Hola! Buenos Dais! Ever have trouble drawing the line? Well I’m here to help you cross (or not cross) that barrier with a dose of common net and line violations in our Indoor Volleyball Leagues!
What is a Net Violation?
Touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play is a net violation.
Players are allowed to touch the posts, ropes or any other object outside the antennae or court lines as long as it does not interfere with the play. Players are not allowed to touch the part of the antennae that is above the top of the net.
If the ball is driven into the net causing the net to touch an opponent, it is not a fault.
*New* Net Contact Rules
A player is allowed to touch the net as long as it does not interfere with the play. Interference includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Touching the top band of the net or the top 80 cm of the antenna during his/her action of playing the ball.
- Taking support from the net simultaneously while playing the ball.
- Creating an advantage over the opponent.
- Making actions which hinder an opponent's legitimate attempt to play the ball.
What is a Line Violation?
When serving: Stepping on or across the service line as you make contact with the serve is a line violation.
When at the net: Players are permitted to penetrate into the opponent’s space across the centre line, as long as they do not interfere with the opponent’s play. This includes feet (provided that some part of the penetrating foot remains in contact with the centre line) and any part of the body above the feet.
*Players need to be as cautious as possible when crossing under the plane of the net, so as to avoid injury to themselves or their opponent*
When is the ball considered In or Out?
A ball hitting a boundary line is IN.
A ball is OUT if it hits an antennae, the ground completely outside the court, any of the net or cables outside the antennae, the ceiling, or the post/supports.
Players are to call balls in or out of bounds. If there is a dispute, resume play by re-serving the ball with no point awarded.
What else do you need to know?
Nets should be set to the highest setting unless otherwise stated in the EC court notes. If you are concerned about the net height, please talk to the EC at your court.
If a serve touches the net on the way over, the ball is in play.
Reaching beyond the net: When blocking, a blocker may touch the ball beyond the net, provided that he/she does not interfere with the opponents' play. A player is permitted to pass his/her hand beyond the net after an attack hit, provided that the contact has been made within his/her own playing space. You can penetrate the plane of the net to block a spike. However; if a setter is trying to set his player, you can't reach over the net and block that set. If you are spiking the ball, your hand can cross the net as long as you start the contact on your own side.
Obvious fouls are: carries, double hits, touching the net, going under the net and contacting another player
For a comprehensive outline of our Rules, check out our Rulebook for Indoor Volleyball!
Adios Amigos!
