Additional 2006-07 Case Situations

BACK-ROW PLAYER – COLLECTIVE BLOCK

SITUATION: A back-row player from Team A approaches the net along with a front row player and attempts to block a ball coming from the opponent. Both the back-row and front row players are close to the net and shoulder to shoulder in what appears to be a possible collective block. As the ball crosses the net (a) some part of the hands of both players are above the height of the net as the ball is contacted by the front row player; (b) some part of the hands of both players start out above the height of the net but when the front row player contacts the ball the back-row player is no longer above the height of the net; (c) both players attempt to block the ball but the back-row player never gets higher than the top of the net, but the front row player does block the ball. The official blows the whistle and signals an illegal block in (a). In (b) and (c) the official lets play continue. RULING: In (a) correct procedure. Both players met the conditions of being close to the net, reaching higher than the net and deflecting the ball. Both players were above the height of the net at the moment of contact with the ball. In (b) and (c) correct procedure. Although the back-row player was close to the net, he/she was not above the height of the net at the moment of contact when the ball was deflected by the front row player who was above the height of the net. Therefore the back-row player was not participating in a collective block. Play continues in (b) and (c) and Team A has three allowable hits unless the block prevented the ball from crossing the net. (9-5-1c, 9-5-1c 1-3)

REPLACEMENT WITH A REPLAY

SITUATION: During a tournament with pool play competition, two adjacent courts are being utilized for play. Just as the RB on Team S is ready to serve following the referee's signal for serve a ball from the Court 2 rolls onto Court 1 receiving team's court. The referee blows the whistle to stop play and signals "replay." Before the next signal to serve (a) Team S has a replacement for the libero who just legally entered the court before the replay was called and is now the second replacement or (b) Team S has a replacement for the libero who has been in the game for the previous two rallies. RULING: (a) is an illegal replacement as this is an attempted second replacement during the same dead ball. Legal in (b) providing this is the first replacement during this dead ball.

SITUTATION: During a rally a ball rolls onto the court and the referee stops play and signals a "replay." At the beginning of this rally Team R had a libero replacement. Prior to the referee's signal to serve on the replay Team R has a replacement. The referee (a) blows the whistle and stops play for an illegal replacement; or (b) observes the replacement and signals for serve. RULING: Incorrect procedure in (a). Correct procedure in (b). COMMENT: In (a) the first replacement legally took place during a dead ball. A new rally was started but ended in a replay, thus the ball is now dead after becoming live before the replay. With a live ball a new replacement could occur and the official should not have called an illegal replacement. (10-4-2, 9-8)

BLOCK

SITUATION: The RF on Team R is attempting to block. She goes up too late and the ball crosses the net and is touched by the RF. The player was close to the top of the net but not certain if above the height of the net at the moment of contact with the ball. Thinking she was below the net the team plays the ball assuming they have two hits remaining. The coach is upset and expresses concern that the official should have signaled if he/she was going to view the play as a block or no block. RULING: Correct procedure by official. COMMENT: The official's responsibilities are to observe the play, determine if there is a block, and to continue to judge the remaining play action. It is not the responsibility of the official to informally communicate when there is a block. Teams and individual players must continue play based on what they believe has occurred.

COACHING PRIVILEGE TO STAND

SITUATION: A school has officially designated co-head coaches. While attending the prematch conference, they request that each coach be able to stand. (12-2-6) The referee indicates only one "head" coach may stand under Rule 12-2-6 and that such coach shall be identified prior to the start of the match. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The rule is intended for only one coach to stand. In this situation once the coach is identified to have the privilege to stand he/she shall maintain that privilege for the entire match providing conditions of the rule are met. The second coach may not stand. (12-2-6)

JEWELRY OBSERVED DURING WARMUPS

SITUATION: During the prematch conference the referee reminds the captains and head coaches that jewelry shall not be worn by the rostered players and this includes warmups. As teams are warming up the referee observes player 7 wearing a necklace and player 12 wearing what appears to be a medical alert necklace. The referee tells player 7 to remove the necklace immediately and no further action is taken. Upon confirming the medical alert necklace with player 12 the referee instructs the player to tape the necklace to his/her body and the alert may be visible. RULING: Correct procedure in (a) and (b). COMMENT: Jewelry is not permitted to be worn by a player including warmups. Preventative officiating shall be used during warmups with no penalty unless the player, teammates or coaches react to the official's directions with unsporting conduct. (12-2-1) If player 7 attempted to enter the game with jewelry unnecessary delay would be assessed to the team. The medical alert necklace is not considered jewelry and may be worn but must be taped to the body. (4-2-6, Penalties)