Volleyball is a competitive game played by men and women. Children as young as 7 years old can begin playing this sport as well as adults. League volleyball has increased in popularity since the 1990s and college volleyball is watched by many.

Being tall is a plus in volleyball. That's a given. While many volleyball players are tall, the minimum height is 5 feet tall, so if you meet the height and sometimes jumping requirements in your division and tier, you may find yourself playing college volleyball.

Jogging on a treadmill or taking a step aerobics class can help you get in shape, but don't dismiss the health benefits of team sports. Sports such a volleyball not only allow you to interact with other fitness-minded individuals, but can create a steady burn to help you build a fitter body.

Volleyball players have to react quickly and move seamlessly to the area on the court that the ball is heading. This takes anticipation, agility and quick feet. Make sure your players all have a proper volleyball stance and then work on footwork for specific skills.

Kirsten Higareda, a high school libero interviewed in the Sept. 20, 2007 edition of "The Washington Post," knows what it's like to try and explain the libero position to volleyball spectators.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan as a less-strenuous alternative to basketball for middle-aged men. The sport began as a loose conglomeration of several other sports, incorporating equipment and ideas from badminton, tennis and basketball.

Volleyball played at the junior high school level is similar to the game played at the high school, college, professional and Olympic levels. However, there are some differences in the number of games that young players at this level may play in a given season or in a week during the season.

In volleyball, players work together to return the ball over the net in three hits or fewer, without letting the ball touch the ground. The USA Volleyball and International Federation of Volleyball rule books provide the standard rules for competitive men’s and women’s volleyball in the United States.

The spike is one of the most powerful moves in all of volleyball. When timed correctly, it can overpower a team’s defensive line and put points on the board in a heartbeat.

The overhand serve in volleyball represents a fundamental change from the casual to the competitive game. All serve types used in organized athletics stem from the overhand serve.

Repetitive volleyball drills can help the players on your team improve their skills and develop good habits. Avoid boring your team by choosing fun drills that will keep the players engaged. Alternate among drills that emphasize different skills, such as serving, digging and setting.

As in most sporting competitions, volleyball employs referees in order to control the flow of the game and enforce the rules. The volleyball referee team includes the first referee, the second referee, the scorer and two line judges.