How the matches are made
Each six-letter code plays one invented match forward rally by rally: the serving team scores and keeps the serve, or the other team scores, rotates and serves (a side-out). Substitutions, time-outs and libero replacements happen in the dead balls between rallies and always follow the rules for that level. The story, the sheet and the answers all come from the same rallies, so they agree.
Levels: Points only is one set with no substitutions or libero. Subs adds substitutions and time-outs. Libero adds a libero on each team (her swaps with back-row players are libero replacements, not substitutions) and one wrong server. Full match is best of three, with a deciding third set to 15 and a court change at 8.
Example: the first rallies
In match SC2RE5 (Points only), Mustangs serve first: put an X through the S on their panel. Falcons receive: an X through the R, and an X in service round box 1 under their position I. Mustangs #20 (position I) serves: tick that player’s box 1. Mustangs win rallies 1 to 3, so slash points 1 to 3 in their points column. Falcons win rally 4: write Mustangs’ exit score, 3, in #20’s box, and slash point 1 for Falcons. They rotate, so #9 (position II) serves rally 5 and you tick box 1 under II. Open this match.
The recording conventions we follow
USA Volleyball scoresheet conventions, with the rule for each
- Line-ups. Write each starting number at the top of its column, I to VI, in service order. Put an X through S for the team serving first, an X through R for the other team, and an X in service round box 1 of its position I. USAV Scoring Instructions S3.3, S3.10
- Serves. Each term of service uses the next service round box of that position. Tick the box the first time the correct server serves. S6.1.1, S6.1.2
- Points. Slash every point in the team’s points column as it is scored, side-out points included. S6.1.3, S6.1.4
- Exit score. When the serving team loses the rally, write its own total in the ticked box. S6.1.4
- Substitutions. Under the player leaving: the entering number on the left, the score on the right with the substituting team first. Slash the next number in the substitutions row. S9.6, S1.5
- Time-outs. Write the score in the next time-out box, team taking it first (12:9). Two per set. S11.1, S1.5; rule 15.1
- Libero serving. The libero may serve in one position per set. Triangle that Roman numeral the first time, and triangle each point scored on her serve. S6.2; USAV 19.3.1.3b
- Wrong server. Point and serve to the opponent. Write the exit score in the box of the player who should have served, with no tick. S7.2; FIVB 7.7.1
- End of set. If the serving team scores the last point, its final exit score goes in the current box; if the receiving team does, in its next free box, with no tick. Circle both final exit scores and cross out unused points with a T-bar: a line under the last point, then down through the rest. S17.1 to S17.4
- Deciding set. Played to 15. The teams change courts when the leading team reaches 8: record the score at the change. Positions stay the same. S19.1.1, S20.4; FIVB 18.2.2
- Libero control sheet. Starting players in column SP. Libero in: write L after the number. Player back: write the number after the L. Never slash for a libero. Substitution: slash the number leaving and write the new one. Triangle the Roman numeral where the libero served. S A5.3 to A5.5
How the official forms differ from our practice layout: the USAV deciding-set sheet moves the team on the left to a third panel at the court change; ours keeps one panel per team and records the score at the change. We skip the captain, officials and roster boxes. Our deciding set changes courts at 8, as FIVB rule 18.2.2 does; under USAV rules teams stay on their side unless the organizer decides otherwise (USAV 18.2). FIVB rules differ in two places: the libero may not serve, and a team has 6 substitutions per set.
The 2025-2027 USAV rules allow 15 substitutions per set (rule 15.6a). The 2025-2027 Scoring Instructions still say 12 in S9.1.1 but 15 in S9.4.1; we follow the rules book.
Questions people ask
How do you keep score on a USA Volleyball scoresheet?
Write each team’s starting numbers in service order. Each time a player starts a term of service, tick the next service round box under that player. Slash every point in the team’s points column. When the serving team loses the rally, write its own total, the exit score, in the ticked box.
What is an exit score?
The serving team’s total points at the moment it loses the serve. It goes in the server’s service round box. The other team’s next point is then one more than that team’s last exit score, which makes mistakes easy to spot.
How many substitutions are allowed in USA Volleyball?
15 per set under the 2025-2027 USAV rules, with unlimited entries as long as each player always comes back in the same position. Events may use the FIVB limit instead: 6 per set, and a starter may leave and return only once. Libero replacements are not substitutions.
Can the libero serve?
Under USAV rules, yes, in one rotation position per set. Triangle that Roman numeral the first time she serves, and triangle each point scored on her serve. Under FIVB rules the libero may not serve.
How do you record a wrong server?
Sound the buzzer once the wrong player has hit the serve. The other team gets a point and the serve. Write the exit score in the service round box of the player who should have served, with no tick.
How do you fill out a libero control sheet?
Write the starting players in column SP. When the libero comes in, write L after that player’s number; when the player comes back, write the number after the L. Never slash for a libero. For a substitution, slash the number leaving and write the new one.
Sources: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028; USA Volleyball Abridged Indoor Rules 2025-2027 and Scoring Instructions 2025-2027. Our sheet is drawn from these conventions, not copied from the official form. Checked 26 October 2026. Working a tournament? The Pool Play Schedule Maker in the list below shows which matches your team works.