2010-11 Volleyball Rules Changes

1-3-1 Clarifies when a point is scored and when a rally has been completed.

Rationale: Clarifies when a point is scored and when a rally has been completed.

2-1 New 8 Defines the specific zone for libero replacements and its physical location in the playing area.

Rationale: Defines a specific zone for replacements similar to the substitution zone.

2-new 5, 9-8-1f Defines non-team members as officials, media personnel, spectators located in a playable area.

Rationale: This definition clearly identifies non-team members and delineates the difference between a non-team member and a team member.  This delineation is helpful when determining when such actions such as a replay should occur or various penalties are assessed.

4-1-1, 2, 3, &4 Updates and clarifies the rules regarding braces, casts, padding and prostheses.

Rationale: Clarification of rules regarding braces, casts, etc. from NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

4-1-5 Expands the style of items that may be worn in the hair to include unadorned flat clips no longer than 2 inches.

Rationale: Flat clips will not create a risk of injury and will provide another viable method to use as a hair control device.

4-1-New 7 Places a long standing informal procedure within the rules for the state association and school to follow when an accommodation/modification of the rules for participation is made due to medical, special needs or religious reasons.

Rationale: Includes a procedure to follow when an accommodation/modification of the rules for participation is made due to medical, special needs or religious reasons.

5-3-4e Changes the end- of-set protocol for the last set in a match to require the first referee, after confirming the score with the second referee, to simply release the teams from the end lines and thus permit each state association to establish its own end of match protocol, such as a team handshake.

Rationale: These changes in court protocol will assist in a more logical end of set, will eliminate court congestion and permit individual states to establish a handshake procedure if desired.

6-New 1, 9-1-1 Defines team members as school representatives located in the team bench area including coaches, teammates, managers, trainers and the players.

Rationale:

Defines team membership which previously had not been included within the rules.  This is helpful since there are penalties and actions related to players and nonplayers.

6-New 2 Defines teammates as all players on the same team in uniform and further define players as those teammates on the playing court.

Rationale:

Defines team membership and players which previously had not been included in the rules.  This is helpful since there are penalties and actions related to players, team members and nonplayers.

10-1-4, 7-1-2 Once the lineup has been submitted by the required deadline and prior to play commencing, the coach may request and be granted a substitution.

Rationale: Rather than begin the set with a penalty of a loss of rally/point and confusion for the players and officials, allowing the head coach to substitute prior to the start of the set may alleviate the problem.  Lineups shall not be rearranged.  Only substitutions would be allowed.

12-2-8d It is unsporting conduct to disrespectfully address a referee and now assistant officials (line judges, scorer, libero tracker and timer) are included.

Rationale: It should be stated in the rules that any team member who disrespectfully addresses the referees, as well as the assistant officials (line judges, scorer, timer and libero tracker), shall be considered unsporting conduct.  Current language limits such comments to be unsporting only if addressing the referees.

Official Signal #6 Net Foul/Net Serve:  The second referee is not required to touch the net or signal a net serve.

Rationale: It is obvious a ball is a net serve and is not necessary for the R2 to mirror the signal of the R1.  This is an unnecessary signal for the R2.

Major Editorial Changes1-7-2, 3-2-1, 4-1-5, 5-3-3c(17), 5-3-3c(21), 9-9-1h, 10-2-5a, 10-2-7a(1), 10-2-7c, 10-3-5, 10-4-2 new d, 10-4-3, 11-2-3, 11-2 PEN 1, 11-2 PEN 2, 12-2-6, 12-2-6 new NOTE, Procedure for Unsporting Conduct Violations #10, Line Judge Signals (using flags), NFHS Official Volleyball Signals # 6 & #8, How to Use the Signals #23, Scorer and Libero Tracker Duties, Case Book – Prematch Responsibilities #5

Points of Emphasis

1. Conduct of head coach while standing
2. Libero review
3. Timer's responsibilities for all time-outs
4. Informal officials signals
5. Court management
6. Second referee responsibilities
7. Line judges responsibilities and training
8. Judging height of the ball on completed attack by libero

- From the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union