Over The Line

Plays at the net happen quickly and the second referee must be able to see penetration under the net quickly to determine if a fault occurs. The codes handle this situation a little differently so it is important to know which code you are working to enforce the rule properly.

On this particular play, the player is not guilty of a centerline violation in any of the three codes as she has a portion of her foot over the line, but the remainder of her foot is on or above the centerline. She also is clearly not interfering with an opponent’s opportunity to make a play on the ball. We can assume the player far left is returning to the floor after a block and her actions are legal.

So when would she be guilty of a centerline violation? In NFHS, if an entire foot or hand crosses the line or any other body part makes contact across the line, it is illegal, whether or not she interferes with a player. If outside the court, the player may cross the centerline, provided she does not interfere with play of the opposing team (9-5-7, 9-5-8).

In NCAA, 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 centerline and there is no interference with opponents. If other parts of the body or a complete hand or foot crosses the centerline, it must not present a safety hazard. Players may cross the centerline outside the court and enter the free zone, provided there is no interference with opposing players or does not cause a safety hazard (15.2.4).

USAV is similar to the NCAA rule. USAV rules simply state it is legal to touch an opponent’s court with any part of the body, provided some part of the body remains in contact with or above the centerline and there is no interference with opponents. Completely crossing the line is legal, provided it does not present a safety hazard to opponents. Encroaching into an opponent’s free zone is the same as NCAA rules (11.2.2.2).