However, neither of the Australian teams will be the lowest-ranked in the Olympic competition. In the men s draw the 23rd ranked Egyptians have qualified as African champions and in the women s, the Kenyans are ranked two places behind Australia. Despite this, both Australian teams will consider it a major success if they progress beyond the round robin-stages. Six players on each team aim to hit the ball over the net with their hands, although it is permissible for any part of the body to be used to hit the ball. A team scores a point if it hits the ball and it lands in the opposition s court.
Players begin each rally in set positions, three in the front court and three at the back.
A team may hit the ball three times to return it, but no player can hit the ball twice in a row including if it hits one part of their body and then rebounds to another part. Rallies are also lost by hitting the ball out of play or into the net, or if a player touches the net with any part of his or her body. Each time a team wins a point, its six players rotate positions in a clockwise direction. The next rally then begins with a serve by the player who has moved into the team s back right-hand position. Serves can be made from anywhere behind the end line and may be struck under or overarm with any part of the hand, fist or arm.