A major rule change in high school volleyball will take effect this fall, as the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee has removed the referee’s ability to make a judgment call on a player’s second contact following a team’s first hit. This change, approved by the NFHS Board of Directors, is intended to improve consistency in officiating while aligning high school volleyball more closely with the rules used at higher levels of play.
Previously, referees were responsible for determining the legality of a player’s second contact based on criteria such as spin or double contact, which often led to inconsistencies in enforcement. Under the new rule, officials will only call a fault if the second contact is a blatant lift or carry. This adjustment aims to promote longer rallies, create a more consistent game experience, and support the continued development of players' offensive skills.
Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee, explained that this change reflects a broader evolution in volleyball officiating across all levels of the sport. Collegiate and international volleyball have moved away from judging second contact based on spin or double contact, and this adjustment brings the high school game in line with that philosophy. The committee believes this update will enhance game flow, reduce stoppages for questionable ball-handling calls, and encourage more strategic play.
In addition to this major rule change, the committee approved a modification to uniform regulations regarding waistbands. The updated rule clarifies that a player’s uniform bottom must be a single, solid color, excluding the waistband. This amendment ensures greater flexibility for teams when selecting uniforms while maintaining a consistent look for competitive play.
Furthermore, the committee revised Rule 9-5-6 to specify that a libero who is replaced by a teammate must wait for at least one rally before re-entering the game unless they are replacing a different player. This clarification helps ensure proper rotation and substitution procedures are followed in line with existing libero rules.
These rule changes will officially take effect at the start of the 2025 high school volleyball season. Schools, coaches, and officials are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new regulations to ensure smooth implementation and consistent enforcement throughout the season.
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