How scoring in volleyball works
Posted: 1/16/24
Last updated: 5/26/24
Written by: Thalia A. Urena
How scoring in volleyball works
How scoring in volleyball works can be confusing for new players and coaches, but once you get your first match down it can be simpler to pick up!
In this blog post, we’ll be focusing on how typical high school varsity and collegiate teams score their matches which we see as a best of 5 match. We will also quickly touch upon what you would typically see in junior varsity (JV) teams, which is a best of 3 match.
So, we will go over:
How individual sets are won (25 or more points)
What is a “set” (not the setters position setting… game sets!)
Best of 5 varsity/collegiate/professional matches
Set 5 in a best of 5 match (what is the difference?)
Best of 3 JV matches
There’s a lot to learn, so let’s get started with the general basics of scoring in volleyball!
Set’s to 25 (and sometimes more) points
To fully understand how scoring in volleyball works, we have to start with the basics of how a set is scored. Whether you’re playing matches that are best of 2, 3, etc this fact will stay consistent:
Each set in volleyball is 25 points total. Once a team reaches 25 points in a set, they have won that particular set.
However, another important note is that each set has to be won by at least a 2-point differential once a team reaches 25 points.
An example of this could look like two teams have been going back to back in points during a set. The score is 24 them, 25 you. Many people would think “They have 25 points, they win this set!” and while this is typically true, each set has to be won by 2 points. Since there is only one point difference, the teams must continue to play until a team has won by 2 points.
During one of my coaching seasons I had my varsity team go up to 31 points, and our opposing team 29 points in a heated first-set match! So, you can see why this is important to note so you can stay mentally ready if a set needs to be longer than expected.
What is a “set”/how does it work?
It's important to know what a “set” is. The term “set” can have multiple meanings in volleyball, but for this topic, a “set” is what we use to differentiate in a volleyball match. I like to describe this as how basketball separates their game into four quarters. Think of the different “sets” as a similar concept to basketball’s quarters.
An example of this is “set 1” which is our first game played to 25 points, and then getting our lineups ready for “set 2” without a continuous game. This repeats when we transition to each new set in our game of volleyball. Of course, there's a difference between the quarters in basketball, and the sets in volleyball but this is the closest comparison I could think of.
Best of 5 matches (Varsity):
Now that we understand how each set is scored, let's move into how winning an entire match is done. In a varsity match, you will most likely be playing a best of 5 match. This means that the team who wins the entire match will have 3 total sets won.
If it helps to associate in understanding this, think about when you’re playing rock paper scissors with your friends. You typically ask the question, “One time, or best out of 3?” which is a similar ideology when we play volleyball matches.
Even if a team had 1, or 2 sets won they would not win the overall match (in a best of 5) where the winning team has 3 set wins.
This creates more “fairness” as you can see, since there are multiple opportunities to win a match.
As we learned earlier each set is won by 25 (or more) points, and a team would need to do this 3 times in 3 separate sets to win the overall (best of 5) match.
It’s important to note that if teams are going back to back in set wins and it gets to a stale-mate point where the match is 2-2, this is where the 5th set comes into play.
Set 5 in “best of 5” matches, and why it’s different than sets 1-4:
This is where things could get confusing, but bear with me while I throw out these numbers! If your team is in a match, and it’s been a back-to-back rally for set wins you might find your team playing a 5th deciding set.
If your team has 2 set wins, and the opposing team also has 2 set wins this is where the 5th set will come into play since a team must win 3 sets to grab that overall match win (in a best of 5 match).
At the start of a 5th set, you will typically stay on the side you ended the 4th set on. We do this because we’re waiting for the refs to call a captain for a coin toss to see if we are switching court sides, and which team is serving first for the 5th set.
The difference between the 5th set from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th is that the 5th set is typically played until 15 points, and not 25 points.
This creates a fast-paced, high-intensity final set that will determine the overall winner of the match. With 10 fewer points to buffer any mistakes from your team, it's vital to stay mentally and physically strong during a 5th set. The win by 2 points is still valid in the 5th set, so keep this in mind as well.
As a coach, I’ve found myself in many deciding 5th sets, and the intensity can be overbearing! Just remember to stay calm, and note that you already won 2 sets against this opposing team so an overall win is very doable. Your team may be exhausted from the first four sets, but be ready to give it your all during a 5th deciding set!
Best of 3 matches (Junior varsity/JV)
This paragraph will be much shorter since we went over all the technicalities of scoring in the best of 5 match description.
Please read those paragraphs before diving into this one as you’ll miss the main chunk of important info.
Everything is applied to a best of 3 JV match, like a best of 5 varsity match. The main differences are that you can play up to 3 total sets, instead of 5. Your goal is to win 2 total sets to grab that overall match win in a JV best of 3 matchup.
This difference (from the best of 5) is to create a quicker, but also beginner-friendly game atmosphere.
If a JV team finds themselves with one set win, and their opposing team also has one set win they will go into the deciding 3rd set, which has the same process as a deciding 5th set in varsity.
The 3rd set typically goes until 15 points (like a 5th set in varsity), and the winner of that 3rd set will grab that overall match win. Everything is the same as a best of 5, just much shorter in length and beginner-friendly!
In conclusion…
If you find scoring in volleyball confusing, don’t be worried! Volleyball has so many technicalities it can seem overwhelming, but the more matches you have under your belt the easier it will come to you and your team. If you find scoring in volleyball a breeze, that just puts you one step closer to understanding such an amazing sport.
Always remember it’s okay to ask questions, even as a coach! If you’re unsure of something during a match the referees are there for more than just making line calls.
Use your voice, and be confident when you ask questions. We’re all humans, and asking questions just shows we are willing to learn more, and aren't afraid of looking “imperfect” by not knowing things already.
You got this!
We hope to see you in a future blog post!
-Coach T