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2011-12 NFHS Volleyball Rules Book Corrections

Page 48 – Points of Emphasis #4 Suspended Net Systems, line 5 should read:

"A system also having poles on one side of the net used to retract the system may result in a replay when contacted by the ball. are also considered playable obstructions.

Page60 - #1 Illegal Alignment/Improper Server/Inaccurate Lineup

HOSTING A “PINK” EVENT

UNIFORM:    Since volleyball does not have home and away uniforms, either or both teams may wear pink. Uniforms must meet NFHS requirements (Rule 4-2) including legally positioned numbers (Rule 4-2-4).    If a pink ribbon symbol is to be included on the jersey the dimensions must meet the requirements of Rule 4-2-10; maximum of 4 square inches.    No advertising is allowed on the uniform.

SOCKS, SHOES, AND WRISTBANDS: Are not covered by NFHS/WIAA rules so may be pink.

FUND RAISING: See the following from the Eligibility Q & A Q.: I am a high school girls basketball coach. Our girls basketball team would like to hold a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society this coming season and I just want to check that how we plan on doing it will not violate any WIAA rules. Here's our plan, our fundraiser will be based on how many free throws the girls varsity team makes during the season. Each player will solicit funds or donations based on the free throw made. People could donate a lump some or could donate X amount per free throw made. As an example last year we made 205 free throws, if you pledged a dollar per free throw, you would be donating $205 at year end for the team to donate to the American Cancer Society. No funds are kept by or for the team. A.: While we appreciate the causes which our schools and athletes support, I recommend that you find a different method to raise funds. The Board of Control has made it clear that fundraisers connected to performance in competition are NOT allowed. Both from the sportsmanship perspective, as well as from the “paid to perform” and or gaming/gambling end of things, it is a not a good idea and not allowed. Your plan would be allowed in a practice setting.

LIBERO JERSEYS

The NFHS, along with the NCAA, has tightened the color and design of the libero jersey in order to provide better identification of the libero. The following is the new language:

NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2016, the libero shall wear a uniform top that is immediately recognized from all angles as being in clear contrast to and distinct from the other members of the team. The libero and/or his/her teammates shall wear a solid colored uniform top. Regarding the solid colored top:

a.    The solid color uniform top shall clearly contrast from the predominant primary color(s) of the teammates’ uniform top. Predominant color(s) is the color(s) appearing on approximately half of the uniform.

b.    Sleeves shall be the same color as the body of the uniform top.

c.    Piping/trim not exceeding 1 inch in total at its widest point may be placed along the seams and may be a different color(s) than the uniform top.

d.    Lettering and collars may be different color(s) than the uniform top. e.    Numbers shall be a contrasting color to the uniform top and meet all other specifications in Rule 2-

VOL. 6 – 10/1/12

QUESTION 1    Each player is allowed to play in 5 sets in a night and it could be some on JV and some on Varsity.  A team we played early in the year had a player play 2 games on JV and then 3 on Varsity.  In our conference, we play a 4th game if a team wins 3-0.  What if the team we played had that same player play in game 4 of varsity for his 6th game of the night.  Is that allowed since game 4 was considered an exhibition game?  When we approached the officials about this they told us it was not their responsibility to track this.  If that is the case, then who is responsible for tracking the amount of games each player plays in?
ANSWER    The “exhibition” set would count against the maximum of number of sets allowed (5).  The official is correct that they are not responsible to track that information since not all officials are working both levels of competition (JV and varsity).  Schools are expected to follow the regulations.  In most cases the scorekeeper catches the violation or its discovered after-the-fact by the violating school’s coach or the opposing coach.  

QUESTION 2    Can headbands have multiple logos on them in volleyball.  I cannot find that in the rule book.  The last I remember is single color, no more that 2" wide and I thought no more than one logo.  I cannot find anything to that nature in the rule book.  Can you clarify please.
ANSWER    Please refer to NFHS Rule 4-1-5 .  The NFHS does not address logos on headbands so there isn’t a restriction on the number or size.

QUESTION 3    Some coaches are reporting their players are being called for stepping over the centerline.  The officials are calling that illegal.  When asked the officials state that the players cannot step over the centerline.  Please clarify
ANSWER    Legal.  Rule 9-5-7; “A player may touch the floor across the center line with one or both feet/hands provided a part of the foot/feet or hand(s) remains on or above the center line.  Contacting the floor across the center line with any other part of the body is illegal.”

