Volleyball Comments on the Rules - 2015

4-2-2: The penalty for a player attempting to enter a set with an illegal uniform is an unnecessary delay using the administrative cards.  The player shall not enter the set until the illegal uniform is replaced or made legal. Although there is a penalty if a player is discovered in an illegal uniform in the set, the referees should make every attempt to prevent a violation.

5-6-3h: The scorer has the responsibility to record administrative yellow/red cards for an unnecessary delay in the comment section of the scoresheet.  These shall be recorded as YUD (Yellow Unnecessary Delay) or RUD (Red Unnecessary Delay).  The second referee shall discuss with the scorer the method of communication and confirmation with the official scorer if an unnecessary delay is assessed.

7-1-5, 6: If a team submits a lineup with a player number that no team member is wearing, there must be a substitution of a player with a legal number into that position.  The player must be listed on the roster.  With the addition of Article 6, if a coach submits a lineup with the same player number listed twice, a legal substitution shall be made so the set starts with six unique, legal players. In both rules, a legal substitution shall be made to correct a lineup issue that otherwise does not affect the match.  Preventive officiating should be used to avoid such errors prior to the start of the match. Ultimately, however, it is the coach’s responsibility to submit an accurate roster and lineup and if such an error occurs, the appropriate penalty should be assessed.

9-9-1: In rally scoring, the removal of a time-out for an unnecessary delay is much more severe than the actual action causing the delay. A first assessment of unnecessary delay in a set does not result in a time-out being charged. Instead, an administrative yellow card is assessed as a warning. A second offense in the same set results in an administrative red card and a loss of rally/penalty point assessed.  The head coach is not required to remain seated for administrative/delay yellow or red cards.  It should be noted, that the first referee may issue cards for unsporting conduct for repeated unnecessary delay violations in multiple sets.  Coaches should not assume they are entitled to a warning in each set.

10-2-5: The substitution procedure during a time-out has been revised.  No substitute shall enter the set until both teams are back on the court. After the time-out has ended, the substitute(s) may enter using the normal exchange procedure.  This improves the communication between the second and first referees, coaches, and fans.

11-5-1, 2: An intermission may be used in addition to the regular three-minute interval between Set Nos. 2 and 3 (Set Nos. 1 and 2 in two-of-three set match). The intermission is limited to an additional two minutes in length for a total of five minutes. The host school determines whether there will be an intermission, which must be confirmed prior to the prematch conference.  The intermission provides consistency and guidelines for schools conducting promotional or special recognition activities between sets. Each team has the responsibility to report to the court at the proper time by the end of the intermission.

12-2-6: Administrative cards issued for an unnecessary delay do not require the head coach to remain seated during play.  These cards are considered administrative in nature. The assessment of administrative cards is different than the assessment of penalty cards issued for unsporting conduct.