USA Volleyball Indoor Rule Changes and Clarifications

1. USA Volleyball Indoor Rule Changes and Clarifications 2009

2. Undergarments • 1. Deleted USAV 4.3: "If undergarments, including but not limited to t- shirts, boxer shorts, tights, leotards, body suits, bicycle shorts, sports bras, etc., are worn in such a manner that they are exposed, they will be considered a part of the uniform. In that case, they must be similar and the same color for any team members who wear such a uniform. Socks and sport shoes are not part of the uniform."2. Replaced with USAV 4.3: "If undergarments, including but not limited to t-shirts, boxer shorts, tights, leotards, body suits, bicycle shorts, sports bras, etc., are worn in such a manner that they are exposed, they will be considered a part of the uniform. In that case, they must be similar and the same color for any team members (except the Libero) who wear such a uniform. Socks and sport shoes are not part of the uniform.“ • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThis clarifies the fact that the Libero uniform, which may include any exposed undergarments, need not be similar to, and may be a different, contrasting color from, the regular team uniform.

3. Delete Casts • USAV 4.5.1 (page 18): Delete: Casts.1. Delete USAV 4.5.1: "It is forbidden to wear hats or jewelry. An exception will be made for religious or medical medal- lions and, for adult competition, a flat band ring worn on the finger. If worn, medallions shall be removed from chains and taped or sewn under the uniform. If a ring, other than a flat band, cannot be removed, it shall be taped in such a manner as not to create a safety hazard. Casts, braces, prosthetic limbs or headgear that may cause an injury or give an artificial advantage to the player must not be worn. If a cast, brace, prosthetic limb or headgear is used, padding or covering may be necessary."2. Replaced with USAV 4.5.1: "It is forbidden to wear hats or jewelry. An exception will be made for religious or medical medallions and, for adult competition, a flat band ring worn on the finger. If worn, medallions shall be removed from chains and taped or sewn under the uniform. If a ring, other than a flat band, cannot be removed, it shall be taped in such a manner as not to create a safety hazard. Braces, prosthetic limbs or headgear that may cause an injury or give an artificial advantage to the player must not be worn. If a brace, prosthetic limb or headgear is used, padding or covering may be necessary.“ • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThis change removes the possibility that a player may play while wearing a cast.

4. Coach standing restrictions • Add: USAV 5.2.3.4 (page 21)New USAV 5.2.3.4: "During play, the coach may give these instructions while standing or walking within the free zone in front of his/her team's bench from the extension of the attack line up to the warm-up area, no closer to the court than 1.75 m (5' 10") from the sideline and its extension, without disturbing or delaying the match. The extension of the attack line is drawn to a distance of 1.75 m (5'10") from the sideline.“ • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThere is not presently a distance requirement from the court for coaches while they walk or stand in their free zone during play. This would bring the USAV DCR into sync with what the FIVB is now applying in its competition.

5. Assistant Coach • USAV 5.3.1 (page 22)1. Deleted USAV 5.3.1: "While remaining on the bench, the assistant coach(es) may give instructions to the players on the court.“2. Replaced with USAV 5.3.1: "One assistant coach at a time may leave the bench to give instructions to the players on the court. During play, this assistant coach may give these instructions while standing or walking within the free zone in front of his/her team's bench from the extension of the attack line up to the warm-up area, no closer to the court than 1.75 m (5' 10") from the sideline and its extension, without disturbing or delaying the match. The extension of the attack line is drawn to a distance of 1.75 m (5'10") from the sideline.“ • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThere is not presently a distance requirement from the court for coaches while they walk or stand in their free zone during play. This would bring the USAV DCR into sync with what the FIVB is now applying in its competition.

6. Improper Request to a Delay • USAV 15.6f (page 48), USAV 15.11.3 (page 52) and USAV 16.1 (page 53)1. Deleted USAV 15.6.f: "The sanction for a wrong position entry request is an improper request."2. Deleted USAV 15.11.3: "An improper request includes a player substitution that would result in a wrong position entry. Improper requests remain in force for the match."3. Deleted USAV 16.1: "A delay in substitution results in refusing the request for that substitution. No additional request for substitution from that team may be made until the next interval when the ball is out of play."4. Replaced with USAV 16.1: "A request for an illegal substitution or excess time-out shall result in an improper request. However, if such a request is acknowledged (i.e., whistled), a team delay sanction shall result. Any substitution request that is improper or causes a delay is denied. No additional request for substitution from that team may be made until the next interval when the ball is out of play.“ • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThis more clearly explains that requests for an illegal substitution or excess time out result in a team delay if acknowledged (i.e. whistled) and are improper requests if not acknowledged.

7. Libero Jersey • USAV 19.2a (page 56a)1. Deleted USAV 19.2a: "It is recommended now and required Nov. 1, 2009, that the Libero uniform must be a contrasting color and not include any color from the regular team jersey (excluding the color of the numbers). Color combinations such as purple/black, dark green/black, or navy/maroon are not distinctive enough to comply with the rules.“2. Replaced with USAV 19.2a: "The Libero player's jersey must contrast in color with that of the predominant colors of the jerseys of the other team members. Color combinations such as purple/black, dark green/black, navy/maroon, and white/light yellow are not distinctive enough to comply with the rules.“ • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThe current rule is too restrictive in not allowing a trim color on the jersey the same color as the regular team jersey. The proposed rule allows for some creativity in the jersey design while retaining the intent of the rule, which is to make the Libero uniform distinctive enough to be immediately recognized on the court.

