Rule changes for the upcoming 2023 season via the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS)
2-1-9 (NEW), 12-2-5
Creates a coaching zone defined by the libero replacement zone extending beyond the end line and sideline extended.
Rationale: Defines and clarifies the area in which coaches may stand
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4-1-7
Allows small, secured stud or post jewelry to be worn above the chin.
Rationale: Maintains consistency with current trends of other NFHS and volleyball rules codes.
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4-2-4b
Eliminates the use of uniform numbers starting with a leading zero (01, 02, 03, etc.) beginning in 2028
Rationale: Clarifies legal numbers and eliminates confusion when signaling while aligning with other rules codes.
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10-2-1
Allows requests for substitution by the head coach to be signaled or verbalized.
Rationale: Creates consistency by allowing either a verbal or non-verbal signal for a substitution
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12-2-6
Establishes that one assistant coach may stand within the coaching zone to provide instruction during dead-ball situations only.
Rationale: Allows an assistant coach to stand and coach during dead ball situations in addition to the head coach. The assistant coach that stands may change throughout the match, but only one can stand at a time.
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POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Using the Lineup Card Effectively
According to the NFHS Volleyball Case Book and Officials Manual, “The lineup card is a tool to assist the second referee. The lineup card is to be used to record the starting lineup and verify each team’s lineup at the start of the set. If the lineup is recorded in serving order, the second referee must remember that the receiving team’s first server will begin in the right front position.” Early in the season, while checking the lineup for each set, the second referee can ask the receiving team’s Right Front, “You are your team’s first server, correct?”
Information to be kept on the lineup card may include serving order, substitutions, time-outs, captain, player identification (like circling the back-row setter) and yellow/red cards.
Starting the Set:
The more knowledgeable a second referee becomes of the game, the less they will be dependent upon the lineup card to recognize infractions such as illegal alignment, improper server, and improper substitutions. Experienced officials who study and understand rotations will be able to anticipate the potential alignment issues based upon a team’s offense and use the card to reinforce their understanding. Second referees still learning the complexities of different rotations must use the card to build confidence in recognizing such infractions while continuing to study the nuances of the sport.
2. Coaches Zone Privileges
It is important for both coaches and officials to understand the privileges coaches have when instructing their teams and what actions could jeopardize such privileges. The expanded coaching zone and assistant coach privileges created an opportunity for the committee to emphasize the rules related to coaching privileges.
One assistant coach may stand within the coaching zone during dead-ball situations. This new rule allows one assistant coach to communicate with players during a dead-ball. The intent of this rule change is to allow specialized coaching between points.
Before the Match
The pre-match conference will provide an opportunity for the officials to meet the head coach from each team participating in the match. Each team may have one or more assistant coaches. If multiple levels are competing on a given night, not only will you see assistant coaches on the bench, but other head coaches from various levels within the program as well. It is important that the referees identify the designated head coach for the current match and remind the head coach that only one assistant at a time may stand during a dead ball.
During the Match
Only the head coach for the match is allowed to stand in the coaching zone. The new allowance permits the head coach to stand and coach beyond the libero replacement zone, past the end line, not to cross the sideline extended. One assistant coach can stand with the head coach to coach players but only during a dead-ball situation.
Once the first referee extends an arm for the authorization of serve, the assistant coach must return to the bench and may not stand again until the next dead ball. Assistant coaches may not address officials, except to review the score, verify the number of time-outs and/or substitutions used by their team, request serving order of their team, or verify the proper server for the opponent.
If this privilege is abused by multiple assistant coaches standing to coach players or by one or more assistant coaches standing to communicate with officials, a yellow card will be assessed. Continued unsporting behavior will result in a red card and all coaches must remain seated for the remainder of the match.
2-1-9 (NEW), 12-2-5
Creates a coaching zone defined by the libero replacement zone extending beyond the end line and sideline extended.
Rationale: Defines and clarifies the area in which coaches may stand
================================
4-1-7
Allows small, secured stud or post jewelry to be worn above the chin.
Rationale: Maintains consistency with current trends of other NFHS and volleyball rules codes.
================================
4-2-4b
Eliminates the use of uniform numbers starting with a leading zero (01, 02, 03, etc.) beginning in 2028
Rationale: Clarifies legal numbers and eliminates confusion when signaling while aligning with other rules codes.
================================
10-2-1
Allows requests for substitution by the head coach to be signaled or verbalized.
Rationale: Creates consistency by allowing either a verbal or non-verbal signal for a substitution
================================
12-2-6
Establishes that one assistant coach may stand within the coaching zone to provide instruction during dead-ball situations only.
