Volleyball Rules & Mechanics Session

Intramural Volleyball Rules

Any rule not covered in intramural rules follows NFHS guidelines

Team Requirements & Equipment 6 players: 4 minimum to start

Co-Rec: combinations may include 3 men/3 women, 3 men/2 women, 3 men/2 women, 2

men/2 women No restrictions on amount of hits per gender

Non-marking rubber-soled athletic shoes No jewelry (including rubber bands) or casts

Please be MORE STRICT ABOUT THIS! Knee braces must have protective padding

The Game Coin Toss determines which team serves &

sides Team not serving 1st, will serve 1st in second game

Whichever side teams were warming up will start on that side to start game

Teams also switch sides between games Play all 3 games

1st Two games to 25 Win by 2 w/ 30 pt cap

Last game to 15 Win by 2 w/ 20 pt cap

Rally Scoring: Let Serve = Ball may hit the net and go over ON THE

SERVE Score on every play regardless of team serving

Point and team winning point gets to serve One time-out per game

Playing the Ball

Maximum of 3 contacts Exception: a block is not considered one of the

contacts Contact is where a player intentionally or

accidentally touches ball Cannot have contact below waist: dead ball – illegal hit

Cannot use feet or legs to hit ball

Illegal Hit: ball comes visibly to rest or prolonged contact w/ player Holding, catching, throwing, rolling, lifting, &

pushing Penalty = point and side out for opposition

Playing the Ball cont’d

Double Hit: player illegally contacts ball twice in succession or ball rebounds from one body part to another on a single attempt to play ball Penalty: Point and side out for opposition

Simultaneous contact by opponents The team side that the ball falls, the players have 3 hits

to get ball over (simultaneous contact treat as a block) Held ball will direct a replay by the officials

Net Play: ball contacting and crossing net shall remain in play provided contact is in playing area Side out for balls that do not go over the net

Playing the Ball cont’d

Net Foul (Penalty is point and side out for opposing team) Player contact any part of nets (including cables)

Not a foul if hair touches net, or force of ball hit by opponent’s hit pushes net into a player

Interference by player who makes contact w/ opponent who is making legitimate effort to play ball

Center Line Foul: Play that has crossed their foot or body part completely over center-line For a Foul…the whole foot or whole body part must be over

the line Can touch line with foot If player falls, any part of body that goes over the line is a

fault Penalty is point and side out for opposition

Playing the Ball cont’d

Blocking the Ball A ball which is entirely on the opponent’s side of the

net is permitted to be blocked when the opposing team has had an opportunity to complete its attack

Includes when the team has used 3 contacts Team had opportunity to spike ball or in official’s

judgment directs the ball w/ intent to return to opponent’s court

Ball is falling near the net on attacking team side, and the officials feels no member of attacking team could make play on ball

Watch for net fouls and contact below net (umpire) Look for follow through of spiker (referee) for net fouls

Back Line Attack

Back Line player may attack ball if: Leaves the floor from behind the 10 ft. line

and its imaginary extension Any part of foot touches 10 ft. line: Foul and pt.

for opposition Back line player may not attempt to block

the ball in front of the 10 ft. line nor may they play the ball above the net (includes attacking or dinks).

Service Server must wait for official’s beckon/whistle

(use preventative officiating & tell players to wait for whistle) Re-serve if they do not wait for beckon/whistle

Side-out on 2nd consecutive serve w/ not beckon/whistle

Any part of foot touches back row line on serve: Fault and pt. for opposition

Serves may hit the net and go over (ball is in play) Balls that hit net and does not fall in non-serving

teams’ court: illegal and point for non-serving team Server may not touch end line

Server’s body may be in the air over lines, having left the floor from serving area

Cannot hit ball with both hands Cannot step back into court until ball is hit

Service cont’d

Serves landing on the line or inside court Ball is in, whole ball has to land outside

lines to be out Server has five seconds to make a legal

serve May toss and catch bad toss, as long as no

swinging motion has been made to attempt serve

Only 1 re-serve for bad toss

Player positioning

No player on court may be closer to sideline, end line or center line than adjacent player on court Front line player may not overlap with back-row

players Players in front line cannot overlap each other side

by side, nor can the back row After the ball has left the server’s hand for the

serve, players may go anywhere on the court Cannot have more than 3 front-row players on the

court during a rotation

Live Ball/Dead Ball Ball becomes live when legally contacted for service Ball becomes dead when:

