Volleyball players can expect big changes to gameplay this season, as the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee approved several new rules for the game.
New rules include allowing double contact, two liberos in each game, and new types of jewelry.
While some of these rules are beneficial, many players are upset by one change in particular.
Here we will explain in detail the new rules, their importance and what they mean.
double touch approved
Players are now allowed to double touch the ball on the second contact of a play.
The general regeneration process is as follows:
- First, the defensive specialists, the people in the back row of the court, pass the ball to the setter at the front right of the court.
- The setter then sets the ball with both hands toward the batter, another player in the front row. This becomes the second contact in the play.
- Finally, the batter swings his arms while jumping in the air and hits the ball over the net and into his opponent.
There are more in-depth plays, but these three steps are the basics of how volleyball's three primary contacts work.
The double contact rule now allows a setter or anyone who needs to touch the ball for second contact to quickly touch the ball twice.
However, according to the NCAA, “If the ball goes over the net in this scenario, it will be considered a fault and the team will lose a point.”
Previously, a setter was called double contact if his hands were not perfect when setting the ball as well. This call causes the team to lose a point because the setter's or player's hands were not in the perfect set position.
If the ball is set perfectly, the umpire can usually tell because the volleyball will have very little spin after the setter touches it. When double contact occurs, the ball usually spins.
But now, the setter and whoever touches the ball on second contact will not lose points for their team due to double contact.
So why are players upset about this?
For players who haven't played for a long time, this rule may be useful. However, for veterans and long-time players who have spent years perfecting sets, this rule can seem frustrating.
The NCAA said it decided double contact would be allowed because of heated discussions between coaches and volleyball officials during games over the years.
The NCAA argued that the rule change would reduce controversy and help continue play to make the game more enjoyable for fans and players.
Two liberos can play in the same set
The NCAA also approved that two liberos can play on the court during the same set, but not at the same time.
What is Libero?
Liberos are defensive specialists who wear different colored jerseys. They are in the back row with other defensive specialists.
They wear different colored jerseys because they are allowed to substitute for other players (usually batters) without using legal substitutes. Since teams are only allowed 13 substitutions per set, batters and liberos can be substituted even if all allowed substitutions are used.
So how does this affect the game?
Batters and liberos can use fewer substitutes during a game, allowing teams to use more players throughout the game or change rosters more frequently if the game is very back-and-forth. It will be.
“The rationale for the proposal is to give more athletes the opportunity to compete, increase action and improve play,” the NCAA said.
Other rule changes
To see more rule changes and experimental rules this season, visit the NCAA website.
