Is a foot on the line at the serve a fault?

Yes. You may not touch the end line or the court before you've struck the serve.

Is touching the net a fault?

Touching the net while playing the ball is a fault. Incidental contact outside the action is usually allowed.

May the libero serve?

Under the official FIVB rules, no. Some national and recreational competitions allow the libero to serve in one rotation — check your competition.

Does a block count as one of the three touches?

No. A block doesn't count, so your team still has three touches afterwards.

When is a double touch a fault?

Two touches in a row by the same player is a fault — except on the first team touch (the pass/reception).

The ball lands on the line — in or out?

In. A ball touching any part of the line is good.

Catching or carrying the ball?

A held, caught or thrown ball is a fault — it must be a clean contact.

Can you play the ball with your foot?

Yes. Any body part may touch the ball.

May a back-row player attack?

Only from behind the 3-metre line. From in front of it they may not attack a ball above net height.

What is a rotation or overlap fault?

At the moment of the serve the players aren't in the correct rotational order. That costs you the point.

How do you win a set and a match?

A set to 25 with a two-point margin (deciding set to 15); a match is usually best of five.

May you step onto the opponents' side?

A foot may touch the centre line as long as part stays on your side; fully crossing and interfering is a fault.

Tennis rules — the rules explained

The basics

The singles court is 23.77 × 8.23 m (doubles is wider); the net is 0.914 m high in the middle.
Scoring: 15 – 30 – 40 – game; at 40-40 it's deuce and you must win two points in a row.
You win a set with 6 games (by two games); at 6-6 a tiebreak usually follows.
A match is best of 3 (or best of 5) sets.
You get 2 serves; the ball must land diagonally in the service box. Change ends after odd games.

Common questions

The serve

Is an underhand serve allowed?

Yes. You may serve underhand; it's fully legal, just unusual.

The serve clips the net and lands in — now what?

That's a let: the serve is replayed, no penalty. During a rally a ball that hits the net and lands in stays in play.

Can I return the serve before it bounces?

No. The serve must bounce in the box first. In a rally you may volley.

What is a foot fault?

You may not touch the baseline (or its imaginary extension) with your foot before you hit the ball. If you do, it's a foot fault and the serve counts as a fault.

How many serves do you get?

Two. After a faulty first serve you get a second; if that's also a fault, it's a double fault and you lose the point.

The ball and the court

The ball bounced twice — whose point?

Your opponent's. You must return the ball after at most one bounce.

The ball landed on the line — in or out?

In. Any part of the ball touching the line counts as good.

Can I play the ball around the net post?

Yes. The ball may go around the post, even below net height, as long as it lands in the court.

The ball hit me — what happens?

If a ball in play hits you (before it would land out), you lose the point.

Points and conduct

I touched the net while the point was on.

You lose the point. You may not touch the net, the posts or your opponent's court while the ball is in play.

Who serves first in the next set after a tiebreak?

The player who received first in the tiebreak serves the first game of the next set.

When do we change ends?

After every odd game (1, 3, 5 …) and in the tiebreak after every 6 points played.

How many sets is a match?

Usually best of three: first to two sets. Recreationally a shorter format is often played.

Can I distract my opponent?

No. Deliberate distraction (hindrance), such as shouting during the stroke, costs you the point.