Santa Cruz Volleyball Forum

Can anyone explain the "International Pursuit Rule"?

Thank you.

Dylan

OK. This made me curious and I had to google for it...

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=volleyball+"International+Pursuit+Rule

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=18082
"...the international pursuit rule was passed as an experimental rule. The rule allows for a ball that has passed completely beyond the centerline outside the antenna to be retrieved if it is returned to that team's playing area outside the antenna."

...and...

http://www.byucougars.com/Filing.jsp?ID=768
"The international pursuit rule was also added as an experimental rule for the upcoming season, and can be implemented in a match by agreement of both coaches. The rule allows for a player to retrieve a ball (on second contact) that has crossed the plane of the net to the opponent's free space, provided that player does not touch the opponent's court and sends the ball back to their court, over or outside the antennas, for an opportunity for the third contact."

...and...

http://www.gostanford.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/100302aaa.html
"Donna (Santa Cruz): I know the international pursuit rule is being used this year in collegiate volleyball. But I don't see a lot of teams running down balls. Why?
John Dunning: (4:37 PM ET ) I think this is a stupid rule. I pray no one gets hurt badly."

FWIW, I saw this done twice this year. Once in a BYU game that I happened to catch on TV and once by an opponent at a UCSC men's game.

John.

I seem to remember that this rule change happened several years ago with USAV. The problem you encounter with most courts is there isn't enough room to properly execute this play without A. running into the ref stand, B. running into the scorer's table, C. running into the bench, D. running into bleachers or E. running into the chairs placed alongside the court for the benches (to say nothing about potentially running into an opposing player and injuring both of them).

I have seen it attempted many times indoors (including once unsuccessfully in the match 2 weeks ago between Stanford and USC) and on the beach (including the AVP), but rarely have I seen it made successfully. I would think the risk of injury would have kept that out of the rule book, but I guess a spectacular athletic (and probably lucky) play that would decide an important match or win a gold medal was what the rules committee had in mind.