2. 1 NET PLAY July 2007

3. 2 This interactive PowerPoint presentation was developed by Tom Craig, President, Heart of Texas (Temple) VB Chapter; updated by Ed Vesely, Illinois, and Rick Brown, Ohio This presentation is best viewed using Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 To advance the presentation, click the mouse button once to advance to the next item in the presentation at your own pace.

4. 3 AGENDA BLOCKING SITUATIONS (6) BACK-ROW PLAYER SITUATIONS (4) SERVING SITUATIONS (3) OVER-THE-NET SITUATIONS (6)

5. 4 BLOCKING SITUATIONS

6. 5 The action of a player (s) close to the net that deflects the ball coming from the opponent by reaching higher than the top of the net. A block may involve wrist action provided there is no prolonged contact. 9-5-1C – DEFINITION OF A BLOCK PREVIOUS (2006) RULE CHANGE

7. 6 9-5-1C – DEFINITION OF A BLOCK 2. Completed Block – when the ball is touched by a blocker. Only front-row players are permitted to complete a block. 1. Block attempt – the action of blocking without touching the ball. An attempt does not constitute a block. 3. Collective Block – a block executed by more than one blocker in close proximity. It is completed when one of the players touches the ball. It is a blocking fault if a back-row player or libero participates in a completed collective block. “Close proximity” typically means within an arm’s length. PREVIOUS (2006) RULE CHANGE

8. 7 BLOCK ATTEMPT If any player (back or front row) attempts to block the ball but does not touch the ball, this is a block attempt. LEGAL ANY PLAYER Ball not touched In 2005, it was illegal for a back-row player to attempt a block regardless of whether the ball was touched or not.

9. 8 COMPLETED ATTEMPT A front-row player attempts a block and touches the ball LEGAL FRONT- ROW PLAYER BACK- ROW PLAYER A back-row player attempts a block and touches the ball ILLEGAL The ball is touched by a blocker

10. 9 COLLECTIVE BLOCK Two front-row players are double blocking, and the ball touches the collective block anywhere LEGAL FRONT- ROW PLAYER FRONT- ROW PLAYER

11. 10 COLLECTIVE BLOCK A block executed by more than one blocker, with blockers being in close proximity ILLEGAL BACK- ROW PLAYER FRONT- ROW PLAYER Back-row player and front- row player are double blocking, and the ball touches the collective block anywhere, back-row player or front-row player

12. 11 COLLECTIVE BLOCK A block executed by more than one blocker, with blockers being in close proximity ILLEGAL FRONT- ROW PLAYER BACK- ROW PLAYER Back-row player and front- row player are double blocking, and the ball touches the collective block anywhere – back-row player or front-row player

13. 12 COLLECTIVE BLOCK ILLEGAL BACK- ROW PLAYER FRONT- ROW PLAYER Back-row and front- row player are double blocking, and the ball touches the collective block anywhere A block executed by more than one blocker still considered in close proximity to another blocker Still an arm’s length apart = close proximity

14. 13 COLLECTIVE BLOCK ILLEGAL FRONT- ROW PLAYER BACK- ROW PLAYER Back-row and front- row player are double blocking, and the ball touches the collective block anywhere A block executed by more than one blocker still considered in close proximity to another blocker Still an arm’s length apart = close proximity.

15. 14 Art. 4 – Blocking a ball which is entirely on the opponent’s side of the net IS PERMITTED when the opposing team has had an opportunity to complete its attack. The attack is considered complete when the: 9-6-4 – BLOCKING ACROSS THE NET b. Attacking team has had the opportunity to spike the ball or, in the official’s judgment, directs the ball towards the opponent’s court; a. Attacking team has completed its three allowable hits; c. Ball is falling near the net and, in the official’s judgment, no member of the attacking team could make a play on the ball.

16. 15 WHERE IS THE BALL: THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN MAKING BLOCKING DECISIONS –In relation to the vertical plane of the net? –In relation to the horizontal plane of the top of the net? –Is the player front row or back row? WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE PLAYER?

17. 16 BLOCKING SITUATIONS – 1 OFFENSEDEFENSE Attacking team has completed its three allowable hits Block is made across the net, while the ball is still completely on opponent’s side and after attacking team has completed its three allowable hits LEGALLEGAL ATTACK Offense must always be allowed to contact the ball first on team’s 3 rd hit

18. 17 BLOCKING SITUATIONS – 2 OFFENSEDEFENSE Attacking team has had an opportunity to complete the attack or directs the ball towards the opponent’s court Offense must always be allowed to contact the ball first Block is made across the net while the ball is still completely on the opponent’s side LEGAL LEGAL ATTACK Could be 1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd team contact

19. 18 BLOCKING SITUATION – 3 OFFENSEDEFENSE Ball is falling near the net and, in the official’s judgment, no member of the attacking team could make a play on the ball Block is made across the net, while the ball is still completely on opponent’s side LEGAL Could be 1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd team contact

20. 19 BLOCKING SITUATION – 4a OFFENSEDEFENSE On any hit that causes the ball to enter the plane, any player can contact the ball first LEGAL BLOCKLEGAL ATTACK When the ball is in the plane of the net, it is anybody’s ball, with a couple of exceptions Exception: If attacking team has already contacted the ball 3 times, attacking team must let opponents contact the ball first or be called for 4 hits. Simultaneous contact would result in being called for 4 hits.

