Volleyball 101
Volleyball Officiating Insights
with Brian Smith
NCAA Rule 15.2.4 – Crossing the
Center Line
15.2.4.1
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 center line, and there is no interference with opponents.
15.2.4.2
Encroachment into the opponent’s court with any part(s) of the body is permitted,
provided some part of the body remains either in contact with or directly above the
center line, and there is no interference with opponents. In addition, completely
crossing the center line with the foot, feet or hands, or encroachment with other body
parts must not present a safety hazard to opponents.
NCAA Rule 15.2.1 – Net Fault
15.2.1
Contact with the net or antenna by a player is not a fault, unless it is made
during an action of playing the ball, or it interferes with the play. Playing the
ball may include actions in which the player(s) does not actually touch the
ball.
Player Alignment
NCAA Rule 18 – Challenge Review
System
This Rule:
-Used to Confirm, reverse (only when video reveals indisputable evidence referee’s
decision was incorrect), or replay specific decisions by the officiating team
-Each team is limited to THREE challenges per match (malfunctioning equipment
excepted)
-must be requested by head coach before first service after the play
Reviewable Decisions:
Ball IN or OUT (including whether a pancake was successful)
Whether ball contacted player, either prior to going out OR if a team may have had
four contacts before ball returns to opponents
Whether a net fault occurred
Whether a service foot fault occurred
NCAA Ball Handling Directive
Guidelines
Goals of the Ball Handling Directive:
• An increase in continuation of play when judging second ball
contacts that are directed to a teammate.
• A player in good position must play the ball without
discernible double contact.
• Less severe judgement is applied to a contact by a player
who makes a challenging or spectacular play.
NCAA Rule 14.3.2 – Simultaneous
Contacts by Opponents (Joust)
14.3.2.2
After simultaneous contact by opponents, if the ball lands outside a boundary
line, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net. If, after a
simultaneous contact between opponents, the ball rolls along the net and
contacts an antenna, this is a double fault, both teams having caused the ball
to touch the antenna. The rally is replayed.
14.3.2.3
A joust occurs when players of opposing teams cause the ball to come to rest
above the net through simultaneous contact. A joust is not a fault, and play
continues as if the contact was simultaneous.
Better Understanding Some Specific
Rules…
• Center Line Fault - Now Identical in NCAA/USA VB
• Net Contact - essentially the same for NCAA/USA VB. Not=fault unless
playing the ball or creating interference
• Alignment – Made Simple
• BRA/BRB – bad things can happen when BR player and ball in plane meet
• Challenge Review System – Limited Scope; Coaches Asking the Best
Question
• Ball Handling – Expectations vs. Rule Directive/Challenging Play
• The Rare, But Misunderstood Joist Rule
• Rules Not Feeling the Love: Screening