2007-08 Volleyball Points of Emphasis

1. BODY OF NUMBER AND/OR SURROUNDING TRIM CAN MAKE UNIFORM NUMBER CLEARLY VISIBLE

A surrounding trim (border) or shadow border on part of the uniform number is legal providing trim colors are solid and do not exceed ½ inch at its widest measurement. The number must always be clearly visible and at least ¾ inch wide at its narrowest width. The body of the number or trim (border) must be made of a sharp contrasting color to the uniform top. When using a contrasting color trim for number visibility, it must completely surround the number. A shadow on part of the number, even if a sharp contrasting color, shall not make the uniform number legal. Therefore, this design requires the body of the number to be of a solid color in contrast to the uniform top.

2. UNIFORMS: BARE MIDRIFF TOPS ARE ILLEGAL

Uniforms must still be worn as intended by the manufacturer. Certain restrictions have been added to this rule to become more appropriate for interscholastic teams. Bare midriff tops are not allowed. The uniform top must hang below or be tucked into the waistband of the bottom of the uniform when the player is standing upright. The committee recognizes that the uniform top may not stay tucked in during play. This rule is intended to determine the legality of a uniform prior to play.

3. OFFICIALS UNIFORM

Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year the state association adoption in Rule 5-1-2 Note permitting a modification to the officials uniforms shall be deleted. The officials' uniform will be an all white short sleeved collared polo shirt, black slacks, solid black athletic shoes and black socks. A "new Note" addresses the potential need of the individual state association to allow the wearing of black shorts to accommodate extreme hot, humid weather conditions in the early part of the season.

4. LIBERO ALLOWED TO SERVE

The libero may replace the player in the right back position in the service order. The libero may only serve in one position in the serving order. If the libero is in the game immediately prior to moving to a serving position there does not have to be a rally between libero replacements if the libero serves the next rally. When the libero is going to serve it is good preventative officiating for the umpire to turn and verbally inform the scorer, "libero serving."

5. PLAYER ACTIONS INVOLVING LIBERO

Rule 9-5-6b has been clarified to state that it is illegal for the libero to set the ball with overhand finger action on or in front of the attack line extended if the result is a completed attack above the height of the net. The completed attack may be the result of a teammate or from the libero sending the ball over the net. It is not illegal if the attack is not completed.

6. LINEUP TO BE SUBMITTED IN PROPER SERVE ORDER

The written lineup is now to be submitted in the proper serving order. The lineup sheet should list the player numbers in the serving order. The lineup should not be submitted in floor position order. The submission of the lineup in serving order should help the scorer in recording the proper serving order in the scoresheet. The first server should always be listed first on the lineup sheet, regardless of whether the team is serving or receiving. Umpires must identify the serving and receiving teams when transferring this information to their lineup card to then verify the team's proper lineup by floor position prior to the start of each game. The libero must still be designated and listed on the lineup sheet as an additional player.

SAMPLE LINEUP SHEET:

7. LIBERO REPLACEMENT CLARIFICATIONS

Rule 6-3-Penalty 2 added, "an illegal replacement found in the game," to the rule and the language in the penalty. When an illegal replacement is found in the game the offending team is assessed the penalty for illegal alignment resulting in a loss of rally/point being awarded as soon as the illegal replacement is discovered and verified.

The term 'libero replacement' was added to the list of requests that are not to be granted once the referee's signal for re-serve has been given.

Rule 10-4-2c states that the replacement may only take place while the ball is out of play and before the whistle/signal for serve rather than at contact of serve. A re-serve is considered as one attempt to serve the ball.

Rule 10-4-3 adds the statement that a replacement can occur after a time-out when all players have returned to the court provided the replacement sits out one rally/dead ball. The restriction prohibits the replacement from taking place during the time-out when the team(s) are not on the court.

8. MUSIC/SOUND EFFECTS/ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS

The use of artificial noisemakers is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to thunder sticks, sirens, soda cans with coins, cowbells, etc. Host management may permit music/sound effects which shall only be allowed during pre-match, time-outs, intermission between games and post-match. Spectator/player shouting, clapping and cheerleaders with megaphones used as intended are permitted under the criteria of this rule.

9. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RESTRICTED IN MAKING GAME DECISIONS

Rule 5-1-2 was updated to include electronic equipment to the list of devices that are prohibited to be used by officials during a match when making decisions related to games. With the advancement of technology the previous restrictions were not keeping pace with new equipment. As in the past, all restricted items are also prohibited should a coach request to review an official's decision and suggest to use electronic equipment for review of the decision.

10. REQUESTS MUST BE MADE BY HEAD COACH

Although not a rule change from previous application, the rule book has been updated to clearly identify the head coach's responsibilities and privileges. All areas of the rule book have been updated to specify head coach or assistant coach if a restriction is part of the rule. In addition to specifying that the head coach must attend the pre-match conference and the head coach may stand to provide instruction, the wording of "head" coach has been inserted to identify it is the head coach who requests a time-out and substitutions.

11. MECHANICS AND SIGNAL CHANGE FOR POINT

The official's signal #17 has been changed. At the completion of any rally or penalty point awarded, the official shall extend the forearm horizontally toward the team to have the next serve with palm perpendicular to the floor. This signal should be held long enough for the scorer to acknowledge the winner of the rally and proper recording of the point, but the arm must then be dropped to the side of the official prior to raising the arm in preparation to whistle and signal for serve. The mechanics shall be whistle, signal violation, signal point (with the new signal). With rally scoring it is no longer necessary to signal point as the end of any rally always results in point for the team being awarded the next serve. This signal is also now similar to other rule codes.

12. UNNECESSARY DELAY OR ILLEGAL ALIGNMENT FOR REPLACEMENT

Unnecessary delay is charge to the offending team when an illegal libero replacement takes place before the next service contact. If the illegal replacement is found in the game after service contact illegal alignment results. The libero replacement must take place before the whistle/signal for serve if it is to be considered legal.

13. JEWELRY DURING WARM-UPS

For the purpose of risk minimization players may not wear jewelry in warm-ups or competition. If a player is discovered wearing jewelry during warm-ups the official will direct the player to remove the jewelry. If the player does not comply the player will be charged with unsporting conduct. Ultimately the coach is responsible for being sure the players do not report to the court for warm-ups or competition wearing jewelry and that each player is properly attired.