Duration of the game A volleyball match usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes (about 20 minutes per game). The time is irrelevant; play continues until one team has won three games in a row. During a game, the referee stops the action and calls out flags to indicate points for and against each team. There are five flags: two for each team. When a flag is raised, the referees wait until the players hit the ball before calling out the scores. At the beginning of each period, the teams exchange sides of the court where the game will take place. This means that if you are playing on Court 1, then after one period of play the opponents will be on Court 2 and so on. The switch-over happens at the center line of the court. Once the teams have switched sides, they cannot change back unless their own side has an advantage. The first team to win three games in a row wins the match. In this game, there are only two points awarded for a winning volley: one for each team. These points can only be scored when your opponent fails to return the ball within the time limit.