Rationale: Allows an assistant coach to stand and coach during dead ball situations in addition to the head coach. The assistant coach that stands may change throughout the match, but only one can stand at a time.
================================
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Using the Lineup Card Effectively
According to the NFHS Volleyball Case Book and Officials Manual, “The lineup card is a tool to assist the second referee. The lineup card is to be used to record the starting lineup and verify each team’s lineup at the start of the set. If the lineup is recorded in serving order, the second referee must remember that the receiving team’s first server will begin in the right front position.” Early in the season, while checking the lineup for each set, the second referee can ask the receiving team’s Right Front, “You are your team’s first server, correct?”
Information to be kept on the lineup card may include serving order, substitutions, time-outs, captain, player identification (like circling the back-row setter) and yellow/red cards.
Starting the Set:
- Use or create a succinct lineup card for checking the team’s starting positions prior to each set.
- Encourage the scorer to check each team’s lineup as you verify the player’s positions.
- From the sideline, check the lineup of the receiving team, leaving the game ball at the officials’ table. Avoid pointing at each player while verifying their order. Identify the captain for the first referee. If a libero is being used, authorize the libero by using the authorization signal. Repeat the protocol while checking the serving team from their sideline.
- Retrieve the game ball from the officials’ table and toss the ball to the first server.
- Quickly scan both benches to ensure that all practice balls are secure, and the playing surface is safe.
- Place your lineup card and writing utensil in your pocket. Take the ready position on the receiving team’s side, face the court with shoulders parallel, make eye contact with the first referee and signal “ready” by extending the arm farthest from the net toward your partner.
- Some second referees are very quick and smooth recording information, and immediately return their card/pencil to their pocket. This process should not be a distraction.
- Upon contact of the serve, move immediately to the blocking team’s team side of the net and continue to transition as the rally continues.
- If the second referee whistles a fault, step to the side at fault and signal the fault, then mimic the first referee’s point signal. If the first referee ends play, many second referees get to the fault side and mimic their partner’s signals.
- Refrain from signaling with a lineup card and pencil in your hand(s).
- During a substitution, the second referee whistles two short blasts and signals once a substitution has been requested. If you record the substitution on the lineup card, take the card and pencil out of your pocket and allow the substitute to enter. While recording, look over your shoulder to ensure that the scorer has the entry/entries.
- Get to the receiving team’s side, finish recording quickly, put the lineup card/pencil away and give the game back to the first referee.
- Refrain from giving the ready signal to your partner if you are still recording information, and continue recording, as the first referee will authorize the serve and you will not be prepared to observe potential illegal alignment.
The more knowledgeable a second referee becomes of the game, the less they will be dependent upon the lineup card to recognize infractions such as illegal alignment, improper server, and improper substitutions. Experienced officials who study and understand rotations will be able to anticipate the potential alignment issues based upon a team’s offense and use the card to reinforce their understanding. Second referees still learning the complexities of different rotations must use the card to build confidence in recognizing such infractions while continuing to study the nuances of the sport.
2. Coaches Zone Privileges
It is important for both coaches and officials to understand the privileges coaches have when instructing their teams and what actions could jeopardize such privileges. The expanded coaching zone and assistant coach privileges created an opportunity for the committee to emphasize the rules related to coaching privileges.
One assistant coach may stand within the coaching zone during dead-ball situations. This new rule allows one assistant coach to communicate with players during a dead-ball. The intent of this rule change is to allow specialized coaching between points.
Before the Match
The pre-match conference will provide an opportunity for the officials to meet the head coach from each team participating in the match. Each team may have one or more assistant coaches. If multiple levels are competing on a given night, not only will you see assistant coaches on the bench, but other head coaches from various levels within the program as well. It is important that the referees identify the designated head coach for the current match and remind the head coach that only one assistant at a time may stand during a dead ball.
During the Match
Only the head coach for the match is allowed to stand in the coaching zone. The new allowance permits the head coach to stand and coach beyond the libero replacement zone, past the end line, not to cross the sideline extended. One assistant coach can stand with the head coach to coach players but only during a dead-ball situation.
Once the first referee extends an arm for the authorization of serve, the assistant coach must return to the bench and may not stand again until the next dead ball. Assistant coaches may not address officials, except to review the score, verify the number of time-outs and/or substitutions used by their team, request serving order of their team, or verify the proper server for the opponent.
If this privilege is abused by multiple assistant coaches standing to coach players or by one or more assistant coaches standing to communicate with officials, a yellow card will be assessed. Continued unsporting behavior will result in a red card and all coaches must remain seated for the remainder of the match.