QUESTION 4    If the libero sets the ball in front of the attack line and it crosses the net is it a back row attack, does the height of the ball make a difference in this circumstance??
ANSWER    9-5-6; "A libero shall not:  b) Set the ball using overhand finger action while on or in front of the attack line extended, resulting in a completed attack above the height of the net."
         PENALTY:  backrow attack  

QUESTION 5    Please clarify what the ball shaggers can and cant wear during the pregame warm-ups.  I know few years ago there was something about no jewelry and the correct type of shoes.  I had a V coach the other night ask what they can and cant do.  In a previous match his V squad ball shagged for the JV game and the set officials told them they had to be in uniform to do that.  I said, I do not think so, used to be no jewelry and wear tennis shoes.  What is the proper protocol for ball shaggers during the JV/V matches?
ANSWER    Players shagging balls during warm-ups are expected to be jewelry free and wearing appropriate footwear.  Also no cell phones or MP3 players.  
You are correct that this was a point of emphasis several seasons ago.

QUESTION 6    Reflective tape on the eyelid used as eye shadow . . . legal?  We all thought it was glitter, but it isn't really.
ANSWER    Provided make-up does not have the potential to come off on the ball it would be legal.

QUESTION 7    I'm R2.  The coach comes over to me and says fans behind the bench are making nasty comments to and about her girls, which I can't hear.  Is there anything I do about this?  What do I say to her?
ANSWER    This is a game management issue.  Please refer to 12-3; “When a spectator becomes unruly or interferes with the orderly progress of the set, the first referee shall suspend the set until the host management resolves the situation and the set can proceed in an orderly manner.”

QUESTION 8    The server bounces the ball before the whistle.  After the whistle, she backspins the ball into the air, lets it bounce in front of her, and then tosses it for her serve.  Is this grounds for a reserve?  This is her consistent way of serving.
ANSWER    Provided the serve takes place within the 5 second allowance this would be legal.  (8-1-1)

QUESTION 9    At what point should the officials call a replay because of a perceived injury?  Is it okay to call a replay after the ball is dead because it hit the floor while someone was sitting on the floor and couldn't get to the ball because of a possible injury?  (She went out for the next play, but was back in a couple of plays later.)
ANSWER    Please refer to the list of replay situations in Rule 9-8-1.  In the situation you’ve described, player on the floor unable to play the ball because of a possible injury.  

QUESTION 10    Recently officials match prohibited players from shaking the opposing coach's hand during the introductions.  Please clarify if this is allowed or not.
ANSWER    In volleyball we have always allowed this display of sportsmanship.

QUESTION 11    Is there a limit on roster spots for a varsity team?  10? 15? 25?  
ANSWER    I'm not sure if you are referring to the regular season or the WIAA Tournament series.  During the regular season schools may determine their own roster size.  I would advise checking to see if your conference has any restriction on roster size.
       During the WIAA tournament series the roster is limited to 15 players, but the roster may change from one tournament match to the next.

VOL. 5 – 9/17/12

QUESTION 1    We ran into a situation this week regarding the determination of whether or not a libero attacked from the back court illegally.  We were told that if there is an arc on the ball, then it is legal.  Is that always the case?  How are officials taught to determine whether or not the libero is above the height of the net upon contact?  
ANSWER    The NFHS official's manual simply states that the R1 has primary responsibility for calling illegal back row attacks.  In the past, when the libero was first introduced as a position player there was discussion about the height of the libero in relation to the height of the net, jumping ability, and that officials should carefully watch warm-ups to determine if there was the potential for an illegal backrow attack by the libero.

I am not aware of the arc of the ball being a determination, but we have several officials clinics going on around the state and most likely this was a "tip" offered by one of the clinicians.

QUESTION 2    I need something cleared up... Rule 10-4-5 talks about the Libero rotating to the server position while she is already on the court.  I've always been under the impression that the player that is coming back into the game for the Libero (when the Libero is staying in to serve) should be rotating to the front row.  Tonight in our match, the player that came back in for the Libero (while the Libero went to serve) stayed in the back row. Is this a correct procedure? Or does that player (coming back in for the Libero) indeed have to be rotating to the front row?  Can you clarify this for me?
ANSWER    It may be unusual to have the replacement come into the LB position since that person would need to receive and play defense, but it is legal.

QUESTION 3    I had already signaled for serve when the head coach from XYZ asked the R2 for a line-up check.  While R2 attempted to grant it, I ignored it as I had already blown the whistle for service.  
The coaches response was to direct his server to toss the ball and let it drop in order to be granted a replay.  That way he felt he could request the line-up check.  I also refused the line-up check after the replay because based upon 8.1.6 SITUATION B -- because it's considered a single attempt at serving, no requests such as a time-out, substitution or replacement, etc., can be recognized.  A re-serve is not the same as a replay.  
ANSWER    The coach in question called the WIAA office this morning regarding this issue.  This is not exactly how the coach described the situation.  He explained that the server tossed the ball up and caught or let the ball drop.  The correct server then went to the server’s line to serve.  This would be legal.  Its referenced in the Case Book, 8.1.6, sit. C.  Although slightly different, it alludes to the legality of a re-serve occurring, which then allowed for the correct server to take position.  I was not aware that he had tried to request a line-up check.  A re-serve cannot be used for a line-up check, but it could be used to allow for the correct server to move into the server position.

