You switch after every set (unless it will be the last set of a match, since then the ref will flip a coin to see who gets to choose which side they want).
In college, teams also switch after 8 points if the match goes to 5 sets.
Chat with our AI personalities
Most volleyball games are 2 out of 3 games the first two going to twenty-five and the "tiebreaker game" (third game) goes to fifteen. If a volleyball match goes to a third game at point 8 (whoever scores it first) the teams switch sides on the court.
Switching sides negates any advantage that might be gained from the sun shining in one sides' eyes, any wind, glare, or crowd placement. It eliminates complaining that 'we lost because the sun was in our eyes' type arguments.
The teams switch after every 7 points (Set 1 and 2) and 5 points (Set 3) played. I copied this from the official rules of the game. http://www.volleyball.com/rules.aspx
At the end of the first game the receiver shall become the server and the server, the receiver. Players will switch sides after each odd numbered game, i.e. 1, 3, 5.
After each set, and if it goes to a tie-breaking set, the teams switch halfway through.
During the first two sets, they switch sides when the points total a multiple of 7.
If the match goes to a third set, they switch sides when the points total a multiple of 5.