Volleyball 101 Volleyball Officiating Insights with Brian Smith

NCAA Rule 15.2.4 – Crossing the Center Line 15.2.4.1 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.   15.2.4.2 Encroachment into the opponent’s court with any part(s) of the body is permitted, provided some part of the body remains either in contact with or directly above the center line, and there is no interference with opponents. In addition, completely crossing the center line with the foot, feet or hands, or encroachment with other body parts must not present a safety hazard to opponents.

NCAA Rule 15.2.1 – Net Fault 15.2.1 Contact with the net or antenna by a player is not a fault, unless it is made during an action of playing the ball, or it interferes with the play. Playing the ball may include actions in which the player(s) does not actually touch the ball.

Player Alignment

NCAA Rule 18 – Challenge Review System This Rule: -Used to Confirm, reverse (only when video reveals indisputable evidence referee’s decision was incorrect), or replay specific decisions by the officiating team -Each team is limited to THREE challenges per match (malfunctioning equipment excepted) -must be requested by head coach before first service after the play Reviewable Decisions: Ball IN or OUT (including whether a pancake was successful) Whether ball contacted player, either prior to going out OR if a team may have had four contacts before ball returns to opponents Whether a net fault occurred Whether a service foot fault occurred

NCAA Ball Handling Directive Guidelines Goals of the Ball Handling Directive: An increase in continuation of play when judging second ball contacts that are directed to a teammate. A player in good position must play the ball without discernible double contact. Less severe judgement is applied to a contact by a player who makes a challenging or spectacular play.

NCAA Rule 14.3.2 – Simultaneous Contacts by Opponents (Joust) 14.3.2.2 After simultaneous contact by opponents, if the ball lands outside a boundary line, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net. If, after a simultaneous contact between opponents, the ball rolls along the net and contacts an antenna, this is a double fault, both teams having caused the ball to touch the antenna. The rally is replayed. 14.3.2.3 A joust occurs when players of opposing teams cause the ball to come to rest above the net through simultaneous contact. A joust is not a fault, and play continues as if the contact was simultaneous.

Better Understanding Some Specific Rules… Center Line Fault - Now Identical in NCAA/USA VB Net Contact - essentially the same for NCAA/USA VB. Not=fault unless playing the ball or creating interference Alignment – Made Simple BRA/BRB – bad things can happen when BR player and ball in plane meet Challenge Review System – Limited Scope; Coaches Asking the Best Question Ball Handling – Expectations vs. Rule Directive/Challenging Play The Rare, But Misunderstood Joist Rule Rules Not Feeling the Love: Screening