21. 20 BLOCKING SITUATION – 4b OFFENSEDEFENSE On any hit that causes the ball to enter the plane, any player can contact the ball first LEGAL BLOCK?LEGAL ATTACK? When the ball is in the plane of the net, it is anybody’s ball for a front-row player! Exception 2: If either player is back row, then the officials have to determine whether back-row attack or back-row block occurred. Back- row block would occur if there is simultaneous contact in the plane of the net or the ball was blocked or hit back into the back-row player.

22. 21 BACK-ROW PLAYER SITUATIONS

23. 22 ART 5. A BACK-ROW PLAYER SHALL NOT: 9-5-5 – BACK-ROW PLAYER a. Participate in a completed block (2006 rule change) NOTE: An illegal back-row attack shall not be called until the ball has completely crossed the net or is legally blocked by an opponent (9-4-4) b. Attack a ball which is completely above the height of the net while positioned: 1. On or in front of the attack line or its out-of- bounds extension; 2. In the air, having left the floor on or in front of the attack line or its out-of-bounds extension.

24. 23 c. No part of the ball has crossed the net, and it is legally blocked. 9-4-4 A BALL IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE CROSSED THE NET WHEN: BALL CROSSING THE NET a. It has passed completely beyond the vertical plane of the net. b. It is partially over the net and is contacted by an opponent.

25. 24 WHEN THE BALL IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE CROSSED THE NET Ball moving from left to right 2. Is partially over the net and is contacted by an opponent 3. No part of the ball has crossed the net, and it is legally blocked 1. Passes completely beyond the vertical plane of the net Attack is complete OFFENSEDEFENSE

26. 25 WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Some fouls are called (whistled) only when the ball crosses or is considered to have crossed the net, not before (e.g., blocking over, attacking when the ball is no longer “on net”) Once the ball crosses or is considered to have crossed the net, the other team gets 3 hits

27. 26 PREVIOUS RULE Previously, play continued when a back-row player (on or in front of the attack line) contacted the ball which was completely above the height of the net on a team’s first or second contact, directing the flight of the ball toward a teammate, and the opponent legally contacted the ball that broke the plane of the vertical net. This is changing for 2007. What was called a “safe set” is no longer exempted from the back-row attack rule. In all the situations that follow, the ball is contacted when it is totally above net height and the back-row player takes off from on or in front of the attack line. 9-5-4 – BACK-ROW PLAYER

28. 27 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 1A OFFENSEDEFENSE Pass to the setter The ball is then blocked legally in the plane of the net; ball goes anywhere – in this case it lands on attacker’s court ILLEGAL – BACK-ROW ATTACK Green team back-row setter directs the flight of the ball toward a teammate, and the ball enters the vertical plane of the net; illegal upon legal contact by opponents LEGAL BLOCK WHISTLE, THEN SIGNAL BACK-ROW ATTACK – SIGNAL 8

29. 28 9-5-4 – BACK ROW PLAYER If ball is hit back into a back-row player whose hands are below the height of the net, it is ruled as the team’s 1 st hit/contact LEGAL – PLAY ON If ball is hit back into a back-row player with hand(s)/arm(s) above the height of the net, it’s ILLEGAL – BACK-ROW ATTACK – SIGNAL # 8

30. 29 9-5-4 – BACK ROW PLAYER Effective 2007, it will always be an illegal back-row attack if a back-row player contacts the ball when it is totally above the top of the net, having taken off from on or in front of the attack line assuming the ball next enters the plane of net and is legally touched by an opponent before an attacker contacts the ball.

31. 30 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 1B OFFENSEDEFENSE Pass to the setter The ball is then blocked while it is in the plane Green team overpass is partially below the net with back-row player trying to save ball. LEGAL BLOCK The ball is blocked back into the hands of the back-row setter and the setter’s hands are above the top of the net. ATTACK is LEGAL BACK-ROW BLOCK – ILLEGAL This is also illegal if ball touches any part of the back-row setter’s body while the player is reaching above net or simultaneous contact.

32. 31 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 1C OFFENSEDEFENSE Pass to the setter The ball is then blocked in the plane Green team back-row setter directs the ball towards the net, and the ball enters vertical plane of the net LEGAL BLOCK The ball is blocked back into the hands of the back- row setter whose hands are below the top of the net FIRST CONTACT

33. 32 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 1D The ball is blocked back into the back- row setter’s hands that are above the top of the net ILLEGAL Back-Row Block LEGAL First Contact The ball is blocked back into the back- row setter’s hands that are below the top of the net

34. 33 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 2 OFFENSEDEFENSE Overpass on 1 st or 2 nd hit is going to cross the net Blocker misses the ball and the ball crosses the plane of the net untouched by the blocker ILLEGAL – BACK-ROW ATTACK Foul is called when the ball COMPLETELY crosses the plane of the net untouched SIGNAL #8 BACK-ROW ATTACK 2007-8 Rule change: no matter what setter intended to do, this is judged only on whether ball is next contacted by a teammate (NO SAFE SET). Back-row setter contacts the ball completely above the plane in an attack

