Santa Cruz Volleyball Forum

Hi.....This came up the other day & wondered the rule:

A player hit a lob over (3rd hit) and then his movement carried him under the net (without contacting the net) and the ball hit his foot....The defense took the point, though I didn't think they had a play on the ball. Was that play over when the ball hit the offensive player's foot, regardless of that being interference on the defense?

Jim,

According to the FIVB Official Beach Volleyball Rules:

15.2 PENETRATION INTO THE OPPONENT’S SPACE, COURT AND/OR FREE ZONE
A player may enter into the opponent’s space, court and/or free zone, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent’s play.

Responsibility for this call is by:

26 SECOND REFEREE [If there is one...my comment]
26.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
26.3.1 During the match, the second referee decides, whistles and signals:
b) interference due to penetration into the opponent’s court and space under the net (Rule
15.2)

So I would take this to mean it's a judgment call as to whether the opponents COULD have played the ball. If there's a referee, it's his or her call. If it's a pick-up game, take the opponent's word for it and move on to the next point.

After sustaining many ankle injuries from players crossing under the net indoors, if I see someone that looks like he or she is out of control and probably will cross under the net, I stay put. In that case, it might appear that I wasn't going to make a play on the ball when I was in fact making a conscious decision not to risk injury.

If both opponents were completely faked out of their sand socks and frozen facing another direction...I don't think anyone could call interference with a straight face.

Tom