CASEPLAYS

Back-Row Block?

Play: Team A overpasses the first ball and the back-row setter, who is standing near the net, raises her hands over her head in a blocking stance. A player from team B attacks the ball and it hits the setter’s hands while they are lower than the top of the net. The first referee allows play to continue. Ruling: The referee’s decision is correct for all codes. The setter does not meet the definition of a blocker since she is not reaching higher than the top of the net. That would be considered the team’s first contact (NFHS 9-51c; NCAA 14.6.1; USAV 14.1.1).

External Interference

Play: A ball retriever loses control of a ball and it rolls across the back corner of the court on the side of the net opposite where the ball is being played. The ball does not cause a distraction or interfere with play and the ball retriever is able to retrieve the ball and move away from the court safely. The referees allow play to continue. Ruling: Correct for all codes. If the ball does not cause any distraction or interfere with play, there is no reason to stop play. If the ball causes a distraction or interferes with play, the referee should blow the whistle and signal a replay (NFHS 9-8-1g-1; NCAA 11.4.1; USAV 17.2).

Assistant Coach on Court

Play: During a timeout, an assistant coach enters the court to demonstrate a technique to a player on that team’s side of the court. The referees allow the assistant coach to enter the court. Ruling: Legal in NFHS and NCAA (NFHS 11-24, 11.2.4, NCAA 11.2.4.1). Teams may confer with their coaches as long as it is not in the opponent’s team area. Illegal in USAV as coaches and non-playing team personnel are prohibited from entering the court during a timeout (15.4.2).