GROUND.—For large teams this game should be played on a ground measuring fifty feet long and twenty-five feet wide. For smaller teams a smaller ground will answer.
A tennis net, or net two feet wide, preferably the latter, is stretched across the center of the ground, from side to side, extending one or two feet beyond the boundaries on either side. The upper edge should be from six feet six inches to seven feet six inches above the ground.
Volley Ball
PLAYERS.—Any number of players up to thirty may play. The players are evenly divided into two parties, which scatter over their respective courts without special arrangement. There is a captain for each side. An umpire is desirable.
OBJECT OF THE GAME.—The object of the game for each party is to keep the ball in lively play toward its opponents' court, as each party scores only on its opponents' failures to return the ball or keep it in the air.
The ball is put in play by being served by the party which is to score. The service of the ball, and with it the privilege of scoring, pass to the opponents according to the rules described hereinafter.
START; RULES FOR SERVICE.—The ball is put in play by being served by a member of one side, who should stand at the rear of his court with one foot on the rear boundary line and the other behind the line. From this position the ball is tossed upward lightly from one hand and batted with the palm of the other hand toward or into the opponents' court.
Each server has two trials in which to send the ball into the opponents' court. The service being over a long course with a comparatively heavy ball, the following privileges are allowed: a served ball may be assisted on its course by any two other players on the server's side; no player so assisting the ball on the serve may strike it more than twice in succession, and the server under such circumstances may not strike it more than once; but should the ball then fail to land in the opponents' court, the server loses his second serve.