What are the rules for serving in volleyball?
B · Beginner · Rotation and serving · 4 of 8The serve is hit by the back-right player from behind the end line, with one hand or arm, after tossing or releasing the ball. The server has 8 seconds from the referee's whistle and one toss. A serve that touches the net and goes over is good and play continues.
How it works
- Where: anywhere in the service zone, the 9-metre-wide area behind the end line.
- Feet: at the service hit, or at take-off for a jump serve, the server must not touch the court, the end line or the floor outside the service zone. After the hit they may land inside the court.
- The hit: with one hand or any part of the arm, after the ball is tossed or released. Underarm and overarm serves are both legal.
- One toss or release only. Bouncing the ball or moving it in the hands beforehand is allowed.
- Time: within 8 seconds of the first referee's whistle. A serve hit before the whistle is cancelled and repeated.
- The ball must cross the net inside the crossing space, between the antennae. It may touch the net on the way.
- The serve is a fault, and the opponents win the rally, if the ball touches a teammate, fails to cross the net, lands out or passes over a screen.
- The receiving team may not block a serve, or attack it while it is in the front zone and wholly above the net.
Tricky cases
The serve hit the net and dropped over. Is it a let?
No. There is no let in volleyball. The ball may touch the net while crossing it, so the serve is good and play goes on.
The server tossed the ball, did not like it and caught it. Can they toss again?
No. Only one toss or release is allowed.
Can the server step on the end line?
No. Touching the end line at the moment of the hit or the take-off is a foot fault.
Can a player serve from anywhere along the end line?
Yes. The service zone is the full 9-metre width of the court.
Why the rule exists
The serve starts every rally, so the rules make it one clean, visible action from behind the court and put a clock on it.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIVB rules | As above | V 12 |
| Beach volleyball | 5 seconds to serve; a tossed ball that drops untouched counts as the serve | BV 12.4.4, 12.4.6 |
From the rule book
FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 1.4.2, 10.2, 12, 13.2.4 and 14.5. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules (PDF).