Significant Rule Changes for 1996 Season


Rule 1.
 Playing Area
1.4.2 - Service Zone - The service zone is extended to include the
             full width of the 9 meter area behind the end lines.

Rule 2.
 Net and Posts
     2.4 - The height of the net may be varied for age-group competition.

Rule 3.
 Ball
     3.1 - Inside pressure of ball (stated in kg/cm{2} ) corrected.

Rule 5.
 Players' Equipment
     5.1.3.2 - Required placement for uniform number by 1998 season.
     5.3.1 - Jewelry prohibited; other equipment subject to judgement.

Rule 8.
 Preparation for the Match
     8.1.2 - In deciding game, the first referee may designate the second
             referee to make the coin toss.

Rule 11.
 Substitution of Players
     11.3 - Time allowed to determine if an injured player can continue
            in game extended from 15 to 30 seconds.

Rule 12.
 Playing Actions
     12.4.4.2 - Limiting heights for a ball striking objects above the playing
            	area removed.

Rule 14.
 Playing the Ball
     14.4.1 - The ball may touch any part of the body.  Limitation of knee
              and above removed.
     14.4.2 - Restrictions regarding contact of the ball restated: The ball
               must be hit, not caught or thrown.
	 14.4.3.2 - All multiple contacts allowed on first team hit. Limitation of
		"unless it is played overhand using fingers" removed
Rule 16.
 Player at the Net
     16.2.1 - "Inside the antennas" added to clarify rule regarding blocker
               reaching beyond the plane of the net.
     16.2.3 - Addition: Provision made to allow player to contact ball over
              opponent's court in order to return it to player's own
              playing space.
     16.4.1 - Rule expanded to allow insignificant contact with the net
              by a player not involved in the action of playing the ball.

Rule 18.
 Attack-Hit
     18.1 - Commentary - Definition of attack-hit excludes first or second
            team contact that is legally blocked as long as the ball does
            not completely pass the plane of the net untouched.
     18.4 - Commentary - An attack-hit fault and a blocking fault committed
            simultaneously will result in a double fault.

Rule 19.
 Block
     19.3 - Any third team hit by the opponents may be blocked at any time
            after the contact.
     19.4.2 - Contact with the ball during a block may be with any part of
              the body (See Rule 14.4.1)
     19.5 - Commentary - A blocking fault and an attack-hit fault committed
            simultaneously will result in a double fault.

Rule 20.
 Regular Game Interruptions
     20.7 - Any improper request that affects of delays a game will be
            sanctioned as a team delay.

Rule 24.
 Misconduct
     24.2.4 - "Spectator area" added to the list of venues that must be
               vacated by a disqualified player.

Rule 27.
 Second Referee
     27.2.7 - The second referee is responsible for reporting third entry
              of a player to the first referee and coach/captain of the
              player's team.
Rule 29.
 Line Judges
     29.2.1.4 - Duties include reporting foot faults of players off the
                court at the time of service.

7/16/1996 10:28:33 PM

Rule 1. Playing Area	1.4.2 - Service Zone - The service zone is extended to include the full width of the 9 meter area behind the end lines.
Rule 2. Net and Posts	2.4 - The height of the net may be varied for age-group competition.
Rule 3. Ball	3.1 - Inside pressure of ball (stated in kg/cm{2} ) corrected.
Rule 5. Players' Equipment	5.1.3.2 - Required placement for uniform number by 1998 season.	5.3.1 - Jewelry prohibited; other equipment subject to judgement.
Rule 8. Preparation for the Match	8.1.2 - In deciding game, the first referee may designate the second referee to make the coin toss.
Rule 11. Substitution of Players	11.3 - Time allowed to determine if an injured player can continue in game extended from 15 to 30 seconds.
Rule 12. Playing Actions	12.4.4.2 - Limiting heights for a ball striking objects above the playing area removed.
Rule 14. Playing the Ball	14.4.1 - The ball may touch any part of the body. Limitation of knee and above removed.	14.4.2 - Restrictions regarding contact of the ball restated: The ball must be hit, not caught or thrown.	14.4.3.2 - All multiple contacts allowed on first team hit. Limitation of "unless it is played overhand using fingers" removed
Rule 16. Player at the Net	16.2.1 - "Inside the antennas" added to clarify rule regarding blocker reaching beyond the plane of the net.	16.2.3 - Addition: Provision made to allow player to contact ball over opponent's court in order to return it to player's own playing space.	16.4.1 - Rule expanded to allow insignificant contact with the net by a player not involved in the action of playing the ball.
Rule 18. Attack-Hit	18.1 - Commentary - Definition of attack-hit excludes first or second team contact that is legally blocked as long as the ball does not completely pass the plane of the net untouched.	18.4 - Commentary - An attack-hit fault and a blocking fault committed simultaneously will result in a double fault.
Rule 19. Block	19.3 - Any third team hit by the opponents may be blocked at any time after the contact.	19.4.2 - Contact with the ball during a block may be with any part of the body (See Rule 14.4.1)	19.5 - Commentary - A blocking fault and an attack-hit fault committed simultaneously will result in a double fault.
Rule 20. Regular Game Interruptions	20.7 - Any improper request that affects of delays a game will be sanctioned as a team delay.
Rule 24. Misconduct	24.2.4 - "Spectator area" added to the list of venues that must be vacated by a disqualified player.
Rule 27. Second Referee	27.2.7 - The second referee is responsible for reporting third entry of a player to the first referee and coach/captain of the player's team.
Rule 29. Line Judges	29.2.1.4 - Duties include reporting foot faults of players off the court at the time of service.