Rule Changes To Note for 2008 Volleyball Season
August 27, 2008 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2008
Volleyball fans may have noticed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics that indoor volleyball games went to 25 points rather than 30, like the NCAA game. That is just one of the rule changes in store for the 2008 NCAA volleyball season.
Rule Changes
Coaches Position. When the ball is in play, coaches will be asked to stay at least 1.75 meters from the court's sideline. An imaginary line perpendicular to the outside edge of the extended attack line indicates this distance. If a coach doesn't comply, the referees may assess a team delay sanction.
Terminology. The term "game" will be changed to "set". A match still consists of the best three out of five sets.
Points Required to Win a Set. Instead of 30 points, the number of points needed to win sets one through four is now 25 (and a two-point lead). Fifteen points (and a two-point lead) is still the requirement to win the fifth (deciding) set.
Substitutions. Each team is now allowed a maximum of 12 substitutions per set.
Points of Emphasis Ball Handling Decisions. In recent years, referee training has emphasized focusing on the player's contact point with the ball, and not allowing outside influences, such as spin after release, to influence ball handling decisions. A 2008 point of emphasis regarding the second team contact now instructs referees to only call multiple contacts that are obvious enough to be readily seen, and to be less severe when judging extremely athletic plays.