QUESTION 4    Is there a game limit for a player that swings between JV and V or Frosh and JV?
ANSWER    Please refer to the Volleyball Season Regulations:   
7. INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION LIMITATIONS
a.    A student may not participate in more than 15 contests and no more than seven of the 15 may be multiple-school contests (involving total of more than two teams).
b.    It is strongly recommended that a student participate at only one level (varsity or nonvarsity) on the same day.
c.    A student who participates at multiple levels on the same day may not play in more than the equivalent of five sets if the varsity match is a three-out-of-five set match.
d.    Participating in only one play constitutes one allowed set.
e.    It is not the responsibility of contest officials to enforce the rule related to maximum participation by students who participate on multiple levels on the same day.  Schools must report violations to the WIAA following competition.  Violations are considered in the same manner as a school using an ineligible student.  The minimum penalty for such violations is forfeiture of match(es) in which the participant exceeded the maximum.
f.     It is strongly recommended that a student who is a varsity starter or leading reserve not play at the nonvarsity level.

QUESTION 5    Do JV third games go to 25 or 15?  Or is this a conference rule?
ANSWER    The format for sub-varsity is determined by the conference or host school.

QUESTION 6    Questions continue regarding the legality of spandex such as this worn as the shorts for a volleyball uniform.

 
ANSWER    The spandex you reference, if worn as the uniform bottoms would be illegal since they have more than 1 manufacturer’s logo.  (RULE 4-2-9)  I’m guessing that officials are saying they’re legal because your players are wearing their jerseys over the waistband so it doesn’t show.  If someone, an official or an opposing coach wants to enforce the rule these shorts are illegal.  The WIAA does not condone officials asking players to lift their shirts to show the official the shorts’ waistband, but if a player’s jersey just barely covers the waistband it will show frequently during play.  As the head coach you are asked at the pre-match conference to verify that your players are legally attired.   Players also roll the waistbands of their shorts, which is not necessarily illegal but if it results in the manufacturer’s multiple logos showing it would again be a violation of 4-2-9.

QUESTION 7    I have observed many teams continue to conduct a huddle prior to R2 checking the line-up, which results in a delay of the start of the match.  I thought this was a point of emphasis this year.  Why aren’t officials enforcing this?
ANSWER    Coaches should explain the ruling to their players to help facilitate compliance with the rule.  Officials should be enforcing this during the regular season as well as the WIAA tournament.

QUESTION 8    Is it legal for our boys’ volleyball team to wear uniforms that are identical to our current except they are sleeveless?  They look like a boys’ basketball top but are identical to our tops with short sleeves, but they do not have sleeves.
ANSWER    Legal.

QUESTION 9    In order to speed up the matches, we started at 4-4 (still have to win 2 out of 3).  Could the records still be used for seeding purposes and seeding records?  The matches are played to 25 points.
ANSWER    No.  If you start at 4 points you are not playing a legitimate 25 point set.  This appears to be a way to circumvent the system.  No one starts counting at 4.  The first point scored should always be 1.
From the Volleyball Season Regulations:
NATIONAL FEDERATION ALLOWED ADAPTATIONS
a. Match – A match may consist of a two-out-of-three or a three-out-of-five set match for both varsity and nonvarsity competition (Rule 1-7-1).  All conference varsity volleyball matches (dual, triangulars, and quadrangulars) will be rally score, three-out-of-five to 25 points, no cap.  If a fifth and determining set is played it will be rally score to 15 points, no cap, the exception to this format could be invitational and conference tournaments.
Recommended formats for invitational tournaments could include:
1) Best of five, rally score to 25, fifth set rally score to 15, with or without caps.
2) Best of three, rally score to 25, third set rally score to 15, with or without caps.
Note: The conference (if a conference meet) or the host school (if a nonconference meet) shall determine if exhibition sets in either a two-out-of-three or a three-out-of-five set match will be played even though not necessary to determine the match winner.
Only matches played in a two-out-of-three or three-out-of-five format may be included for seeding purposes and season records.

