Rule Information
FIVB Amend Rule 19 – The Libero
The amendments to this rule, put simply, allow a team to utlise two libero players during a set/match. As before, only one libero is allowed on the court at a time, but now a coach can replace the acting libero (the one on the court) with the second libero for any reason after a completed rally at any time during the match. The regular replacement player (the one off the court for the libero) can go back on court replacing either libero.
For a more indepth understanding of the rule changes read Rule 19 of the FIVB rule book.
Reaching Beyond the net.
So when is a reach a reach, and when is a reach not a reach……
Understanding play at the net is a fundamental skill required of a 1st referee. As play occurs extremely quickly at the net, having a good knowledge of the rules and an ability to draw on this knowledge quickly is important.
Q. Can I touch the ball in the opponent’s space?
The only time you can touch the ball in the opponent’s space is when you are blocking. Any other time you touch the ball in the opponent’s space it is a fault.
For example:
A receiver over passes the ball and the front row setter jumps to pull the ball back to his side and touches the ball with his fingers over the net (in the opponents space) to bring the ball back from the opponent’s side of the court.
In this situation, the 1st referee must whistle a reaching fault, as the front court setter is not allowed to touch any part of the ball when it is in the opponent’s space.
The question now becomes “when can I block a ball”?
To answer that question it is important to have an understanding of the definition of a block. To be considered a block a player must:
- Be close to the net,
- Intercept a ball coming from an opponent, and
- Reach Higher than the top of the net.
(See Rule 14.1.1)
The blocker has the right to block the ball within the opponent’s space with their hands beyond the net provided that:
- The ball, after the 1st or second hit by the opposing team, is directed towards the blockers court (an attack hit), and
- No player of the opponent’s team is close enough to the net to legitimately play the ball.
If a player of the opposing team is near the ball and about to play it, the block beyond the net is a fault if the blocker contacts the ball before or during the player’s action, thus preventing the opponents legitimate action of playing the ball.
After the 3rd hit by the opponent, the ball may be blocked in the opponents space.
Happy Whistle Blowing!
Screening
The players of the serving team must not prevent their opponent from seeing the server or the flight path of the ball.
A player (individual screen) or group of players (collective screen), of the serving team makes a screen by waving arms, jumping or moving sideways, while their team carries out the service, OR by standing grouped to hide the flight path of the ball.
Changes applying to playing actions
1) A rule applying to the centre line and penetration by players under the net (Rule 11.2.2.2) has been added:
11.2.2.2 To touch the opponent’s court with any part of the body above the feet is permitted provided that does not interfere with the opponent’s play.
A player can now pass the centre line as long as their feet do not completely pass beyond the centre line. The second referee must carefully judge whether any interference has occurred, either by physical hindrance or through creating a dangerously playing surface, such as a wet spot on the floor.
11.4.2 A player interferes with an opponent’s play while penetrating into the opponent’s space under the net
11.4.3 A player’s foot (feet) penetrates completely into the opponent’s court.
2) There have been several changes to the contact with the net rules (Rules11.3 and 11.4). In general, unless contact with the net occurs at the top band (7cm), it is not a fault.
This video presentation,
http://www.hunvolley.hu/mrsz/jatekvezetok/szab_terem/net_rule_modifications.wmv
developed by a member of the FIVB Rules Commission provides an excellent representation of what is now legal. It also provides a comparison with the old rules.
11.3.1 Contact with the net IS NOT A FAULT, unless it interferes with play.
11.3.2 Players may touch the post, ropes or any other object outside the antennae, including the net itself, provided that it does not interfere with play.
What is interference?
11.4.4 A player interferes with an opponent’s play by (amongst others):
- touching the top band of the net, or the top 80cm of the antenna during his/her action of playing the ball
- taking support from the net simultaneously with playing the ball
- creating an advantage over an opponent
- making actions which hinder an opponent’s legitimate attempt to play the ball.
Note: It is not considered interference if a player, in contacting the net, causes the net to move significantly or obviously.
Changes applying to process and rights
3) Change to Captain’s rights
If a team has a coach present at the court, then the team captain no longer has the right to call for game interruptions (e.g. Time Out)
Rule 5.1.2.3 In the absence of the coach, (the captain) to request timeout or substitution.
4) Two Libero Players
Teams of up to twelve (12) players may now nominate two Libero players. Both Libero players will be identified within the team list on the scoresheet in the lines allocated for Liberos (Rule 19.1.1 and 19.1.2).
The Libero in play (“Acting Libero”) can be exchanged with the reserve Libero, but note the acting Libero will then take no further part in that match. Scorers will record the redesignation of Libero within the remarks section of the scoresheet.
To make it easier for spectators and the officials to acknowledge the redesignation of Liberos, the redesignation should occur in the Libero replacement zone using a process similar to the substitution process.
A team captain may now also relinquish the captaincy to take on the Libero role. Note a replacement Game Captain must be nominated who will take on the Team Captain responsibilities for the remainder of the match.
5) Substitution Procedure
The coach is no longer required to press a buzzer or make an official hand signal to request a substitution. The request for substitution will be the act of a player, in uniform and ready to enter the court, entering the substitution zone with the substitution paddle in hand whilst the ball is out of play.
The scorer, using a buzzer; or the second referee, using a whistle will authorise the request for substitution (Rule 15.10).
6) Second Referee Responsibilities
The rules have returned to the 2000-2004 requirements for the second referee to whistle illegal back row attack faults.
The second referee will now take up a position between the scorer and the net post during the substitution procedure. They must ensure their position does not interfere with the scorer’s view of the players substituting.
The second referee will continue to be responsible for controlling the substitution process, including multiple substitutions being conducted one by one. They will also continue to provide authorisation for the players to enter the court, once the scorer has endorsed the legality of the substitution.
Complied by:
Dean Turner, FIVB International Referee
