Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications 2009
Corrections to Rules Book: Page 19, 5-3-3c(21) change rule reference in parentheses to 5-3-4d; page 56, #23 change to End of Set
Corrections to Case Book and Manual: page 24, Situation 6.3.5 in the second line change “game” to “set;” page 37, Situation 10.4.4A in last line change “game” to “set.”
Corrections to Preseason Guide: page 10, “Ball Handling” column 2 on line 5 change “composite” to “collective” block
SITUATION 1: At the start of the match, No. 5 on Team S is listed as the first server on the submitted lineup and the scorebook. The R2 (in error) verifies that No. 5 is the proper first server. Following the third loss of service by Team S, No. 5 moves to the left front position where it is discovered that her uniform number is really No. 15. There is a No. 5 sitting on the Team S bench. RULING: Team S is charged unnecessary delay for illegal substitution. Points scored by Team S while No. 15 was in the LB position will be removed. No. 5 is placed on the court. Team R is now serving. (10-3 PEN 1, 2, 4; 10-4 PEN 1)
SITUATION 2: The first referee shall not permit a player to continue to play if the player has: (a) an excessive amount of blood on the uniform; (b) several wet spots of blood on the uniform; (c) a few dried spots of blood on the uniform. RULING: (a), (b) and (c) correct procedure. COMMENT: In (a), (b) and (c), the uniform must be cleaned or changed before the player can remain in/re-enter the match. (5-3-1)
SITUATION 3: Team A scores set point in the fourth set, forcing the fifth and deciding set for the match. The first referee whistled to stop play, signaled the violation and dropped his/her hand before signaling point to the opponent. R1 dropped his/her hand, whistled and signaled end of set (signal No. 23), sending the teams to the end lines for the end of set. With the score verified, the R1 used the accepted informal signal for captain and called the captains, who reported immediately for the coin toss. The R1, after calling the captains, whistled and then released the teams to their benches. The first referee requested the second referee to conduct the coin toss with the captains (one from each team). Based on the results of the coin toss and decisions by the captains, the R1 whistled and signaled to either release the teams to the same team bench or rotate sides. The first referee then visually directed the official timer to start the clock to time the three-minute interval between sets. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Rule 5-4-3d no longer requires the teams to remain on the end lines during the coin toss for the deciding set. However, the teams do report to the end lines at the completion of all sets but will be released to the team benches when a deciding set coin toss is involved. (5-3-4d)
SITUATION 4: When the officials arrive at the host school for a tournament using multiple courts and inspect the playing area, they note that the team benches are deep behind the end lines rather than at the side of the court. This is necessary due to space issues while using the multiple court layout. At the prematch conferences, the officials instruct the coaches and captains that the head coach may only stand in front of his/her bench due to the unusual team bench configuration. However, all substitutions and libero replacements shall take place as usual from the regular substitution and replacement zones. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Due to unusual gym configurations, existing primarily during tournaments using multiple courts, the officials may have the need to provide special instructions as to where the head coach may stand. In these situations, it should be in front of the team bench with subs and replacements occurring in the normal areas of the court.
SITUATION 5: During play, the R2 notices that the head coach of Team A is kneeling in front of the team bench. The coach is more than 6 feet back from the sideline and is within the replacement zone. He/she has not been restricted to sitting on the bench. The R2 plays on with no further action involving the coach of Team A. RULING: Correct procedure. (12-2-6)