Ball touches antennas or any part of the net outside playing court Ball strikes the floor Ball contacts permanent object (excluding net) above or outside

playing court Exception: Ball striking ceiling or overhead obstruction above playable

area shall remain in play provided the ball contacts on the side of the net that occupied the ball

Ball contacting track railing and stuck in the ceiling will be a point for the opposition

Player commits a fault Served ball contacts but does not clear net Official’s whistle for any reason

Point shall be replayed if a stray volleyball/basketball enters playing

Substitutions

Unlimited number of substitutions

Substitutes must replace the server

Team can only substitute at a dead ball

Communication

Ask questions Frequent eye contact between

officials during the match Do not be afraid to call an official’s

time out to collaborate with your partner Don’t do the easy thing and call replay

Can ask players if unsure of line calls Always communicate the decisions

with captains

Be consistent

In ball handling violations Carry for one team is carry for another

Can instruct captain’s at meeting about open palm/carry, not serving 2 handed

In determining unsportsmanlike conduct

Treatment of both teams

Be confident

Know your roles and responsibilities Sell the call Move past your own/other’s

criticisms Keep the match moving

Official’s Responsibilities

Duties of the referee Conduct the pre-match conference Blow the whistle for serve and dead ball Recognize requests for substitution or time-out Make ball handling decisions Signal the result of each play or action/infraction Scan the court before beckoning for serve Make server foot fault calls Responsible for the alignment of the serving

team Keep track of the number of hits by a team

during play Signal the end of the game or the end of a time-

out

Use of the whistle

When to use whistle to beckon teams into playing

position for serve to signal any dead ball for time out and/or substitution

when unrecognized by umpire re-serve or re-play end of game switching of sides of

court end of match

Positioning

Assume position on stand across from score table

During serve, no hand on net or cable. Can put hand on top of net after serve

to indicate if there is a net fault during play

Coverage during play

Concentrate on flight of ball at all times

Anticipate flight/interference with obstacles

Anticipate next player to contact Illegal alignment on serving team Pre-serve scan of benches, teams,

and umpire

Terms Let Serve:

A legally served ball that contacts and crosses the net entirely between the antennas shall remain in play.

Ball Handling Prolonged contact Double hit Below the waist

Prolonged Contact Rolls Comes to rest Carried

Double Hit Multiple contacts are permitted only on any first

team hit, whether or not the ball is touched by the block

Multiple contact on second or third hit is illegal

Umpires Can Give Clues to the Head Officials of Calls that they may see (signal, but don’t blow whistle)

Just because you make this discreet signal does not mean the referee will make that call. He/she may have seen something differently. These situations should be discussed after the game. Some officials, as umpire, prefer to blow the whistle and make the illegal back row player call. This should be discussed with your partner. Either way, the call should be made.

Referee can overrule

Signals Begin Service: Extend one arm

towards server, then blow whistle to serve & move arm overhead in a beckon motion

In: extend one arm w/ an open hand palm down toward floor between attack line & net

Out: Hold forearms in front of Out: Hold forearms in front of chest, hands open, palms chest, hands open, palms toward facetoward face

Point: Indicate a #1 w/ index Point: Indicate a #1 w/ index finger w/ the hand on side finger w/ the hand on side which won the pointwhich won the point

Signals Illegal hit/carry: Slowly lift hand

& forearm, palm up, on the side which violated

Replay/play over: Fisted hands, w/ thumbs up, lift arms upward

Illegal Back Row Attack: Raise Illegal Back Row Attack: Raise hand beside head & rotate hand beside head & rotate forearm forward and downwardforearm forward and downward

Illegal Alignment/Out of Illegal Alignment/Out of Rotation: Circular motion with Rotation: Circular motion with entire hand entire hand

