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The History
of Volleyball – Who Invented Volleyball? When Was Beach Volleyball
Started?
The history of volleyball began in the mind of a man named William G.
Morgan. The original name for the sport was "Mintonette" but changed to
"Volleyball" very early on. 
Like the name the rules of the game have transformed and developed over
the years.
However, the spirit that volleyball was created in has been
carried on through over a century.
The History of
Volleyball - Where, When, Why?
Volleyball was invented in Massachusetts in 1895.
It remained solely an
American sport for a few years until it began crossing oceans to become
one of the most exciting and popular sports played world wide.
Volleyball had humble beginnings, created by a teacher to be a unique
and challenging game for his students. Now it is an Olympic sport
played and watched by millions of people inspiring fitness, skill and
teamwork.
The Ball and the Net in the History of
Volleyball
The tools of volleyball were taken into careful
consideration. 
Morgan liked the idea of a net, like the one
used in tennis, but rose it to 6 feet 6 inches above the
floor.
Then there was the matter of the ball. The
game required something larger than a tennis ball but lighter than a
basketball.
Created especially for this game was a light
leather covered ball that could easily be buoyed above the
net. It was a spectacular fit for the object of the game,
which was
to keep the ball in movement back and forth between teams.
Rules were made, the name was changed and a wonderful new sport was
born.
The History
of Volleyball – Few Important Rules Changes and International
Growth
The game of volleyball has experienced a wide variety of rules changes
throughout the early years. Also various parts of the world
have been using different rules before the standardization. 
Ball:
One of the big milestones on the rules timeline is the introduction of
a specifically for volleyball designed ball in 1900.
Number
of Players:
In 1912 the amount of players in a team was set at six, which is the
same as today. Also the rotation before serve was introduced.
1915 the number of players in a team varies between 2 to 6. Official
game time was introduced.
To
Europe by American Soldiers:
In 1915 volleyball arrives to France and French beaches with American
soldiers who were fighting in the First World War. The popularity of
volleyball grows rapidly. Volleyball expands especially to the Eastern
Europe, where the indoor games are popular due to cold climate.
Scoring:
In 1916 the scoring changed to a form which reminds of today’s scoring
system. The scoring changed from 21 to 15 points and the sets were
introduced. The winner was determined with the best of two of
three, which means two games are needed to win the match.
Playing
with the Foot:
In 1916 the consecutive contacts per player were limited to one.
A player commits a foul if he holds on to the ball.
Also
the ball was allowed to be played with feet (, which is interesting
because FIVB allowed it again in the recent rules changes in 1995.) 
Net is raised to 8 feet
(243,8 centimeters).
Volleyball becomes a part of NCAA, the governal body which manages
college athletics in USA.
Spiking:
In 1920 the set and spike “the Filippino Bomb”, which made the game
more dynamic, were established in the Philippines. One major
rule change was the allowing the team to play maximum of three contacts
before sending the ball over. The first attempts of block occurred;
even if the block was not identified by the rules yet.
Recreational
Sport:
Until the early 1930 the game of volleyball was more a recreational
sport with only few international competitions on it. Despite the fact
the rules of volleyball were different all over the world, the sport
started to become a more and more competitive as its nature.
Olympic
Games:
International volleyball rules were standardized in 1964 when indoor
volleyball became an official Olympic sport in Tokyo.
Beach
Volleyball in the History of Volleyball - From Level Ground to Soft Sand
When volleyball was created it was not intended for the game to be
confined to just the indoors. This sport was made to be
played beneath the open sky as well. 
Beach
Volleyball:
There are reports of men
playing volleyball on the beach in Hawaii as early as 1915.
But the history of beach volleyball really began and gained momentum in
Santa Monica, CA in the 1920's. It was then and there that
the first volleyball courts were put up on the beach and families came
to play.
Around
the World by American Soldiers :
As with the indoor volleyball, American soldiers were the ones who took
the Beach Volleyball around the world.  During World War II many
naval
bases had beach volleyball courts and the game was spread around the
world.
Competitive
Beach Volleyball:
The first two men Beach Volleyball tournament was held in Santa Monica,
California in 1948.
In 1965 the CBVA, California Beach Volleyball Association was founded.
In 1986 WPVA, Women’s Professional Volleyball Association took the
first steps to manage women’s professional Beach Volleyball events in
USA.
Beach
Volleyball in Olympic Games:
Those recreational and more competitive tournaments on California sands
set up the stage for this dynamic sport, which later on through wider
international expansion gained the Olympic status in 1996 Atlanta
Olympic Games.
In 2001 IOC gave Beach Volleyball the permanent Olympic status.
Early Beach Volleyball - In Hawaii in 1920's
Conclusion
for History of Volleyball
Throughout the years volleyball has been played both indoors and
outdoors - recreationally and competitively. It is a dynamic game with
a rich history that includes interesting stories about rules changes
and the growth all over the world.
To read more details about history of volleyball or beach volleyball,
check the related
pages section.
Related Pages for the History of
Volleyball
When
Was Volleyball Invented
The early years of volleyball 1895-1930. When was volleyball
invented? Where? How?
Volleyball
History and
Rules - From Recreation
into a Competitive Sport
In
the early years volleyball was recreation, in this era 1930-50 it is
becoming more competitive. History of volleyball
rules
changes.
History
Behind Volleyball
- Championships World Wide
History behind volleyball 1950-80. More rules changes. Expansion world
wide.
Beach
Volleyball History
Read about important milesstones in the history of beach volleyball.
Beach
Volleyball Invented -1920's
- 50's
Read about beginnings of beach volleyball in 1920's - 50's.
Sand
Volleyball -
1950's
- 1994
Commercial tournaments. Becoming an Olympic Sport
History
of Beach Volleyball - Becoming an Olympic Sport
Interesting events in 1990's and 2000's.
History
of Volleyball to www.VolleyballAdvisors.com
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