not yet. The federal judge in California, Claudia Wilken, who is presiding over the case, known as House v. N.C.A.A., will decide in the next few months whether to approve or reject the settlement.

Judge Wilken has decided two other influential antitrust cases against the N.C.A.A. involving payment to student players. In each of the cases, known as O’Bannon and Alston, she ruled for the plaintiffs, but awarded only minimal relief.

What would the settlement do?

There are two major parts of the settlement — one to compensate players for income they have already foregone, and the other to allow schools to pay their players from now on, through revenue sharing.

The compensation part calls for $2.8 billion in damages to be divided among athletes in three categories. One group is made up almost exclusively of athletes who played major-conference football and men’s basketball, the college sports that yield the most revenue. Another category covers women’s basketball players in the major conferences. And the third includes any other Division I athlete who competed between 2016 and 2020 and joined the lawsuit. (One of those athletes is Grant House, a former swimmer at Arizona State who is the first named plaintiff in the case.)

The N.C.A.A. has not released details on how these back payments would be distributed, or on what basis the amounts would be decided.

Where would that $2.8 billion come from?

The money would be paid over 10 years by the N.C.A.A. and by athletic conferences made up of Division I colleges and universities, who account for about 30 percent of the N.C.A.A.’s more than 1,100 members.

Here is how it breaks down: The N.C.A.A. would cover 41 percent ($1.2 billion) of the bill through spending reductions and new revenue and by dipping into its reserves.

The conferences that were co-defendants in the lawsuit — Big Ten, Southeastern, Big 12, Atlantic Coast and Pac-12 — would pay about 24 percent, and the remaining five conferences that compete for the College Football Playoff would contribute about 10 percent.

The Football Championship Subdivision, which includes conferences like the Big Sky and the Ivy League and historically Black colleges and universities, would pay about 13 percent. And Division I conferences that do not play football, like the Big East, would foot 12 percent of the bill.

The conferences’ share would come from money withheld from future N.C.A.A. distributions, mostly from the men’s basketball tournament. The N.C.A.A. is using each conference’s representation in the tournament to determine its individual share, so a conference like the Ivy League, whose teams have won tournament games the last two years, would be on the hook for more than, say, the Southland Conference.

How will the revenue sharing part work?

Many details are unclear, and may not be made public until the judge makes her decision.

Here are the broad outlines: Beginning with the 2025 football season, Division I schools would be allowed — but not required — to set aside up to about $20 million of sports revenue a year to pay athletes. Each school would decide for itself how to distribute the money and which athletes would receive it.

Overall, the settlement would call for schools to share about 22 percent of their sports revenue with players. That is a much smaller share than in the professional sports world, where leagues have agreed to share about 50 percent of revenue with players.

Might a volleyball player, say, receive money, or will it just be for football and basketball players?

That would be left up to each school. Some might choose to pay all varsity athletes, others might pay only those in high-profile programs that bring money in, or any other combination.

It is unclear how this plan would be affected by Title IX, the federal law dictating that schools must provide equal opportunities for men and women in athletics.

Why did the N.C.A.A. opt for this settlement?

The organization wanted to avoid what could have been a far larger award to the plaintiffs if the case had gone to trial and the plaintiffs won — a potential price tag of more than $4 billion.

By settling the case and creating a plan for revenue sharing, the N.C.A.A. is hoping to ward off more antitrust lawsuits claiming that athletes are being unfairly denied compensation. Litigation on those lines has hampered the N.C.A.A.’s ability to make even basic rules about how it governs itself.

How would the settlement affect college players’ efforts to unionize?

At this point, not at all. There are three cases working their way through various forums that seek to classify athletes as employees, and those efforts would not be directly affected by the settlement.

Dartmouth men’s basketball players have been allowed to form a union by the National Labor Relations Board, though the college is appealing the decision. An N.L.R.B. administrative judge is awaiting final written arguments on whether U.S.C. football and men’s and women’s basketball players should be classified as employees. And an antitrust lawsuit over the issue, Johnson v. N.C.A.A., has been marooned in a federal appeals court for 15 months awaiting a ruling on the N.C.A.A.’s motion to dismiss it.

One thing to consider: The settlement would last for 10 years. If revenue sharing is extended beyond that, it might have to be done through collective bargaining.