Prolonged Contact

Signals Touch: Hand on offending teams’ Touch: Hand on offending teams’

side held beside head, palm side held beside head, palm toward head, brush upward toward head, brush upward across fingertips one time with across fingertips one time with other hand palm forwardother hand palm forward

Net foul/serve: Hand of Net foul/serve: Hand of outstretched arm touches the outstretched arm touches the side of the net where foul side of the net where foul occurredoccurred

Double hit: Hand & arm Double hit: Hand & arm nearest violating team raised, nearest violating team raised, showing 2 fingersshowing 2 fingers

Four hits: Same as double hit Four hits: Same as double hit but indicate 4 fingersbut indicate 4 fingers

Signals Line violation: Indicate the line Line violation: Indicate the line

where the violation occurred where the violation occurred by pointing down towards line by pointing down towards line

Illegally Reaching over netIllegally Reaching over net

Substitution: Bring both hands in front of face (traveling signal with open palms

Signals Change Sides: Raise forearms

and swing right arm in front of body and left arm in back of body

End of game: cross arms against chest

Time-out: Raise arm up of team Time-out: Raise arm up of team that indicates T/O and bring that indicates T/O and bring other arm up to form a “T” other arm up to form a “T” Verbally indicate time-out to Verbally indicate time-out to both partiesboth parties Official’s Time-out: Point at Official’s Time-out: Point at

shoulders and indicate time-shoulders and indicate time-outout

Signals

Initiated by Umpire: Net violation Foot faults Substitutions Time outs Illegal alignment on receiving team Authorization to enter (for substitution) End of the game signal

How to use Signals

To stop play Sound whistle w/ authority Signal the violation & hold the

hand & arm signal long enough to be seen

Signal point, side out, or replay Verbalize the decision when necessary Use the arm or hand on the side of the

team involved

Umpire Responsibilities When to use the whistle

Do not repeat referee whistle Mirror signals made by the referee Make net fault calls Responsible for the net from the bottom of the top

net cord to the ground Make center line foot fault calls Responsible for alignment of the receiving team Make back row attack and block calls for the receiving

team Make ball handling calls when the referee is screened

from the play Position yourself on the blocking team side of the net

and transition to the other side before the 2nd team contact

Alter your position as required to get a better look at the net

Assist the referee in calling the match – Work as a team! Maintain eye contact with the R1 when echoing signals Do not hide behind the support when echoing signals

Umpire Duties

Informal Signals Given as discreet signal to referee –

DO NOT BLOW THE WHISTLE HOLD your in/out call. Give it only if the referee

asks for your help Ball handling calls out of the sight of the referee Down ball vs. pancake save Back-row player foul – this can be a delayed call Touches by the receiving team on a ball going out

of bounds Four hits (discuss this with your partner before

match)

Positioning Stand outside the sideline back from the standard When

On or just before the referee whistles for servePosition

1-2 meters back from standard1-2 meters on side of receiving teamSquare to court

FocusReceiving team

Watching forPosition faults

Move to side opposite ball during play Move slightly to see alignment at time of serve Step back at each dead ball to facilitate visual contact

with benches/coaches Anticipate trajectory of the ball an move to see in and out

as ball crosses the net

Coverage during play

At moment of serve near net on receiving side listen for contact of serve watch for illegal alignment at moment of serve

WhenOn contact of serve

Position1-2 meters back from standardSlightly on side of receiving team

FocusBlockers and the attack zone

Watching forNet violationsIllegal attacks or blocksCenter line violations

Coverage during play Concentrate on center line and net area by first

watching the floor, up to the net, touches on blocks, down the net and back to the floor Resist the temptation to follow the ball away from the

net When

After the setPosition

1-2 meters back from standardSlightly on side of blocking team

FocusAlong the net

Watching forNet violationsTouches by blockers

During Attack Maintain a wide field of vision, observant to the

play that is developing on both sides of the net. As play approaches net, your focus should be

narrowing into the attack zones Look through the net to observe any possible

back row attack violations-whistle a back row fault if you are sure that it has occurred. (This can also be signaled to referee discreetly.)

