Contact below the waist

[Todd <tdh@vbref.org>]

microx@erols.com writes:
> 
> Is it legal for the ball to hit you below your waist? I was told that
> there was a new rule this year that it is legal for a ball to hit you
> below the waist(ie. like a kick save in hockey). If this is true can
> you
> tell me the exact wording of the rule and where to find it?

Welcome to rec.sport.volleyball!

This is a frequently asked question.  Please consult
http://www.volleyball.org/rsv_faq.html for answers to this and other
common questions.  Or, visit my refereeing web page listed below for
other rules-related items.

The answer is....it is legal under USA Volleyball and FIVB rule to hit
the ball with any part of your body.  The only exception is in outdoor
6-person competition in which you can't contact the ball with anything
below your knee.

1997 USAV indoor rules: 
        14.4.1.  The ball may touch any part of the body.

1997 USAV outdoor rules
13.4.1 A player may touch the ball with any part of  the body.
        13.4.1.1 For Six-player competition only:  the ball may be
        touched with any part of the body on or above the knee.

Best Regards,
--
                  Todd H.   tdh@vbref.org
USAV Regional Referee, Great Lakes Region, Palatine, IL
Todd's Volleyball Referee Page http://www.io.com/~tdh/vball/
"So you're a Ref and an engineer? Oh that explains it...."