October 1, 2003
NOTE: Use the following code to analyze these situations:
R = RECEIVING TEAM S = SERVING TEAM
R1 = RIGHT BACK S1 = RIGHT BACK
R2 = RIGHT FRONT S2 = RIGHT FRONT
R3 = CENTER FRONT S3 = CENTER FRONT
R4 = LEFT FRONT S4 = LEFT FRONT
R5 = LEFT BACK S5 = LEFT BACK
R6 = CENTER BACK S6 = CENTER BACK
1. The Team R libero is wearing a light gray uniform jersey, and the rest of the Team R players are in white jerseys. The referees determine that there is not enough contrast to easily identify the libero. What action should the referees take?
Answer: The libero will not be allowed to play unless she changes to an appropriate jersey. Rule 7-3-1, which requires the referees to check with the opposing coach regarding uniforms that do not comply with the rules, does not apply to the libero uniform issues. It is entirely the referee?s discretion as to whether or not the libero?s uniform meets the requirements of Rule 11-2-5-c. If it does not, the libero may not enter the game until the uniform problem is resolved.
2. The coach for Team S hands his Game 2 line-up directly to the scorekeeper with 30 seconds left in the interval between games. When the second referee checks the line-up with the players on the court, it is discovered that the coach listed #3 as both a starting player (center back), and as the libero. Player #3 is in a libero jersey, waiting to enter the court, and player #7 is on the court in center back. What action should be taken?
Answer: Player #3 is the libero, and obviously cannot be a starting player. Team S should be required to use a substitution to enter #7 into the game in position 6 (center back), and #3 continues as the libero.
3. Player #6 on Team S is injured on a play, and a substitute enters for her. The trainer determines that player #6 needs to go to the locker room for treatment. Is this allowed?
Answer: Yes. Rule 5-2-2 states that substitutes must be ?located on the team bench or in the warm-up area?. However, if a substitute needs to leave these areas due to a medical necessity, it should be allowed.
4. When player #2 for Team R rotates to position 4 (left front), Team R regularly substitutes player #5 for player #2. As those two players exchange positions in the substitution zone, they do not hesitate or make eye contact with the second referee, but just exchange ?on the run?. What action(s) can the second referee take?
Answer: Rule 11-2-1 states ?The player leaving the court and the incoming substitute must wait near the sideline in the substitution zone until authorized to exchange by the second referee?, and ?If a substitute enters the court before the authorization signal, the substitution is denied and the team is sanctioned with a team delay.?. The second referee MUST insist on eye contact and require the player(s) to see the ?authorization to enter? signal. To prevent players exchanging without seeing the authorization, the referee(s) should:
? Remind both team captains of this requirement in the pre-match meeting.
? The first time that players do not make eye contact during a substitution, remind the coach of this requirement, and inform the coach that a team delay may result from having to re-authorize a substitution.
? The next time that players from that same team do not make eye contact during substitution, bring the players back to the sideline and insist on them complying with this requirement.
? If the same team?s players fail to comply again, issue a team delay and deny the substitution.
NOTE: To answer the following three questions, assume these service orders were shown on the submitted line-up sheets:
Team Green: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 (Team Green has first serve in this game).
Team Red: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
5. With the score Green 18, Red 12, Green wins a rally that Red served. Green player #10 is next to serve, and serves for two points before Red wins a rally. Now, Red player #11 serves out of order. What is the correct action by the referees?
Answer: Red player #9 should have served. As soon as Red player #11 contacts the service, the scorekeeper should indicate the incorrect server, and Red is charged with a rotation error. A boxed ?R? is placed on the Red player #9?s line on the scoresheet. Green is awarded a point for that loss of rally (point 22). Correct Red?s service order (player #11 should be in right front). Green #12 serves next, with the score Green 22, Red 13.
6. With the score Green 18, Red 12, Green wins a rally that Red served. Green player #10 is next to serve, and serves for two points before Red wins a rally. Now, Red player #11 serves out of order, but that goes undetected by anyone until Red has won two rallies (the score is now Green 21, Red 15). As Red player #11 prepares to serve for the third time, the scorekeeper realizes that Red #9 should be serving? What is the correct action by the referees?
Answer: The scorekeeper should immediately notify the second referee. Since Red #9 should have been serving, the rally point (point 13), and two circled points (points 14 and 15) are probably written on Red player #9?s line on the scoresheet. Points 14 and 15 are removed, since the team at fault is still serving (no fault had been committed when point 13 was recorded, so it is retained). A boxed ?R? is entered on Red player #9?s line, and Green is awarded a point for that loss of rally (point 22). Correct Red?s service order (player #11 should be in right front). Green player #12 serves next, with the score Green 22, Red 13.
7. On the first service of the game, Green player #4 serves, but this incorrect server goes undetected. Green wins the first rally. Green loses the next rally (the score is now Green 1, Red 1). Red player #1 serves twice and wins those two rallies, and then serves again and Green wins the rally (the score is now Green 2, Red 3). Green player #6 serves, and the scorekeeper immediately notifies the second referee that Green player #4 should be serving now. What is the correct action by the referees?
Answer: The fact that Green had a wrong server on the first serve of the game is not a factor, since there was a serve contacted by the opponents after that fact. The same applies to the fact that Green was out of position while Red player #1 was serving. The only fault that can be ruled on at this time is the one that just occurred ? a wrong server by Green, #6 for #4. A boxed ?R? is placed on Green player #4?s line on the scoresheet. Red is awarded a point for that loss of rally (point 4). Correct Green?s service order (player #6 should be in right front). Red player #3 serves next, with the score Green 2, Red 4.
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