Recent Rule Changes

Following the last Olympics, a number of rule changes were adopted (applicable from January 1st 2009). Quite a few changes apply to FIVB competitions or are clarifying existing rules, but others are applicable to all ‘official’ competitions. Advice has been sought from the AVF on a number of occasions to ascertain which of the new rules should be implemented in Australia. No advice has been forthcoming.

Major Rule Changes

1. When a team has a non-playing coach, the captain can no longer request time-outs and substitutions.

2. Penetration into the opponents court beyond the centre line now has two criteria:
a. If the penetration is with the foot (feet), there is no change to the previous rule – the foot (feet) must be either in contact with or above the centre line.
b. Any other part of the body above the feet is now allowed to penetrate providing it does not interfere with the opponents play.

3. Contact with the net by a player is no longer a fault unless it interferes with play:
a. Players may now touch any part of the net outside of the antennae (posts, ropes, including the net itself) provided it does not interfere with play;
b. Touching the top band of the net or the top 80cm of the antennae during the action of playing the ball is automatic interference;
c. Taking support from the net whilst playing the ball is automatic interference;
d. Making actions which hinder an opponent’s legitimate attempt to play the ball is considered automatic interference.

4. Blocking is now the action of players close to the net reaching higher that the top of the net to intercept the ball coming from the opponent, regardless of the height of the ball contact.

5. The procedure for substitution has changed. The actual request for substitution is the entrance of the player(s) into the sub zone. It no longer appears to require a request from a coach or captain. The scorer acknowledges the sub by pressing the buzzer (if available) and the 2nd referee authorises it with the whistle. The second referee stands between the post and the scorer, i.e. the 2nd referee no longer goes to the attack line to control the sub.

6. There can now be 2 liberos per team. The coach must designate one as the 'acting' libero and one as the 'reserve'. The coach can change the libero at any time during the match, but can only do so once. Once the 'acting' libero has been replaced, they can no longer partake in the game. If the 'reserve' libero is then injured, the coach can only use one of his/her players on the bench at the time of the injury as a replacement libero. Such exchange must be recorded in the remarks section of the scoresheet.

7. The second referee is now permitted to whistle completed blocks by back row players, attempted block by the Libero or attack hit faults by back row players or the Libero. The second referee IS authorised to whistle contact with the top band of the net.

Murray Mansfield
Chair BVARC

If you want to know more about The Rule Update, contact Murray Mansfield.