History of Volleyball
Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, and was first called "Mintonette." The international federation (FIVB) was founded in 1947, indoor volleyball joined the Olympics in 1964, and beach volleyball followed in 1996.
- Invented
- 1895, by William G. Morgan
- Original name
- Mintonette
- FIVB founded
- 1947
- Olympic debut
- 1964 indoor · 1996 beach
Timeline at a glance
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1895 | William G. Morgan invents "Mintonette" in Holyoke, Massachusetts |
| 1896 | The game is renamed "volley ball" |
| 1947 | The FIVB is founded |
| 1949 | First men's World Championship (Prague) |
| 1952 | First women's World Championship |
| 1964 | Indoor volleyball's Olympic debut, men's and women's (Tokyo) |
| 1996 | Beach volleyball joins the Olympics (Atlanta) |
| 1998 | The FIVB introduces the libero |
1895: Mintonette
Morgan, a YMCA physical director in Holyoke, created the game as a less strenuous alternative to basketball (itself invented a few years earlier, in 1891, in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts). Borrowing ideas from basketball, baseball, tennis and handball, he designed a game in which two teams volley a ball back and forth over a net — and named it Mintonette.
A new name: volleyball
In 1896, at a demonstration game in Springfield, Massachusetts, professor Alfred T. Halstead remarked that the players were "volleying" the ball, and the game was renamed "volley ball" — later written as the single word volleyball. Through the YMCA network, the sport spread quickly across the United States and then internationally.
1947: the FIVB
As volleyball grew worldwide, national associations came together to found the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) in 1947. The FIVB standardized the rules and organized international competition, including the first men's World Championship in 1949 (Prague) and the first women's in 1952. Today the FIVB oversees five continental confederations and the major world competitions — see volleyball leagues & organizations.
Deep dive: how the game evolved
From recreation to a global sport
What began as a gentle YMCA pastime is now played around the world, indoors, on sand and on grass. Standardized rules, international federations and Olympic status turned volleyball into a fast, specialized game. Two big rule changes shaped the modern game: the libero, a back-row defensive specialist introduced by the FIVB in 1998, and rally scoring (a point on every rally, sets to 25), which replaced side-out scoring. The formations and rotations used today are a world away from the simple back-and-forth of 1895.
Two games, one sport
The indoor six-a-side game and the two-a-side beach game both trace back to Morgan's invention but evolved distinct rules and tactics, each earning its own place on the Olympic program.
The rules today
Modern volleyball is governed by the FIVB's Official Volleyball Rules, which set everything from scoring to court dimensions. For the current game, start with the rules for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
Who invented volleyball and when?
Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical director in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. He created it as a less strenuous alternative to basketball.
What was volleyball originally called?
Volleyball was originally called "Mintonette." It was renamed "volley ball" in 1896 after professor Alfred T. Halstead noted that players were volleying the ball, and the name later became the single word volleyball.
When did volleyball become an Olympic sport?
Indoor volleyball made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Tokyo Games, for both men and women. Beach volleyball was added to the Olympic program at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
When was the libero introduced?
The FIVB introduced the libero, a back-row defensive specialist in a different-colored jersey, in 1998.