Law 6: To Score a Point, Win a Set and the Match

A point comes from landing the ball on the opponents' court, from their fault, or from a penalty given to them.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.1 · recall

With successive faults, only the first is counted.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.2.1 · applied

Simultaneous faults by opponents are a double fault, and the rally is played again.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.2.2 · applied

A rally runs from the server's hit until the ball is out of play.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3 · recall

A serving team that wins the rally scores a point and keeps the service.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3.1 · recall

A completed rally is one that ends in a point, including the award of a penalty and the loss of service for a late service hit.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3 · recall

Faults are judged by the referees, who apply their consequences under the rules.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.2 · recall

The receiving team that wins a rally scores a point and must serve next.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3.2 · applied

The rally starts at the service hit and ends when the ball is out of play; a completed rally gives a point.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3 · recall

When both sides err together nobody wins the point: it is called and the same rally is played again.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.2.2 · applied

A set goes to the team that first reaches 25 points while at least two points ahead.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.2 · recall

From 24-24 play continues until a two-point lead: 26-24, 27-25 and so on.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.2 · applied

The match goes to the first team to win three sets.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.3.1 · recall

The deciding set is shorter: first to 15 with a two-point margin.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.3.2 · recall

Refusal means default: the match is lost 0-3 and each set 0-25.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.4.1 · recall

Not appearing on time without good reason is treated like refusing to play.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.4.2 · applied

The opponents receive the points, or points and sets, needed to win, and the incomplete team keeps what it had.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.4.3 · applied

26-24 is past 25 with a two-point lead; 25-24 and 15-14 lack the lead, and 24-22 has not reached 25.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.2, 6.3.2 · applied

Delay sanctions come first; if the team still does not play, it is a refusal and the match is forfeited.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.4.1, 16; Casebook 2024 4.38 · applied

28, 35, 48 and 58 points were played in these sets.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.2, 6.3.2 · applied