USAV Rule Changes for 1997-98

[Todd <tdh@vbref.org>]

Taken from the 1997-98 rule books.  The prose in the outdoor rule book
continues to disappoint me, but there are some interesting and
significant changes.  I'm happy to see that there was an attempt to
get the referees out of the "intent judging" business regarding sets
sent over the net.

todd


USA Volleyball 1997-98 Significant Rule Changes


Indoor
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None.



Outdoor
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Rules 4.1. and 4.1.2 have been interchanged which is an editorial
change only.

The change in Rules 7.2.1. and 7.2.2. is a further clarification of
scoring and brings our Rules in accordance with the FIVB rules.

A change was made for Doubles and Triples Competition only in Rules
13.1.3 and 18.4.1 that now states that blocking DOES constitute a team
contact, and any player may make the second contact of the ball
after the block.  This change brings our rules into accord with the
FIVB and other sanctioning groups.  The Rule for Four-Player and
Six-Player Competition DID NOT change and the block does NOT
constitute a team contact.

A clarification should be pointed out for all Beach Volleyball
competition, that Rules 13.2.1.1 and 13.2.1 allow for simultaneous
contact by teammates which is counted as one contact and any player
may make the second contact.

Rule 13.2.3 now allows a joust to be legal for all types of
competition including Four-Player and Six-Player competition.

Rule 13.4.1 now allows the player in Six-Player competition to touch
the ball with any part of the body.

Rule 13.4.3.1 now allows a "beach dig" to be allowed during the
defensive play of a hard-driven ball in Four-Player and Six-Player
competition.  

The change in Rule 13.4.5 is an attempt to take intent out of the Rule
and judge legality only if there is sufficient wind to be a factor in
the play.  For example, if the wind is blowing into the team's court
and a legal set is sent over the net, then that would be judged a
fault.  Conversely, if the wind is blowing in the same direction and
the other team's set crosses over the net, it would not be judged a
fault.

Rule 16.6 allows for one service attempt and it has been adopted by
all other governing bodies and makes our Rules in accordance with
those bodies.

The change in Rule 21.1.2 is to clarify the handling of a situation of
an injured player.  It was reworded to amplify and to eliminate
confusion.