Blocking: Rule 14.1
- Must all players be reaching higher than the top of the net to be considered part of a collective block?
RULING: Yes. By definition, a player can only be
considered a blocker if the player is reaching higher than the top
of the net. A player, who is near a collective block but not reaching
higher than the top of the net, is not considered a blocker. If the
ball contacts this player, it will be considered the team’s first
hit.
Completed Rally: Rule 6.1.3, Rule 15
- With regard to the definition of a completed rally, if a rally-in-progress
is interrupted, is a line-up check permitted before the serve is re-authorized?
RULING: Yes, line-up checks are a courtesy provided
by the second referee with the scorer’s assistance. Line-up checks
are not considered regular game interruptions (Rule 15), and therefore
are not prevented by the new “completed rally” definition.
Player Equipment: USAV 4.5.1
- Are small plastic studs/spacers allowed in the nose, lip, or ear?
RULING: Yes, these are considered legal as replacements
for jewelry in piercings.
- Is it legal for a player to have monofilament line, string or thread
looped through a piercing hole?
RULING: No, monofilament line, string or thread
looped through a piercing hole is not legal. However, a straight
piece of line, knotted at both ends, would be considered legal.
Time-out Requests and Procedures: USAV 5.1.2.3, Rule 15.10.1,
Rule 19.3.2.4
- Is it permitted for the captain to request a time-out even if a coach
is present on the bench?
RULING: Yes. In the preamble of the DCR that contains
the significant rule changes, it states that USAV 5.1.2.3 was added
to clarify that "The captain may request
a time-out." In the body of the DCR, that change was inadvertently
omitted.
- Do USAV rules allow for Libero replacements or substitutions during
time-outs without following the normal replacement or substitution
procedure?
RULING: No. The six players who were on the court
when the time-out was called must return to the court at the conclusion
of the time-out. A legal Libero replacement or substitution may then
occur before the resumption of play.
Center Line Penetration and Player Interference: Rule 11.2, USAV 8.4.2
- A player from Team A falls to the floor and rolls under the net beyond
the center line. The player has both hands completely touching his
own court, but his feet are in the air above the opponent’s court with
no part of the Team A player’s feet touching his own court. Is this
a fault?
RULING: No. Provided the encroaching player (from
Team A, in this situation) does not interfere with the opponent’s
play, no fault has been committed.
- A ball is passed over/outside an antenna by Team B. A Team B player
legally pursues the ball into Team A’s free zone and sends the ball
back toward Team B’s court. On the return path, the ball hits the
first (or second) referee. Should this be a replay since the ball
would have otherwise remained in play if it had not hit the referee?
RULING: No, a replay is not awarded in this situation.
Rule 8.4.2 indicates that the ball is “out” if it touches a person
out of play. This includes members of the officiating team.
- A player is chasing a teammate’s poorly passed ball. As the player
is preparing to contact the ball, the player runs into an official
(line judge or second referee). The player is prevented from reaching
the ball due to the contact with the official. Should this be a replay
if the referees determine the player had made a legitimate effort
to play the ball, which was impeded by the contact with the official?
RULING: Yes. USAV 8.4.2f indicates that a replay
may be granted if an official, media equipment or personnel, or a
spectator interferes with a player’s legal attempt to play the ball.
Coaches: USAV 5.1.2.2
- In 14 & under competition, is a coach permitted to walk across
the court to speak with the first referee?
RULING: No. Although the coach is permitted to act
in place of the captain for 14 & under competition, this does
not allow the coach the right to enter the court to have discussions
with the first referee. In this case, the second referee should be
the primary point of contact for the coach. In the absence of a certified
professional second referee, the first referee should communicate
with the coach through the playing captain, and if absolutely necessary,
may leave the stand to address the coach near the bench.
Libero Replacements: Rule 19.3.2.1
- Team A’s Libero is occupying the left back position (position 5) for #12. Team A wins the rally and
rotates for serve. The Libero is not replaced by #12 and remains on the court, now occupying left
front (position 4). Her team serves and wins the rally. The referees then discover that the Libero
was occupying a front row position. #12 now returns to the court, replacing the Libero. Team A’s
coach would like the Libero to immediately replace their last server, stating that although she was
on the court illegally, since a point has been scored by the opponent, this constitutes a completed
rally and she should be able to immediately replace another player. Is this a correct interpretation?
RULING: No, although there was a completed rally,
the Libero was on the court (illegally), and must therefore sit out
a rally before replacing another player.
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