Santa Cruz Volleyball Forum

The second bullet item of CBVA Rule 15.4 States

"The server contacts the ball with one hand or any part of the arm after
clearly tossing or releasing the ball and before the ball touches the playing
surface."

Is this rule enforced? Many underhanded servers and skyballers have minimal, IF ANY, release before they hit the ball.
What "clearly" is to the server, is not so clear to the opponents 45 - 50 feet away.

Thanks.

Peace. Out.

If it appears that the server is tossing the ball in an upward direction before striking it ,then the serve is"legal" The idea of "teeing' the ball off of your non serving hand is a very tough subjective call to make. If the motion appears to be as if the server is throwing the ball over the net with both hands, then that serving motion is a violation of the rule. Again, I always revert back to the need for a ref in a tournament setting. Their job is to make those determinations and if they are not comfortable with that ,then go to the T.D. and ask for assistance. In a pick up game, making that call on you opponent, will usually lead to conflict. "Go on to the next play". Adapt, adjust, anticipate, accept the challenge.
You can bring it to their awareness, but in reality you can't make them change it. JUST GET READY TO PASS THAT BALL.
Know that it will come over the net with a different trajectory and require more concentration.

The game of volleyball has many subjective rules and guidelines and the nature of the way the ball is handled will always be subject to personal style. The real problem is when that personal "touch" creates a definite advantage for a player. I guess you could not choose to play against that opponent and with the right feedback from the volleyball community, that player would "get the message" and make the needed changes.
I approach these questions from years of running and participating sanctioned events and have accepted that these types plays that happen over the duration of a tournament have a way of balancing out. The Volleyball GODS are watching.... mhullo

It seems like the rule is very clear-cut on the issue: "clearly tossing or releasing the ball ...". I'm not sure I understand why it isn't enforced?

Cynthia

It goes into that whole area of personal style of play.. It is like calling your opponent's sets based on the way they hold their hands, contact, and deliver the ball.
"Valid gray areas" are a part of this game. This rule is a bit more objective, but not as cut and dry as some of the other rules of the game.
If this person who "tees" the ball off of their non serving hand, is planning on playing in tournaments, then that is where a ref can be the final judge and make that call. mhullo