There are quite a few rules in volleyball. They vary from league to league and, in some instances, from age to age. College volleyball rules may differ from those at lower levels and, in certain situations, from the FIVB’s international regulations.
What Does It Mean To “Reach Across The Net”?
Volleyball is a game played between two teams, typically of six players on each side, in which the players use their hands to bat a ball to and fro over a high net, aiming to get the ball to hit the ground within the rivals’ court before it is retrieved. Volleyball lovers must have been aware that touching this net is prohibited, but there are numerous instances in which you will come dangerously near it, including:
- When you perform a jump serve.
- When you perform a tackle.
- When you are placed in the first line.
We’ve all seen it happen: a ball is passed up close to the net, and the opposition team leaps up and spikes the ball down. The crowd goes wild. In this case, the player may hit the ball while it is entirely on your opponents’ court. Unfortunately, attacking the ball while entirely on the opposite side of the court is technically forbidden, and the offending team would forfeit their point.
So, can you reach over the net in sand volleyball? Yes, using the net to your advantage in some cases is acceptable. Playing or attempting to strike the ball while going above the volleyball barrier is the issue. This will almost always result in an immediate deduction of your score.
Striking Above The Net – Is it Legal?
It is illegal to attack when the ball is totally on the oppositions’ court.
However, the official volleyball rules state that you can lawfully stop the ball at your opponent’s side of the court before it breaches the plane in four scenarios.
The four situations in which you can legally reach across and obstruct are as follows:
After The Third Point Of Contact
After a team has made three hits, you can stretch above the goal and stop the ball even if it is not vertical or will not cross the net.
It depends if the opposing team hits the ball close to the net, but it is still on their side, not their third hit. You may be able to block this by contacting the ball beyond the net if the following conditions are met:
- The ball is heading straight for your court.
- In the referee’s judgment, no opposition players could reach the ball (you are not allowed to contact the ball past the net if doing so will disrupt the opponent’s play before or during their attack hit).
- Following the ball’s attack. According to the referee’s decision, the blocker can reach over and block the ball if attacked after a team’s first or second-team hit.
The Ball Is Approaching, And No One Can Make A Play
If the ball is heading in the direction of your court without an opposition able to make a play, the blocker can block the ball, according to the referee’s decision. In the referee’s opinion, the block is illegal if a player could have played on the ball if the blocker hadn’t touched it.
No One Can Make A Play If The Ball Doesn’t Cross The Net.
After a team’s first or second-team hit, if the ball does not cross the net and the opponent cannot make a play on it, the blocker can reach across and block it. In the referee’s opinion, the block is illegal if a player attempted contact with the ball if the blocker hadn’t touched it.
So, no. In most cases, you are not allowed to contact the ball once it has passed the net.
Reaching Beyond the net – Volleyball Violation.
Almost any time you move up the net, you will lose a score.
Here are three typical cases.
You cannot strike the ball when a setter is touching it.
When a player reaches up to serve a volleyball with their fingertips, it is a common occurrence near the net. When the ball comes close to the web, it might be challenging to predict which side it will fall on. As you go to higher levels, you’ll notice:
Many setters touch the ball far above the net line. Therefore, if they do let it through, there’s a good possibility it’ll end up on your court.
It is not easy to manage particular circumstances being a blocker, but there is just one rule a player must follow:
When you play the ball on your opposition’s court before they have an opportunity to make their move, it will always lead to your loss.
Even if the setting intends to tip, drop, or attack, you must remain still until they complete the game before touching the ball.
Also, if you’re looking for an answer to a far more straightforward query:
No. While the setter will make a move, you can’t move over and stop the ball!
Hitting an overpass
Another issue that frequently causes conflict among volleyball players is this.
We’ve all fantasized about pulling off the ultimate overpass finish off.
But when is a player allowed to touch it?
You’ve probably witnessed this before.
A lengthy rally is being fought. Both teams make fantastic defensive and attacking plays, and the ball eventually sits near the goal, where one player tips it right down to end the rally.
The chances of being called ‘over’ by the ref in these instances are around 50/50. There is, however, a guideline for this.
It all comes down to whether the volleyball is entirely on the opposite part of the mesh or not.
It’s perfectly acceptable for a player to launch it over once it’s in the net’s area. But, before then, if the player stretch completely over to end the point early, the referee might call you out.
Can you reach the other side of the court without hitting the ball?
It’s all about the circumstances. If it’s apparent that you’re straining up the net so that you can prevent your opponent from playing his chance:
In that case, the answer is no. That’s against the rules.
For example, you can’t go round the net blocking the batter’s approach or tickling their armpits.
Let’s assume you’re attempting to strike the ball, and you miss it. So, what’s next?
As long as the miss-swing doesn’t get in the way of the game, there’s no wrong done, and the game can continue. So now you know when you can reach across the net while playing volleyball. It would be best if you also remembered that you could not touch the net.
As a general rule, avoid touching the net. Think of it as an electric fence. If you feel compelled to touch the net, there are certain occasions during the match when you can do so as much as you like.
You can do it after you’ve completed the action. For instance, if your team has just won a goal and the referee has signaled acceptance, you can immediately touch the net. It is permissible to touch the net until another whistle forces a player to serve.
Player Under the Net
Under the net, a player can advance into an opponent’s area as long as it does not interrupt the opponent’s game.
When you get past the centerline-
- It is permissible to enter the opponents’ ground with a foot (feet) or hand (hands) as long as it is part of the penetrating foot. A player or hand stays in touch with or above the midline.
- It is illegal to make contact with any other part of the body.
When the ball is “out of play,” a player can invade the opponents’ court.
Players may enter the opponent’s free zone as long as they do not obstruct their play.
Can the ball touch the net?
In volleyball, the ball frequently skims the net. In volleyball, unlike tennis, it’s perfectly acceptable. When the ball goes through the net shortly after the service, it’s very startling.
Some volleyball players use this serving strategy, but let’s be honest. It isn’t easy, and it almost always happens by chance.
To summarise, it is permissible for the ball to touch the net. It doesn’t matter if you’re serving or spiking. It’s not tennis, and contacting the net band can result in a lot of unintentional points.
Playing Faults at the Net
- Before or during an opponent’s offensive hit, a participant contacts the volleyball or an opponent in their space.
- Under the net, a player intrudes into the opponents’ space, interfering with play.
- A player breaks onto the opposing team’s court.
- A player touches the net or hinders with play while throwing the ball by touching the net or antennae.
Summing Up
In short, in volleyball, if the opponent team has not used all three of their touches, you are not permitted to interfere on your opponent’s side.
If your opponent has used all of their three touches, then you can move over the net, block the ball, or even spike the ball if the situation calls for it.
The easiest way to remember this rule is to remember that if you are interfering with the opponent’s ability to play the ball, you are probably doing something incorrectly.