Firstly, what is the Prime Volleyball League ?
A franchise-based league for the game of volleyball, on the lines of the very successful Pro Kabaddi League. PVL stakeholders include promoter Baseline Ventures and the seven teams involved. According to Joy Bhattacharya, CEO, PVL, this ensures transparency and accountability.
Who are those seven teams ?
Ahmedabad Defenders, Bengaluru Torpedoes, Calicut Heroes, Chennai Blitz, Hyderabad Black Hawks, Kochi Blue Spikers and Kolkata Thunderbolts. Each team has a 14-player strong team, with two slots for overseas players.
How long has it been? where are they playing it ?
PVL is starting from Saturday, 5th February. The league stage will run till February 21 and will be followed by a playoff for the top four. The final will take place on February 27. It is taking place at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
The COVID-19 restrictions, of course, necessitate a closed-door event, but the matches will be broadcast live on Sony Network (and SonyLIV). There will be one match every day from 7 pm.
Should we keep an eye on someone ?
The league has an interesting mix of experienced foreigners and exciting Indian talent.
Olympic (and World Cup) gold medalist David Lee, middle blocker of the United States, will be drawn to the Calicut Heroes with two of India's best – Jerome Vinith (capable of playing in attack and defence), and Ajitlal Chandran (hitter).
Vineet was one of the three Indians who made the highest bid in the PVL auction, earning Rs. 15 lakhs, along with middle blockers Ashwal Rai (Kolkata Thunderbirds) and Kartik Ashok (Kochi Blue Spikers). Look at the Cuban (Hyderabad Blackhawks) hitter Henry Bell and teammate, Amit Gulia. Muthusamy (Ahmedabad Defenders) is comfortably the most expensive setter in the league and would like to show everyone that he is worth Rs. 10 lakhs.
Kerala volleyball great Tom Joseph (Retd) has recommended that we keep an eye on middle blocker Akhin GS (Chennai Blitz), while his fellow Venezuelan (hitter) Fernando David Gonzalez may also catch some eyes.
Didn't we have a franchise based volleyball league before ?
Oh yes. Pro Volleyball League in 2019. It had six of the seven franchises that make up the current league, and moved to packed houses in Kozhikode and Chennai. It was won by Chennai Spartans.
It was called off after the Volleyball Federation of India pulled the plug on it midway through the contract. The matter went to the Madras High Court, which ruled in favor of Baseline and asked the VFIs to pay up to Rs. 6 crore damages to the promoter.
When the Prime Volleyball League was announced, the VFI announced that they would have the league up and running before the PVL. There has been no movement since then.
Volleyball 101
What are the rules ?
The basic rules are quite simple
The volleyball court is divided into two sides by a net that is 7 feet, 11 and 1/2 inches (2.43 m) off the ground (this will give you an idea of how tall these athletes are and how powerful their jumps are). You earn points each time the ball hits the opponent's court or bounces off the opponent's boundary. Just like in badminton (which incidentally was the inspiration behind the game), you win a point, you win a chance to serve.
Each team may make three touches (not including any blocks on the net) of the ball before it crosses the net. You can use any part of your body to keep the ball in play, as long as you don't catch, hold, or throw it. A player may not touch the ball twice in a row (no blocks on the net included), and no one is allowed to touch the net while the ball is in play.
Matches are usually won by best-of-five sets. The first four sets are up to 25 points (with a difference of at least two points). The fifth and final set is up to 15. The first team to win three sets wins the match.
How many players are there in a team ?
Six.
You have the outside hitter - the left-sided attacker who needs to jump high, and break the spike, are the lead attackers who score the most points.
The middle blocker - who is usually the tallest person in the team and protects the front line in case of being blocked over the net.
Opposite Hitter - Right-sided attackers who have the same skills as outside hitters, but need to share defensive responsibilities with their attackers.
Setter - The team's playmaker, who directs the flow and speed of attacks as he delicately sets spikes for hitters.
Libero - who is in a different colored jersey to the rest, is a purely defensive player who can only play on the backcourt. Defensive Specialist - As the name suggests, the team's main receiver and passer.
Note - the front half of the court (the first 10 feet near the net) is where the attacking happens, the backcourt is used for defense. You cannot block or attack serves from the frontcourt.