How many time-outs are there in volleyball?
I · Intermediate · Time-outs, substitutions, cards and officials · 6 of 8Each team may take two time-outs in each set, of 30 seconds each. The coach asks for one when the ball is out of play and before the referee whistles for the next serve. There are no automatic breaks during a set.
How it works
- Two a set for each team. Unused time-outs do not carry over.
- 30 seconds each.
- Requested by the coach with the hand signal or, if there is no coach, by the assistant coach or the game captain.
- During a time-out the players on court go to the free zone near their bench.
- Both time-outs may be taken one after the other, and a substitution may follow in the same stoppage.
- A request made during a rally, after the whistle for service or once the time-outs are used up is improper. The first improper request in a match is recorded with no penalty. A repeat is a delay.
- Between sets there is an interval of 3 minutes.
Tricky cases
Are there technical time-outs?
Not in the 2025-2028 indoor rules, which list only the two time-outs a team may request. Beach volleyball at FIVB events has one technical time-out in each of the first two sets.
Can a player call a time-out?
No, with one exception. The game captain may ask when the team has no coach or assistant coach acting.
Why the rule exists
Time-outs let a coach break an opponent's run of points and reset the team. Two short ones a set keeps that tool without stretching the match.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIVB rules | As above | V 15.1 to 15.4; V 15.11 |
| FIVB events | The length may be adjusted with FIVB approval | V 15.4.1 |
| Beach volleyball | One time-out a set; a technical time-out when the scores add up to 21 | BV 15.1; BV 15.4.2 |
From the rule book
FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 15.1 to 15.4, 15.11 and 18.1. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules (PDF).