Volleyball is one of the most popular team sports in the world, and here in Israel it's played both in indoor halls and on the beaches along the coast. It combines physical fitness, jumping, teamwork and a social atmosphere, and it suits every age and skill level. In this guide you'll find everything you need to get started: what volleyball is, what gear you need, the basic rules, beginner tips, and how to find a team and games.
So what exactly is volleyball?
Volleyball is played between two teams (6 players per side indoors, or 2 per side in beach volleyball) over a high net. Each team is allowed up to three touches to return the ball to the other side. It's a team sport that's dynamic and social, combining coordination between players, jumping and quick reactions.
Why you should play volleyball
- A team and social sport: you play together, have fun together and build a team.
- Indoors or on the beach: you can play in any weather, and on the sand in summer too.
- Full-body workout and jumping: it combines strength, agility, jumping and coordination.
- A fun vibe: a fast, energetic game that's easy to fall in love with.
The gear you need to get started
Volleyball
A standard volleyball. For beginners there are softer balls that make passing and learning easier.
Knee pads
Knee pads protect your knees when you dive and fall to the floor, and let you play with confidence.
Indoor shoes (for the hall) or bare feet (beach)
Indoors, court shoes with good grip and support for jumping are recommended. In beach volleyball you play barefoot on the sand.
The basic rules of volleyball (in brief)
- Rally scoring: every rally wins a point, a set goes to 25 (by a margin of 2), and the match is best of 5 sets.
- Three touches: each side is allowed up to three touches to return the ball over the net.
- No catching: you may not catch or hold the ball; it has to stay in motion.
- Rotation: after winning the serve, the team rotates and shifts positions clockwise.
That's the basics, and you learn all the finer points best while you play.
5 tips for beginners
- Accurate passing: practice a clean, precise underhand pass (bump) and overhand pass (set).
- Communication and calling: talk to your team and call "Mine!" so you don't collide over the ball.
- Footwork: move and get under the ball before you pass it, instead of reaching out from a distance.
- Warm up your shoulders: warm up your shoulders before serving and spiking to prevent injuries.
- Play with a team at your level: a balanced game = faster improvement, less frustration and real fun.
How to find a volleyball team and games in Israel
In Israel volleyball is played in sports halls, in community centers and on the beaches along the coast. The real challenge is usually not the venue, but finding a team and players at your level, at a time that works for you.
That's exactly why we built PlayRocket: an app that matches you with players by skill level and location, shows open games you can join, and helps you coordinate everything in one place — no more five WhatsApp groups and endless back-and-forth. And it's not just for volleyball: it covers Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Badminton, Beach Tennis, Squash and Table Tennis too.
Ready to start playing volleyball?
Join the PlayRocket waitlist and be among the first to find a team and games in your area.
Join the waitlist →Frequently asked questions about volleyball
Is volleyball hard to learn?
The basics (passing, serving) are quick to pick up; team coordination and advanced play take practice.
What's the difference between indoor volleyball and beach volleyball?
Indoor has 6 players on a hard court; on the beach there are 2 players on sand and a smaller court.
What gear do I need to get started?
A volleyball, knee pads, and indoor shoes (or bare feet on the sand), plus a net at the right height.
Where do you play volleyball in Israel?
In sports halls and community centers, and on the beaches along the coast (beach volleyball).
How do you find a team and games?
Through a dedicated app like PlayRocket that finds players and open games by skill level and location.
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