2020-21 Volleyball Rules Considerations for COVID

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In support of the Guidance for Opening Up High School Athletics and Activities, the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee offers this document for state associations to consider whether any possible rules could be altered for the 2020-21 season. The considerations outlined in this document are meant to decrease potential exposure to respiratory droplets by encouraging social distancing, limiting participation in administrative tasks to essential personnel and allowing for appropriate protective equipment.

Return to Competition

1. Volleyball Rules Considerations
   • Prematch Conference (1-2-4a; 1-6-2; 1-6-3; 2-1-10; 5-4-1h, k; 5-6-1; 7-1-1; 7-1-1 PENALTIES 1; 9-1a; 12-2-3)
     • Limit attendees to one coach from each team, first referee and second referee.
     • Move the location of the prematch conference to center court with one coach and one referee positioned on each side of the net. All four individuals maintain a social distance of 3 to 6 feet.
     • Suspend the use of the coin toss to determine serve/receive. The visiting team will serve first in set 1 and alternate first serve for the remaining non-deciding sets.
     • Suspend roster submission at the prematch conference. Rosters are submitted directly to the officials’ table before the 10-minute mark.

• Team Benches (5-4-4b, 9-1-2, 9-1-2 NOTE, 9-3-3b)
  • Suspend the protocol of teams switching benches between sets. In the event there is a clear and distinct disadvantage, teams may switch sides, observing all social distancing protocols. Officials will determine if a disadvantage is present.
  • Limit bench personnel to observe social distancing of 3 to 6 feet.

• Deciding Set Procedures [1-2-4b, 5-4-4c, 5-5-3b(26), 9-2-3c]
  • Move the location of the deciding set coin toss to center court with team captains and the second referee maintaining the appropriate social distance of 3 to 6 feet. A coin toss, called by the home team, will decide serve/receive.
  • Suspend the protocol of teams switching benches before a deciding set. In the event there is a clear and distinct disadvantage, teams may switch sides, observing all social distancing protocols. Officials will determine if a disadvantage is present.

• Substitution Procedures (2-1-7, 10-2-1, 10-2-3, 10-2-4)
  • Maintain social distancing of 3 to 6 feet between the second referee and the player and substitute by encouraging substitutions to occur within the substitution zone closer to the attack line.

• Officials Table (3-4)
  • Limit to essential personnel which includes home team scorer, libero tracker and timer with a recommend distance of 3 to 6 feet between individuals. Visiting team personnel (scorer, statisticians, etc.) are not deemed essential personnel and will need to find an alternative location.

2. Volleyball Officials Manual Considerations
   • Pre and Post Match Ceremony
     • Establish volleyball specific social distancing match protocols including the elimination of handshakes before and after the match.

3. Volleyball Rules Interpretations
   • Rule 4-1 EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
     • Cloth face coverings are permissible. (4-1-4)
     • Gloves are permissible. (4-1-1)
   • Rule 4-2 LEGAL UNIFORM
     • Long sleeves are permissible. (4-2-1)
     • Long pants are permissible. [4-2-1i (1)]
     • Under garments are permissible, but must be unadorned and of a single, solid color similar in color to the predominant color of the uniform top or bottom. [4-2-1h (3), 4-2-1i (2)]
   • Rule 5-3 OFFICIALS UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
     • By state association adoption, long-sleeved, all-white collared polo shirt/sweater are permissible. (5-3-1 NOTES 2)
     • Electronic whistles are permissible. (5-3-2a, b)
     • Cloth face coverings are permissible.
     • Gloves are permissible.