What about the N.C.A.A.’s efforts to get help from Congress?

The N.C.A.A. has spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress in recent years, asking for an antitrust exemption that would shield it from lawsuits that limit its ability to make its own rules. For example, the N.C.A.A. had to abandon any restrictions on student transfers after a lawsuit by state attorneys general challenged the restrictions as a restraint of trade.

The organization will continue to ask Congress for help, but action is highly unlikely in this election year. Many lawmakers have expressed reluctance to intervene in how the N.C.A.A. governs itself.

The N.C.A.A. may use this settlement as a way to demonstrate to Congress that an antitrust exemption is necessary assistance, not a bailout.

Are all member schools in favor of this plan?

No. While many college leaders have acknowledged a need for some kind of compensation system., there is heated debate about how to go about it. Administrators from smaller conferences are upset that they were not included in discussions about the settlement, and are worried that their conferences will have to pay a disproportionate share of the cost.

What might block the settlement from being approved?

On Thursday, a judge in Colorado denied the N.C.A.A.’s request to move another antitrust case, Fontenot v. N.C.A.A., to the same court in California that will decide on the settlement. That decision leaves open the possibility that athletes who are part of the settlement class in the House case — any Division I athlete going back to 2016 — could opt out of the settlement if they believe that the Fontenot case might deliver more money to them. And if many athletes do opt out of the House case, that might affect Judge Wilken’s decision on whether to approve the settlement.

Inside the World of Sports

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping professional, collegiate and amateur athletics..

A Minnesota Rallying Cry:  Fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves have picked up on a phrase  uttered by the team’s star, Anthony Edwards, and are hardly put off by its mild vulgarity.

A Beloved Manager:  A coach’s soccer legacy is often reduced to titles and trophies. In Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp will endure in murals, music and shared memories .

The Business of Women’s Basketball:  Caitlin Clark’s arrival has many betting on the W.N.B.A.’s success. But certain structural disadvantages persist , including how much the players earn.

The Premier League’s Problems:  Soccer’s richest competition is a picture of health on the field. Away from it, the Premier League faces lawsuits, infighting and the threat of government regulation .

Competing for Olympic Spots:  Two friends had run side by side for more than 10,000 miles. Both vied for a place in the marathon at the Paris Games .

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  2. Volleyball History: Timeline & How it started

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    History of volleyball: From humble beginnings to a global sport. Originally called mintonette, the origin of volleyball can be traced back to 1895 in Massachusetts, USA. It was created by American William G. Morgan. For a sport that has been around for over a century, the origin of volleyball traces its roots to a rather humble beginning.

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    The History of Volleyball. Categories: Volleyball. Words: 553 | Page: 1 | 3 min read. Published: Apr 29, 2022. William G. Morgan was a gentleman. He liked the newly created game, Basketball, but he felt that is was hard for older men to play. He needed to invent a game with less jumping and jolting and that older men could play.

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    The Birth and History of Volleyball. William Morgan (no, not Captain William Morgan) was an instructor at a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the late 1800s. In 1895, he decided he needed to create a game more suitable for the less athletic, business focused boys and men at the YMCA. A game that would still require strength and skill, but be ...

  8. THE REAL HISTORY OF VOLLEYBALL

    In 1894, after graduation, Morgan accepted the position of physical director of the Auburn, Maine YMCA. The following year he accepted a similar post in Holyoke, Mass., and it was here the story of Volleyball began. Invention of the Game. William Morgan arrived at the Holyoke YMCA in August of 1895 and the new physical director had a problem.

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    Key Facts and Timeline. The following timeline provides a brief overview of the most important facts and events in volleyball's history to date. 1895: Earliest version of volleyball is invented in 1895 by William Morgan. 1917-1920: Modern rule adaptations are introduced, including the three-hit rule and assigning three players to a row.

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    Volleyball is a sport that has a long and rich history. It is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century, and quickly gained popularity around the world. Volleyball is now an Olympic sport, with teams from all over the globe competing for the gold medal. Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in 1895.

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  24. The N.C.A.A.'s Landmark Athlete-Pay Settlement, Explained

    The $2.8 billion agreement announced on Thursday would, if approved by a judge, allow college athletes to share team revenue for the first time. Here is what we know. The N.C.A.A. said on Thursday ...