QUESTION 10    Are hair extensions permissible during match play?  My girls are doing an epilepsy awareness event and would like to get purple hair extensions.
ANSWER    If the extensions are attached with something metal they would not be legal.  (Rule 4-1-5)

VOL. 4 – 9/7/12

ANSWER    Legal.  Please refer to the Case Book, page 22, 6.4.3, sit. G, diagram c.   LB is closer to the centerline than CF which is legal provided LB is not overlapping with LF or CB.  

VOL. 3 – 8/30/12

ANSWER    Legal.  

VOL. 2 – 8/24/12

QUESTION 1    I received a question from an official in our Association.  He was asking if the WIAA has a position on the use of a handheld device (I'm assuming an iPhone/Android) that has an app on it that would replicate a lineup card versus the official using an actual lineup card.  
ANSWER    I’m not familiar with an app for line-ups.  At this time, I would say no to its use.

QUESTION 2    Nowhere in the case and rule book does it say which official is responsible for touches above the net.  On a play that took place in front of me (R1), my partner called a touch, not seen by me. She did not get a players number.  It would seem to me that the down official should be looking for net faults and foot faults during net play, not have eyes above the net.  Perhaps I am wrong.  Please clarify this.

ANSWER    Please refer to page 59 of the Case Book.  This section is actually the Manual.  Here you will find a diagram showing the areas each referee is responsible.  Additionally, a sentence from the last paragraph on that page; “When the ball is in play near the net, the first referee concentrates on the top of the net downward.”  If you go to page 61 the last paragraph; “During net play, the second referee must focus on the center line and net area by first looking from the center line, up to the net, look for touches on the blockers or hitters, down the net and back to the center line.”  My interpretation is that you are partially correct, but the 2nd referee also has responsibility for touches.

QUESTION 3    What is the rule for playing music during tournament time? The last two years, once in volleyball and once in basketball, we had an official tell us we can not play music during time-outs and between games.  If this is the case...why is this the only rule that changes from the regular season to post season?
ANSWER    I can't speak for basketball but I have never heard of officials telling the band that they can't play during time-outs or between sets.  Whether its regular season or tournament time, there is no such rule.

QUESTION 4    When a team has co-coaches, I understand that only 1 coach is designated/permitted to stand during a game.  But can they rotate every other game?  So game 1, Coach A stands.  Game 2, Coach B stands.  Game 3, Coach A.  Etc.?
ANSWER    I’ve advised in the past that if a team has co-coaches, only 1 coach should be designated as the “head” coach for the entire match, thus having the ability to stand to coach.

QUESTION 5    Is there any rules that allow volleyball players to play more then 5 games in an evening for a dual match? Similar to the 5-quarter rule in basketball.  We have low numbers and we were trying to see if there is anything we could do to allow more athletes to participate.
ANSWER    Volleyball does not have a waiver in place to allow for more than 5 sets during a dual match.  With most sub varsity teams playing best 2 out of 3, coaches should be able to work out a system with their line-up so that the sub varsity players will still have sets left for the varsity match before they reach the maximum of 5 sets.

QUESTION 6    Do we continue to allow the teams to shake hands at the net after the last game in a match?  In the rule book they want us to dismiss the teams from the court to the sidelines right after the last game of the match?
ANSWER    Rule 5-3-4e directs the R1 to “…visually confirm the score, blow the whistle and release the players.”  In Wisconsin, stressing good sportsmanship is important.  Teams are encouraged to shake hands following release by the R1.

QUESTION 7    One of the new rules for this year is about media time outs. Local Associations are to decide length and number of time outs.  Has the WIAA come up with a ruling on this matter?
ANSWER    Wisconsin has not approved the state adoption of media time-outs so no one should encounter these during the season.  

QUESTION 8    I have an athlete with a subdermal implant.  Is it legal?  What about if it has a stud attached to it?
ANSWER    Subdermal implants are legal provided no part of the extension protrudes through the skin.  In the first picture below, the implant would be legal.  In the second picture (actually a microdermal implant), because of the extension through the skin, the implant would not be legal.
 

QUESTION 9    I have a player who is using rubber inserts to enlarge her ears.  Since these are not metal, is she allowed to keep them in during a match or cover them with tape?

ANSWER    Not allowed.  Players are not allowed to keep foreign objects in their earlobes during warm-ups or a match.  It is also prohibited to keep jewelry on and cover it with tape.  It would be recommended however tape the enlarged earlobe to the neck to keep it from getting caught on something during play.  Many times this is allowed at the middle school level because middle school conferences are picking and choosing which rules to enforce.  When athletes play at the senior high level all rules must be enforced.

ANSWER    As per NFHS Rules; “4-1-6:  Jewelry shall not be worn by players during warm-ups and /or competition.”   Placing tape over the earrings is not acceptable.