Yes, you absolutely can kick the ball in volleyball. This is one of the most surprising and frequently misunderstood rules in the sport, but according to the official rulebooks of the major governing bodies, including the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the NCAA, any part of the body can be used to legally contact the ball. As of the current date, December 9, 2025, the rule remains clear: your foot, leg, head, or any other body part is a legal point of contact, provided all other ball-handling rules are observed.

This little-known legality is what allows for some of the most spectacular, jaw-dropping defensive plays you will ever see on the court. While kicking is a legal move, it is almost exclusively reserved for desperate, last-ditch efforts to save a ball that is otherwise destined to hit the floor. It is a high-risk, high-reward maneuver that separates a good defensive player from a legendary one.

The Official Rule: Why The Foot Is A Legal Contact Point

The core of the "can you kick the ball" question lies in the official rule regarding contact with the ball. Unlike sports like soccer, which are defined by *not* using the hands, volleyball rules are defined by the *type* of contact, not the body part used.

FIVB and NCAA Rule 9: Playing the Ball

The global standard, set by the FIVB (the International Volleyball Federation), is straightforward. Rule 9.1.1 states that the ball "may touch any part of the body." This rule is universally adopted across most major leagues and organizations, including the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in the United States and USA Volleyball.

• The Core Principle: The ball can be legally contacted by the foot, ankle, shin, knee, head, or any other body part.
• The Key Restriction: The contact must be a clean hit. The ball cannot be caught, thrown, or held. This is the "lift" or "carry" fault. The contact must be instantaneous, meaning the ball must rebound immediately off the body part.
• Double Contact: A player may not hit the ball twice in succession. This rule still applies to a kick. If the ball hits a player's foot and then immediately hits their knee, it could be called a double contact fault, though referees are often lenient on defensive saves.
• Exception: Serving: You are not allowed to kick the ball to initiate the serve. The serve must be hit with the hand or arm.

The confusion often stems from the fact that players are almost always taught to use their forearms (for a bump/pass) or hands (for a set/spike). The foot is a weapon of last resort, primarily because of the lack of precision it offers compared to a hand or forearm pass.

Tactical Necessity: When a Kick Save Becomes a Heroic Play

The kick save, or "foot save," is a move born out of desperation. It is not a technique taught for regular play, but rather an acrobatic, instinctive reaction when a player has run out of options.

The Libero’s Secret Weapon

The Libero, the defensive specialist on the court, is the player most often associated with the spectacular kick save. Their role is to keep the ball alive, and they are frequently diving, sprawling, and chasing down hard-driven spikes or errant deflections. When a ball is hit low and wide, and the Libero is already on the floor, extending a foot is often the only way to prevent the point from being lost. This maneuver is a testament to the player's quick reflexes and total commitment to defense.

Indoor vs. Beach Volleyball Kicking

The rule is the same for both disciplines, but the execution and frequency differ slightly:

• Indoor Volleyball: Kick saves are typically seen when a ball is deflected by a block or a spike is hit at an extreme angle, forcing a player to slide or dive far off the court.
• Beach Volleyball: While legal, the kick save is less common in beach volleyball. The deep sand makes it harder to generate the explosive power and precise positioning needed for a controlled kick. However, the rule is still in place and has been used successfully, especially in competitive rallies.

Why Coaches Tell You Not to Kick the Ball (Despite It Being Legal)

While the rulebook says "yes," most coaches will emphatically tell a developing player "no." This is not because of a rule violation, but for crucial tactical and technical reasons.

1. Lack of Control and Accuracy

A foot or shoe is a much smaller and harder surface than a forearm, making the angle of deflection extremely difficult to control. A kick save is essentially a prayer—it gets the ball up, but rarely to a precise location where a teammate can easily set up the next attack. In a sport where the goal is to execute a perfect three-hit sequence (pass, set, attack), a wild kick often disrupts the entire offensive system.

2. Risk of Faults

A kick, especially a desperate one, increases the risk of committing a fault. The two most common faults are the "double contact" (the ball momentarily hitting the foot and then the leg) or the "lift/carry" (the ball resting momentarily on the foot or shoe). While the former is often forgiven on a defensive save, the latter is a clear violation.

3. Technical Deterioration

Coaches worry that relying on the foot will lead to players neglecting fundamental defensive skills. If a player knows they can just stick a foot out, they may stop focusing on proper positioning, diving technique, and using their platform (forearms), which are the true foundations of elite defense.

Entities and Key Concepts in Volleyball Rules

To fully understand the context of the kick rule, it helps to be familiar with these related entities and technical concepts:

• Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB): The international governing body that sets the global rules for the sport.
• USA Volleyball (USAV): The national governing body in the US that adopts and implements FIVB rules.
• NCAA: The organization governing collegiate sports in the US, which also follows the "any body part" rule.
• Libero: The defensive specialist player, recognizable by a different-colored jersey, who is the most likely to attempt a foot save.
• Dig: A defensive pass used to save a hard-driven ball, typically performed with the forearms (the platform).
• Carry/Lift: An illegal contact where the ball is momentarily held or allowed to rest on the body, which is a fault.
• Double Contact: An illegal contact where a player touches the ball twice in succession.
• The Platform: The flattened surface created by a player's forearms, used for passing and digging.
• Rally Scoring: The current scoring system where a point is awarded on every serve.
• Defensive Specialist (DS): A player substituted in for the sole purpose of playing back-row defense.
• Hard-Driven Ball: A spiked ball hit with high velocity and force.
• Back-Row Attack: An attack hit by a back-row player from behind the 3-meter line.
• Antennae: The vertical rods on the net that define the out-of-bounds area above the net.
• Rotation: The clockwise movement of players after a side-out.
• Set: The second contact, usually an overhead pass with the hands, to prepare for an attack.

Famous Foot Saves and Acrobatic Moments

The "kick save" has become a viral phenomenon in the age of social media, with highlight reels showcasing incredible defensive efforts. These plays are often referred to as "acrobatic foot saves" or "bicycle kick saves" due to the dynamic, soccer-like motion required to execute them.

One of the most memorable types of foot saves involves the player being completely horizontal or upside down, using a quick flick of the foot or heel to pop the ball back into play. These moments are rarely clean passes—the ball usually flies high and deep—but they achieve the only goal that matters: keeping the rally alive. These incredible saves are a testament to the athleticism and commitment of professional volleyball players, proving that sometimes, the most unconventional move is the only one that can save the point.

In conclusion, the next time you see a player kick the volleyball, you are not witnessing a fault. You are witnessing a perfectly legal, albeit highly risky, act of desperation and athleticism, enabled by a little-known rule that allows players to use any part of their body to keep the ball off the floor.