A player from Team A legally pursues a ball in the opponent’s free zone and contacts the ball, sending it back toward Team A’s court. On the return path, the ball hits the first referee.

Ruling: The ball is "out" per Rule 8.4.2.

A player runs into the second referee or line judge while chasing the ball.

Ruling: The first referee may award a replay if he/she feels the physical interference impeded the player's attempt to legally play the ball (USAV 8.4.2f).

A back row player on the court becomes injured and cannot continue to play after 30- seconds. If the Libero is currently on the bench, can the Libero replace the injured player instead of a substitution having to take place?

Ruling: Yes. A legal Libero replacement for the injured player remains an option after the 30-second injury evaluation period has elapsed.

The numbers on the front of the team’s jerseys are not centered according to Rule 5.1.4. Is the team permitted to play while wearing these jerseys?

Ruling: At USAV national competitions, the jerseys must conform to Rule 4.3.3.1, and the team would not be allowed to play with these jerseys.

The coach submits the team’s starting line-up and has player #1 listed as a starter in Position 1. Player #1 is also listed as the Libero. The second referee and scorer did not notice this until the line-ups were being checked to start the set. What is the appropriate action by the referees to handle this situation?

Ruling:During that set, the only player who may be the Libero for this team is #1, and player #1 may not participate as a regular player. A "phantom" substitution must be made in the position occupied by #1 on the team’s line-up. If, however, this is noticed when the line-up is submitted to the R2, a good preventive refereeing technique would be to ask the coach/captain which position they would like #1 to play, and allow them to "fix" the line-up sheet error.

Team A is granted a substitution and immediately thereafter, Team B requests and is granted a time-out. At the conclusion of the time-out, Team A requests another substitution.

Ruling: The request is denied, and the team may be subject to an Improper Request. A team is allowed only one request for substitution during each dead ball.

Team A asks for a substitution at the same time that Team B requests a time-out. The second referee acknowledges (whistles) the time-out and indicates that the time-out will be granted first, and the substitution will be administered at the conclusion of the timeout. During the time-out: 1) Team A indicates that an additional substitution is desired at the conclusion of the time-out. Does this constitute a second request for substitution during the same dead ball? 2) Team A indicates that no substitutions are desired at the conclusion of the time-out. Does this constitute an improper request or delay?

Ruling:
1) No. Since the time-out was administered first, if Team A still wants a substitution, the request must be made at the conclusion of the time-out. This may be a request for single or multiple substitutions.

2) No. Since the time-out was administered first and the substitution request was not recognized, if Team A makes no request for substitution after the time-out, play resumes without sanction.

If a player’s towel or pair of glasses falls to the floor during play, should a delay sanction be assessed if the rally must be stopped to allow the player to retrieve the item?

Ruling:If a player’s towel falls to the floor during a rally, which consequently requires a stoppage of play, a delay sanction must be issued. The rally should not be stopped unless a true hazard exists to the players. A towel that falls to the floor on a team's own side of the court is generally that team’s "problem," and that team must take steps to mitigate the risk hazard. A player missing a play on the ball while moving the towel is not sufficient cause to stop the rally. However, the towel falling on the centerline, where it may become a hazard to the opponents, is cause enough to stop the rally, issue a delay sanction, and replay the rally.

Eye-glasses (or contact lenses) are worn at the player’s own risk (Rule 4.5.2). If a stoppage of play results due to a concern for safety, a delay sanction is assessed and a replay should be granted. A similar rationale, as noted above in the “towel” situation, should be used to determine if a true safety hazard exists. Of course, if a player is injured as his/her lenses fall to the floor, the injury takes precedence and the provisions of Rule 17.1 should be applied.

A player is wearing a hard plastic headband to control long hair. Is this legal?

Ruling: Smooth plastic headbands may be used to control the hair. Likewise, barrettes and bobby pins are permitted. Such items do not need to be covered or padded.