35. 34 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 3 OFFENSEDEFENSE Overpass, ball is going to cross the net The ball is then LEGALLY blocked in the plane of the net after contact by the setter ILLEGAL ATTACK Green team back-row setter directs flight of the ball toward a teammate, and the set ball enters the vertical plane of the net ILLEGAL BACK- ROW ATTACK WHISTLED UPON CONTACT BY BLOCKER

36. 35 OFFENSEDEFENSE Overpass on 1 st or 2 nd hit, is going to cross the net and is ATTACKED by a back-row setter with contact when ball is totally above top of the net Ball is legally blocked ILLEGAL Foul is called when the ball is considered to have crossed the net (legally blocked) SIGNAL #8 BACK-ROW ATTACK WHISTLE BACK-ROW SITUATION – 4

37. 36 BACK-ROW SITUATION – 5 OFFENSEDEFENSE Overpass to the setter Green team back-row setter jousts with the opposition blocker as the ball enters vertical plane of the net Defense: LEGAL BLOCK A joust is considered a block, and thus it is illegal for a back row player to participate in a joust. ILLEGAL BACK ROW BLOCK

38. 37 SERVING SITUATIONS

39. 38 BLOCKING A SERVE OFFENSEDEFENSE A served ball is contacted at the net with the blocker reaching above the top of the net at point of contact Violation occurs when the blocker contacts the ball Foul is called when the ball is touched ILLEGAL BLOCK Rule 9-6-5: Blocking a served ball is not permitted SIGNAL # 9

40. 39 ATTACKING A SERVED BALL OFFENSE DEFENSE Served ball The ball is attacked back to the served side from anywhere on the court when the ball is completely above the top of the net, from front or back court Foul is not called until the ball completely crosses the vertical plane of the net or is contacted by an opponent; the ball could be hit into the net SIGNAL # 8 Rule 9-6-6 Page 35 Top of net ILLEGAL

41. 40 LEGAL ATTACK OF A SERVED BALL OFFENSE DEFENSE Served ball The ball can be attacked back to the served side once any part of it is below the top of the net LEGAL ATTACK Rule 9-6-6 Page 35 Top of net Return of serve or legal attack

42. 41 OVER-THE-NET SITUATIONS

43. 42 A player shall not contact a ball which is completely on the opponents side of the net unless the contact is a legal block. NET PLAY – 9-6-3

44. 43 OVER THE NET – 1 A OFFENSEDEFENSE 1 ST hit is a return of serve pass near the net to the setter, and front- or back-row setter is in position to play the ball Ball is blocked over opponent’s court before contact by the setter ILLEGAL Ball is completely on the offensive side of the net SIGNAL # 5 OVER THE NET

45. 44 OVER THE NET – 1 B OFFENSEDEFENSE 1 ST hit is a return- of-serve pass near the net to the setter, front or back row, and setter is in position to play the ball Ball is blocked over opponent’s court before contact by the setter ILLEGAL Ball is clearly completely on the offensive side of the net SIGNAL # 5 OVER THE NET

46. 45 OVER THE NET – 2 OFFENSEDEFENSE 1 ST hit is a return of serve pass and it looks like it will possibly enter the plane of the net, it is not clear if the setter is trying to attack the ball across or set to a teammate since the flight of the ball is straight up and NOT towards the opponent’s court Ball is blocked over the opponents court AFTER the contact by the setter ILLEGAL Ball is clearly COMPLETELY on the offensive side of the net SIGNAL # 5 OVER THE NET

47. 46 OVER THE NET – 3 OFFENSEDEFENSE 1 ST hit is a return of serve pass, and it looks like it will enter the plane of the net; on the 2 nd hit; it is VERY clear the front- row setter is trying to attack the ball across the net The ball is blocked over the opponent’s court after the attack hit by the setter The ball is clearly completely on the offensive side of the net LEGAL

48. 47 OFFENSEDEFENSE Green team’s 3 rd hit is an attack of the ball over the opponent’s court by a front-row player, usually from an over- set or overpass The ball is VERY CLEARLY completely on the defensive side when contacted by the offense ILLEGAL SIGNAL # 5 OVER THE NET OVER THE NET – 4

49. 48 OVER THE NET – 5 OFFENSEDEFENSE Overpass on 1 st or 2 nd hit is going to cross the net, and setter (back or front row) tries to bring the ball back to her side LEGAL The setter or any player tries to bring the ball back to their side of the court when it is still in the plane of the net PLAY ON The ball is CLEARLY still in the plane

50. 49 OVER THE NET – 6 OFFENSEDEFENSE Overpass on 1 st or 2 nd hit crosses the net, and the setter (front or back row) tries to bring the ball back to her side The contact with the ball is after it has completely crossed the plane of the net and is now clearly over the opponent’s court SIGNAL # 5 OVER THE NET ILLEGAL The ball is CLEARLY on the opponent’s side

51. 50 QUESTIONS