With the new rule requiring the coaches (head coach and ONE assistant coach) to be at least 1.75 meters from the court while the ball is in play, how do we define that distance on the court?

RULING: If the court utilizes the attack line extensions, the back edge of the hash mark furthest from the sideline is actually 1.75 meters from the sideline! Therefore, if an imaginary line is extended parallel to the sideline (gray line above), it will define the area that coaches may not enter while the ball is in play. When the ball is out of play, the head coach and one assistant coach may approach the sideline to instruct players on the court. When the referee prepares to beckon for the next serve, the coach(es) must step away from the court as required by USAV 5.2.3.4 and USAV 5.3.1..

When the referee whistles and beckons for serve, what if the coaches are still standing within 1.75 meters of the court?

RULING: When the referee prepares to beckon for serve, this should be a cue for the coach(es) to step away from the court. If the coach(es )do not appear to be doing so, the second referee should be proactive, as long as it does not detract from their other duties, and motion to the coach to move away from the court. After play ends, if necessary, the first referee may whistle and motion the coach(es) away from the court, or the referee may remind the game captain to inform the coaches of this requirement. Repeated occurrences should be handled as outlined in Case # 3 below.

If a coach must be continually reminded to stay at least 1.75 meters while the ball is in play, is there a sanction or penalty?

RULING: Referees should remind coaches of this rule requirement during the pre-match period. During the match, referees may need to again remind coaches. However, after instructing coaches during pre-match and offering verbal reminders during the match, a delay sanction may be necessary. A verbal warning or individual sanction may be necessary if the coach’s actions are unsporting.

If attack line extensions are not used on a court, how do we define the 1.75 meter distance?

RULING: The referees may identify other floor markings to define the 1.75 meter distance. In the absence of any discernable court markings, the referees must use their best judgment to ensure coaches remain the appropriate distance from the court while the ball is in play.

Many portable court surfaces include only the required two meters clearance from the sideline to the edge of the playing area. How are USAV 5.2.3.4 and USAV 5.3.1 applied in this situation?

RULING: For competitions conducted on portable court surfaces, if the playing surface has only two meters of free zone from the front of the bench to the sideline, this effectively limits the coach(es) to the area immediately in front of, or next to, the bench while the ball is in play. It is not required for the coach and/or one assistant coach to be seated. Substitutes must remain seated on the team bench or must be in the warm-up area, not closer to the court than the front of the team’s bench.

How are USAV 5.2.3.4 and USAV 5.3.1 applied if the court has a reduced free zone, and consequently, has less than 1.75 meters from the bench to the sideline?

RULING: As noted in Case #5 above, this effectively limits the coach(es) to the area immediately in front of, or next to, the bench while the ball is in play.

Do these rules extend the location of substitutes in the warm-up area or at the team bench?

RULING: No. Substitutes must be seated on the team bench (or stand in the bench area if no physical bench is present), or they may stand in the warm-up area at the end of the bench provided they are not closer to the court than the front edge of the team bench/bench area.

If the coach(es) stand near the warm-up area beyond the imaginary extension of the end line during play, do USAV 5.2.3.4 and USAV 5.3.1 still apply?

RULING: Yes, the 1.75 meter distance is applied along the full length of the sideline and its imaginary extension to the end of the free zone.

Does USAV 5.2.3.4 or USAV 5.3.1 impact the requirement for coaches to remain outside the substitution zone during the match?

RULING:No, coaches may instruct their teams from the extension of the attack line, which defines the substitution zone, to the warm-up area. They may not enter the substitution zone to address their players, the second referee or the scorer.