The History of Volleyball
Volleyball is one of the most widely played and loved sports worldwide. From its humble
beginnings as a simple indoor game to becoming an Olympic sport, volleyball has evolved
significantly over time. This article explores its origins, development, expansion, and
introduction to the Philippines, one of the earliest countries to adopt and modify the game.
Origins of Volleyball (1895)
Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical education instructor at the
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. Morgan wanted to
create a sport that was less physically intense than basketball but still engaging.
Originally, he called the game "Mintonette," inspired by badminton. Morgan used a tennis net
but raised it to 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters). The goal was to volley the ball over the net without
letting it touch the ground.
In 1896, at a YMCA conference, Dr. Alfred T. Halstead suggested renaming the sport "volleyball"
because of the way the ball was volleyed back and forth.
Early Growth and Rule Developments (1900–1920s)
As volleyball spread across YMCA clubs in the United States, official rules were introduced:
1900: The first official volleyball was created.
1916: The Philippines introduced the spike, a game-changing offensive move.
1917: The scoring system changed from 21 points to 15 points per set.
1919: The United States Army spread volleyball worldwide after World War I.
1920: The three-touch rule was introduced.
1922: The first national championship took place in Brooklyn, New York, with 27 teams
competing.
The sport quickly gained popularity in Canada, Japan, China, and the Philippines, thanks to the
YMCA.
Volleyball in the Philippines (1910s–1920s)
The Philippines played a crucial role in modifying and popularizing volleyball. The sport was
introduced by American YMCA workers and soldiers in 1910.
One of the biggest contributions of Filipino players was the introduction of the spike and the
set-pass, which changed the game from a simple volleying contest to a more dynamic and
offensive sport.
Before this, players simply tried to keep the ball in the air.
Filipinos began hitting the ball forcefully downward (spike), which made it harder to defend.
This led to the creation of the "three-hit rule", where teams were allowed only three contacts
before sending the ball over the net.
These modifications spread worldwide, making the game faster and more exciting.
Formation of Volleyball Organizations (1928–1947)
As the sport grew, formal organizations were established:
1928: The United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) was formed to regulate the game.
1947: The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was established in Paris, France as
the global governing body.
1949: The first Men's Volleyball World Championship was held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Olympic Recognition and Global Expansion (1950s–1980s)
The 1950s and 1960s were crucial for volleyball’s international growth:
1952: The first Women’s Volleyball World Championship took place in Moscow, Soviet Union.
1964: Volleyball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games for both men and women.
1974: The first World Championships were televised, increasing global interest.
1983: The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was founded in the USA, focusing on
professional beach volleyball.
The Rise of Beach Volleyball (1990s–2000s)
Beach volleyball, a variation of indoor volleyball, gained popularity in the United States, Brazil,
and Australia.
1996: Beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport at the Atlanta Games.
2001: The Rally Point System was introduced, making every rally count as a point.
2004: Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings became Olympic legends in women's beach
volleyball.
Conclusion
From a YMCA gym in Massachusetts to beaches and arenas worldwide, volleyball has grown
into a global phenomenon. The Philippines played a key role in shaping the sport by introducing
spiking and setting, revolutionizing how volleyball is played. Today, volleyball continues to thrive
in professional leagues, the Olympics, and communities around the world.
