NFHS Volleyball Rule Changes 2013-2014

1. NFHS Volleyball Rule Changes2013-2014 Tina Spann Northeast Volleyball Officials’ Association

2. Rule Changes • Rule 4-1-4:Deletes reference that a towel tucked in a player’s uniform waistband is an automatic violation. • Rationale: The wearing of a towel is not always a concern and may at times be needed. • Rule 5-1-1: Clarifies that the host school is responsible for providing all officials, including line judges.

3. Rule Changes • Rule 5-4-4b:Following the first referee’s signal for end-of-set, teams are directed to the appropriate team benches and no longer report to the end lines. • Rationale: It unnecessarily creates management issues to attempt to have teams report to the end lines. There is no need for the first referee to verify the score, as this is done when the second referee confirms set/match point to the first referee.

4. Rule Changes • Rule 5-4-4d:Clarifies the protocol and whistle sequence for the referees prior to the deciding set. • R1 whistles, signals end-of-set and directs the team to their benches. • R2 double whistles and raises coin in air to signal captains to come near the table for coin toss. • After completing the coin toss, R2 communicates results to R1 (serving team and appropriate sides). • R1 whistles and gives the signal indicating whether teams will remain on the same side or change courts.

5. Rule Changes • Rule 5-4-4e:The second referee shall initial the scoresheet after each set and for final verification of match results. • Rationale: It is more efficient for the second referee, when verifying the set score, to verify the match results at the same time. It is not necessary to have the second referee wait for the first referee to travel the court and verify match results.

6. Rule Changes • Rule 9-2-1:The use of electronic communication devices is permitted during the match; however, they may not be used for any review of a referee’s decision. • Rationale: Technology is very accessible, and officials should not be responsible for monitoring who is using electronic devices in various locations in the venue.

7. Rule Changes • Rule 11-4-2:A special time-out of 3 minutes may be called by the referee when a team has an injured player, no time-outs remaining, and no legal/exceptional substitutes available. • Rationale: Provides an additional opportunity for a team with only six players to continue playing with a full complement of players after all avenues of substitutions are exhausted. • If the player cannot continue after the special time-out, the team must play shorthanded for the remainder of the set. • Only one special time-out is permitted per match.

8. Rule Changes THE BIG ONE! • Rule 5-2:The order in which the referees display the hand signals is changed to indicate the result of the rally, followed by the fault. Specific mechanics shall apply for second referee-initialed calls. • Rationale: This allows the scorer to record the score immediately and then prepare for other responsibilities such as recording time-outs, substitutions, etc.

9. Rule Changes • Calls by the R1 – When the R1 initiates the call, they will indicate the result of the play and then indicate the fault and the player at fault, if necessary. • Calls by the R2 – When the R2 initiates the call, they will indicate the fault and the player at fault, if necessary. The R1 will then indicate the result of the play, followed by the fault and the player at fault, if necessary. The R2 will mirror the result of the play but will not indicate the fault a second time.

10. Editorial Changes • Rule 5-5-3a:When the second referee provides assistance to the first referee on plays that may be out of the view of the first referee, such assistance is provided with a visual, informal signal and not a whistle. • Rule 5-7-3b: At the beginning of each time-out, the libero tracker shall inform the second referee of a team’s libero status.

11. Editorial Changes • Rule 5-8-3b:Both the second referee and the official scorer will now time the 30-second injury time-out without use of the visible scoreboard • Rule 5-9-4-2:In 2014, flags shall be used by line judges, unless determined by the state association to use hand signals. • Rule 11-4-1:Either referee may stop play in the event of an injured/ill player.

12. Points of Emphasis • Expectation of Properly Trained Assistant Officials:The host school needs to assure that all assistant officials (scorer, libero tracker, timer, and line judges) are properly trained in advance. This will help keep the match flowing smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays. • Legal and Properly-Worn Uniforms/Equipment: Coaches need to educate their players on legal items and ensure that players are properly and legally equipped before verifying this at the coaches’ meeting.

13. Points of Emphasis • Mastering Officials’ Mechanics: Knowledge of the rules and mechanics of the officials signals is key for communication as well as exhibiting confidence. Referees should take time each season to review the signals and practice their timing when using the signal sequence. • There are several changes in the mechanics and the sequence of hand signals that officials must master in order to be a positive factor in the match as this new season opens.

14. NFHS Rule Changes2013-2014 Tina Spann Northeast Volleyball Officials’ Association