What is a double or a lift in volleyball?
I · Intermediate · Playing the ball and the net · 2 of 8The ball must rebound from the hit. A catch is holding or throwing it, often called a lift or carry. A double contact is one player hitting the ball twice in a row, or the ball touching two parts of their body one after the other. On a team's first hit, such contacts within one action are allowed.
How it works
- The ball may touch any part of the body, including the foot.
- It must not be caught or thrown.
- It may touch several parts of the body if the contacts happen at the same moment.
- First hit of the team: the ball may touch several parts of the body one after another, if it is all one action. This covers receiving a serve or digging an attack.
- Blocking: consecutive quick contacts by one or more blockers are allowed in one action.
- Second and third hits: consecutive contacts are a double contact fault.
- A tip is legal only if the ball is cleanly hit, not caught or thrown.
Tricky cases
Can a player kick the ball?
Yes. The ball may touch any part of the body.
The serve bounced off a receiver's arms and then their shoulder. Is that a double?
No. On the team's first hit, consecutive contacts in one action are allowed.
The setter's hands touched the ball one after the other. Is it a double?
Yes, if the set was the team's second or third hit. The first-hit allowance does not apply.
Is an open-hand tip over the net legal?
Yes, in indoor volleyball, if the ball is cleanly hit and not caught or thrown.
Why the rule exists
Volleyball is a rebound game: the ball is never held. The leeway on the first hit recognises that a hard serve or spike cannot always be met cleanly.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIVB rules | As above | V 9.2; V 9.3.3, 9.3.4; V 13.1.2 |
| Beach volleyball | No open-hand tips; a first ball taken overhand with the fingers may not be doubled | BV 13.2.3; BV 9.2.2.2 |
From the rule book
FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 9.2, 9.3, 13.1.2 and 14.2. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules (PDF).