Scoring in Olympic volleyball (indoor and "beach")?

Question

I haven't really watched volleyball for many years; in the past, a team only scored a point when it had the serve. Otherwise, it was just a "side out". Now I see in the Olympics that points are scored by either side, regardless of which team is serving. When did this change? Is it just for the Olympics?

Answer 1

its called rally scoring...... and yes most squads have changed to it..... it goes much quicker but at times is much harder

Answer 2

The FIVB international governing body for volleyball actually switched from "side out" scoring in 1999.  USAV switched right after that.  Then the NCAA switched in 2001 and the high schools in 2003 or 2004.  It is now called rally scoring since a point is scored on every rally unless there is a playover.  

Answer 3

Yes it has changed for everything. I think it changed for indoor volleyball before the 2004 olympics and changed for beach volleyball for this olympics

Answer 4

I noticed this too. I can't say whether it's a sport wide change but maybe they've changed it for the Olympics to fit all the games needed for a complete competition into the 2wk Olympic time frame. Don't know for sure, just guessing.