Watching a Match

The big numbers are the points of the set being played.

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A small figure beside each team counts the sets won so far.

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One point wins the fourth set 25-20 and the match 3-1.

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The serving team is marked so viewers can follow the serve.

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Coaches, players and fans can see which team still has a time-out to call.

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Each set starts again from 0-0; the set score records who won it.

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A set needs a two-point lead, so 25-24 cannot end it.

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The winner takes three of the four sets.

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Each side takes a turn in front before 27-25 finally closes it.

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The sign says match point: the next rally could end it.

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Set point is a rally that, if won, ends the set for the leading team.

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Winning the rally would win the match, so it is match point.

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At two sets all, a short fifth set to 15 points decides the match.

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Side-out percentage shows how well a team scores when receiving.

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A streak is a run of consecutive points, often on one player's serve.

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The serving team needs one more point to win the set.

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A best-of-five match is over after five sets at most.

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A set builds from the first serve up to set point and the winning rally.

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Four full sets, then the deciding tie-break.

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Rail cameras glide along the court to film rallies for television and streaming.

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Opposites and outside hitters take most of the attacks, so they score most points.

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Every missed serve is a point for the opponents, so errors add up.

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Block points are rallies won directly by a block.

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A team can lose sets heavily and win close ones; only sets won decide the match.

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It counts points a team got from the opponents' mistakes.

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Sets decide the match: three sets to one for the opponents, whatever the total points.

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Digs count attacks kept off the floor, the libero's main job.

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Attacks score most, then the opponents' errors, then blocks, and aces least.

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A 3-2 match went the distance; a 3-0 win was one-sided.

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The most valuable player, the MVP, is named at the end of big tournaments.

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Front-row duties are never the libero's; she defends from behind the attack line.

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The libero is a defender: attacking above the height of the net is not allowed.

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Under the FIVB rules the libero does not serve, block or try to block.

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Libero replacements are separate from substitutions and are not counted with them.

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Coaches usually bring the libero on for a middle blocker when the middle goes to the back row.

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A team may name up to two liberos on its list.

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The libero is usually the team's best passer and digger.

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The libero takes the middle's back-row turns, then the middle returns for the front row.

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Opposites attack most, middles hit quick sets, and liberos do not attack above the net.

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Her different colour marks her out as the libero.

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The head coach works from the bench area, on the team's side of the court.

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Substitutes follow the game and stay ready for the coach's call.

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Keeping warm means a substitute can play well straight away.

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Assistants and statisticians track the match for the head coach.

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The physio looks after the players' bodies before, during and after matches.

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Coaches sketch or show plays on a board or a tablet.

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Support from the bench keeps the players on court going.

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A warm player, a decision, the request in the zone and the swap.

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Stop play, treat and check the player, and substitute if needed.

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B is standing in the coach's area with a clipboard while the substitutes sit.

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Each team has two time-outs in every set.

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A time-out lasts 30 seconds.

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Stopping the game can halt the opponents' momentum.

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Thirty seconds of rest and a drink help players reset.

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Keeping a time-out for a tight finish lets the coach steady the team when it matters.

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Players huddle with the coach to hear instructions.

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Both teams may request their time-outs when the ball is out of play.

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A run, a time-out, instructions, then play again.

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A few seconds between rallies, 30 seconds for a time-out, minutes between sets.

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Entertainment fills short time-outs at big events.

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There is no clock, but most matches last between one and two hours.

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A good server or block can bring several points in a row.

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The team that was receiving takes the point and the next serve.

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Big serves and hard attacks often finish rallies in a few touches.

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Dig after dig, with neither side giving up, makes for great rallies.

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Crowds get loudest on the big points.

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The tie-break goes only to 15, and the winner takes the match.

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A comeback from 0-2 needs three sets in a row.

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More sets mean a longer match.

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Celebrating together after the last rally means the match is won.

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Challenges cover clear facts of play: ball in or out, touches, net contacts and the like.

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The coach requests the challenge, or the game captain when there is no coach.

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Showing the replay lets the crowd see why the call stands or changes.

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If the replay proves the call wrong, the decision is reversed.

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Fast play makes some calls very hard; video helps put them right.

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Play pauses until the decision is announced.

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The key frame is the ball's contact with the floor relative to the line.

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Call, request, review, decision.

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A successful challenge changes the call and the point.

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After a challenge request, the replay is shown while the decision is made.

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Most of the noise comes at the end of rallies, when a point is won.

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Unlike tennis, volleyball crowds often cheer, chant and drum during serves.

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Poland hosted, and won, the 2014 men's World Championship; its opening match filled a football stadium.

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Big events are shown live on television and streaming services.

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Objects on the court are dangerous and stop play.

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Beach events in summer, often in city centres or on beaches, draw big crowds.

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Familiar halls and loud home crowds help many teams.

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Ticket, arrival, seat and the warm-up before the first serve.

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From a few parents to a full arena.

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Flags, drums and chants are the crowd's way of backing its team.

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A clear win, 3-0 or 3-1, earns three league points.

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A five-set win earns two points; the loser takes one.

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Taking the match to five sets earns the losers a point.

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A clear defeat earns nothing.

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Ties are usually broken by matches won, then the ratios of sets and points.

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Set ratio compares sets won with sets lost.

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A 3-1 win brings three points, a 3-2 win only two.

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Three, two, one and no points.

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Teams play the league, then the best go into the play-offs and a final.

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Winning the play-off final usually decides the league champion.

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