12. Libero Tracker • Add: USAV Rule 26.2.2.1 (page 71)New USAV 26.2.2.1: "In addition to recording the details of the Libero replacements, the assistant scorer records all substitutions." • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThe USAV Libero tracking sheet is different from the FIVB Libero control sheet. Per the USAV Domestic Competition Regulations, the Libero may replace a substitute. It is required that the assistant scorer must track all substitutions. • Add: USAV 26.2.2.4 (page 71)New Rule 26.2.2.4: "It is recommended that someone other than the assistant scorer operate the visual scoreboard." • Narrative Explanation of Change in RegulationThe primary responsibility of the assistant scorer is to track the Libero replacements, as well as all substitutions. If there is a separate person to operate the visual scoreboard, there is more chance that both tasks will be done correctly.

13. Rule Senarios • When the second referee checks the starting lineups on the court for the second set, he notices that player No. 3 is listed as the Team S libero and is also one of the six players entered in the Team S starting lineup. Can the Team S coach choose to have player No. 3 as either the liberoor a non-libero starter? • Ruling: No. Once a player is designated as the libero on the lineup submitted to the scorekeeper, the libero cannot be changed for that game. The Team S libero for the current set will be player No. 3. A substitution must be made for player No. 3 in the starting position where she is listed, just as if a “phantom” number had been entered in the starting lineup. However, this entire problem could have been prevented if the second referee had identified that the same number appeared twice on the lineup sheet before submitting it to the scorekeeper.

14. Player R4 jumps to attempt to block an opponent's attack. After returning to the floor, R4 brushes the bottom of the net. • Ruling: Play should continue with no net fault called. Rule 15.2.1 says “Contact with the net by a player is not a fault unless it is made during the action of playing the ball…”. Referees should use these guidelines for determining when a player is “playing the ball”: For a player who is jumping (blocking, attacking, jump setting), “playing the ball” begins when they leave the floor, and ends when they return to the floor. For a player who is not jumping, “playing the ball” ends when the ball leaves the vicinity and the player is transitioning to the next action. If the referee‘s determine that the player who makes net contact is not playing the ball, then the contact is only a fault if it interferes with play. • Player R3 attacks a ball and lands with the heel of her foot on the center line and the rest of her foot in the opponent‘s court. Player S4 attempts to block the attack, and lands with her foot on top of R3's (partially on/over the center line). Neither player is impeded from making the next play. • Ruling: No fault has been committed. Rule 15.2.4.1 states “Encroachment into the opponent's court with the foot, feet or hand(s) is permitted, provided some part of the encroaching extremity remains in contact with or directly above the center line, and there is no interference with opponents.”

15. While playing the ball, an attacker for Team R contacts (a) the net outside the antenna; (b) the cable that connects the net to the pole; or (c) the net pole or referee stand. • Ruling: Situation (a) is a net fault. The “net” includes the entire length of the net from end to end. Situations (b) and (c) are not net faults. Rule 15.2.1.2 says “A player may touch a post, rope, or any other object outside the total length of the net…”. • Team A starts the set with player No. 12 in center back (position 6). After a few rallies, Team A substitutes No. 6 for No. 12. A few rallies later, the Team A libero comes from the bench and replaces No. 6. Play continues, and when the Team A libero (still on the court for No. 6) rotates to the front row, player No. 12 replaces her (the illegal replacement is not noticed at the time). The score at the time Team A last rotated was 10 to 6 in favor of Team A. Team A serves and wins the next rally (score is 11 - 6). Team A substitutes No. 2 for No. 20, and the second referee authorizes the substitution. The assistant scorekeeper then notifies the second referee of the illegal libero replacement, and states that No. 6 should have replaced the libero instead of No. 12. • Ruling: Rule 10.3.2.3 states: "If the team at fault is serving or has just lost the rally, and the fault is discovered before the opponent's serve, all points scored after the fault during that term of service must be cancelled.” The rule also states that substitutions by either team are cancelled. Therefore, point 11 for Team A is cancelled. In addition, the Team A substitution (No. 2 for No. 20) is cancelled, and No. 20 must return to the court. Team A player No. 6 must replace No. 12 to correct the lineup. Team B rotates and will serve next. The correct score is 10 to 7, in favor of Team A. At this point, either team may make a substitution request.

16. Ball Handling • NOTE:For ball handling judgments, the referee’s judgment must be in accordance with the spirit of the rules to encourage longer rallies and spectacular actions; hence, only the most obvious violations will be whistled. Therefore, when a player is not in a very good position to play the ball, the first referee will be less severe in his/her judgment of ball handling faults.  The referees should enhance the excitement of volleyball by allowing the spectacular elements of the game, and highlighting the skill and athleticism of the players. Referees must judge the contact of the ball, not the technique or body position of the player.