Geelong Amateur Volleyball Association

2009-2012 Rule Change

Written by Administrator Friday, 14 August 2009 21:50

The recently applied rule changes by the FIVB will be implemented at the start of our next season (13 july)

• the captain can only request a timeout and/or substitution in the absence of the coach (this has always been the practice, i.e. the coach had a higher authority but it is now a rule);
• the assistant coach can. if requested by the game captain and authorised by the 1st referee, assume the coach's functions should the coach have to leave the team for any reason (previously they assistant coach could not assume the coach's functions if the coach had to leave as a result of a sanction being applied);
• the ball that is heading towards the opponent's court through the lower space of the net is in play until the moment it has completely crossed the vertical plane of the net (this has always been practice, but is now a rule);
• players may now touch the opponent's court with any part of their body above the feet, provided they do not interfere with play , i.e. the foot/feet must still be in contact with or directly above the centre line.
• player contact with the net outside of the antenna, is now the same as touching the ropes, post or other objects, i.e. it is permitted as long as it does not interfere with play;
• contact with the net is no longer a fault unless it interferes with play . The rule book contains definitions of 'interfering with play' which I suggest you read. The main one to note, is that contact with the top band of the net and the top 80cm of the antenna during the action of playing the ball is considered to be interference.
• substitution procedure. The actual request for substitution is the entrance of the player in the sub zone. The scorer acknowledges the sub by pressing the buzzer and the 2nd refere authorises 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.
• 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.
• both the 1st and 2nd referee can now call illegal back court blocks and attacks.