Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a YMCA instructor in Holyoke, Massachusetts, as a less physical indoor game than basketball. He called it mintonette. The name volleyball soon replaced it, and the YMCA spread the game worldwide.
Key dates
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Morgan invents mintonette in Holyoke, Massachusetts |
| 1896 | Renamed volleyball after its volleying action |
| 1916 | Set and spike become common in the Philippines |
| 1947 | FIVB founded in Paris |
| 1964 | Indoor volleyball debuts at the Tokyo Olympics |
| 1996 | Beach volleyball joins the Olympics in Atlanta |
| 1999 | Rally scoring adopted internationally; libero introduced in 1998 |
How the game changed
- Early games had no set limit on players.
- The three-touch rule became standard in the early 1900s.
- Rally scoring replaced side-out scoring.
- The libero added a defensive specialist.
- Video challenge systems are now used at top level.
Frequently asked questions
Who invented volleyball?
William G. Morgan, in 1895.
Why was it called mintonette?
It borrowed elements from badminton; the name was changed to volleyball within a year.
When did beach volleyball become an Olympic sport?
In 1996 at the Atlanta Games.