As attack develops, narrow your focus down the net

DURING ATTACK (cont.) Focus along the net – primarily the top of the net Observe both teams. Look for net violations on the attackers touching the net on their

follow-through. Look for net violations on blockers, primarily if they reach over

net to execute their block Look for touches by blockers When

As the attackers and blockers landPosition

1-2 meters back from standardSlightly on side of blocking team

FocusAlong net and centerline

Watching forNet violationsCenterline violations

After the Attack

Focus along the net & centerline as the players land

STAY FOCUSED ON THE NET as the ball is hit into the opponent’s court.

Look for net violations Look for centerline violations Start your transition to the opposite side

of the net as the serving team makes their transition for their attack.

Move quickly and begin the routine again.

AFTER THE WHISTLE

Focus along the net and through the attack zone to the referee

Be aware of any trash talking going on after the rally

If a ball going out of bounds was touched by a blocker, signal immediately

Mimic the referee’s signals

Back Row Play Play continues when a back-row player

(on or in front of the attack line), Contacts the ball, which is completely above

the height of the net, On the teams’ first or second contact, Directing the flight of the ball toward a

teammate, And the opponent legally contacts the ball that

breaks the vertical plane of the net, play is legal.

BUT, if the ball completely crosses the net untouched, it is a back-row player foul.

Back Row Play

Same situation but… The flight of the ball is toward the opponent’s

court and not toward a teammate. And is legally touched by an opponent above

the net, or completely crosses the net; It becomes a back-row player foul. The flight of the ball is the determining factor.

The flight has to be toward a teammate.

Net Play

A player shall not contact a ball that is completely on the opponent’s side of the net unless the contact is a legal block.

When is a player considered “over the net”? Cannot take a play away from

opponents A team must be given its 3 allowable

hits

Checking alignment Receiving team helpful hint - find a pair of diagonally opposite

players, I.e. left front & right back, continually check on their position on the floor

At the time of the serve All right-side players must have part of one foot

closer to the right sideline than both feet of the center player in their corresponding row

All left-side players must have part of one foot closer to the left sideline than both feet of the center player in their corresponding row

All front row players must have part of one foot closer to the center line than both feet of their corresponding back row player

Check primary setters if possible Moment of serve is critical time for alignment Track entering subs into proper positions

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Always signal on the proper side of the net for any net violations and centerline violations.

On any ball going out of bounds, make NO call, and only give it if the referee asks for your help.

Proper position is the key to seeing and making the right call, so move quickly.

A player may block a ball that is completely on the opponent’s side of the net when: Attacking team has had its 3 hits. In the official’s judgment, the attacking team

has directed the ball toward the opponent’s court, as in a spike or drive from the backcourt.

Ball is falling near the net, and no member of the attacking team can make a play on the ball.

REMEMBER: It is never legal to attack a ball that is completely on the opponents’ side of the net

Proper Alignment

PLAYERPLAYER MUST BE MUST BE ALIGNED ALIGNED

WITHWITH

RBRB RF, CBRF, CB

RFRF CF, RBCF, RB

CFCF CB, LF, RFCB, LF, RF

LFLF LB, CFLB, CF

LBLB LF, CBLF, CB

CBCB CF, LB, RBCF, LB, RB

LF CF RF

LB CB RB

Players’ Positions at Time of Service

Illegal

Illegal

Legal

Legal

Illegal

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Use of Penalty Cards Use preventative officiating first Cards are cumulative in a match and carry over

from previous games Officials do not have to issue a yellow card before

issuing a red card or a red card before a disqualification

R1 administers cards, R2 may request cards Remember that a yellow card is only a warning Use cards for unsportsmanlike conduct Use yellow cards for:

Warning for minor offenses Use of illegal equipment Player attempting to grandstand/showboat

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Use of Penalty Cards cont

Use Red Cards for: Serious misconduct Swearing Taunting an opponent Repeat offenses that have already received a yellow card

Disqualification should occur when: A player or coach commits a second serious offense or

third minor offense Fighting Injuring another player intentionally

Degree of offense and level of card (yellow vs. red vs. yellow/red) is at the discretion of the R1 and is not subject to protest