Please be aware of the new rules below that affect refeeing games in our association
The HVA rules are available to download. HVA Rules
A draft of the EVA Scorer Handbook
1 CENTRE LINE MODIFICATION
Touching the opponents’ court with any part of the body above the feet is permitted, providing that it does not interfere with the opponents’ play.
This means that, for example, a hand or knee can cross over the centre line; now only the foot remains prohibited from making contact completely across the centre line. There must, however, be no “interference” with the opponents’ play, or a significantly increased health and safety risk.
2 NET CONTACT
Contact with the net by a player is not a fault unless it interferes with play.
Examples of net contacts which are still considered as faults would include any contact with the top band of the net (or antenna) during any action of playing the ball. Contacts which either create an unfair advantage, or which hinder an opponent’s legitimate attempt to play the ball, would also continue to be penalised as net contacts. However, a setter who gently brushes the mesh of the net whilst playing the ball should no longer be penalised. Similarly, a blocker or hitter who brushes the net (on the way up or down) is no longer considered to be making a net fault, unless there is contact with the top band. Any “taking support” from the net – leaning into the net, or holding the mesh, or any action which significantly distorts the position of the top band of the net – is still a fault, as is any contact which prevents the opponent from being able to play the ball.
3 SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURES
The coach or captain no longer needs to make a request for substitution. The request is assumed at the moment a player crosses into the substitution zone, when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service; at this moment, either the scorer or second referee will acknowledge the substitution (using buzzer or whistle respectively).
a) A substitute entering the substitution zone is assumed as a request for substitution. A coach making a signal, or indicating the number of substitutes, is not a valid request. FIVB and CEV have instructed coaches must be discouraged from making such signals. Coaches do not use the team buzzer for substitutions. Coaches need do nothing except send their substitute(s) into the substitution zone at the correct time.
Exceptions to a) : The 2nd referee and coach use the substitution signal only on two occasions, to aid communication (i) in the case of exceptional substitutions, (ii) where there is a substitution caused by a discrepancy between the line up sheet and the line up on the court. Where a substitution is requested by the coach prior to a set, as a result of an incorrect line up with the wrong player on court, it is not necessary for the player to enter the court to make the exchange.
b) A coach may change his/her mind about the number of substitutions without consequence, provided there is no delay to the game. This does not constitute an Improper Request.
c) Where there are two or more substitutions the second and any subsequent substitute(s) must report to the substitution zone at the same time as the initial substitute. The substitute(s) enter the zone but must not impede the work of the scorer.
d) Multiple substitutions may only be completed in succession: first, one pair of players, then another, etc., in order for the scorer to take due note and check them one by one. When the scorer has completed the recording of the substitution he/she will give the OK signal with two hands. Only then does any subsequent substitute from the same team commence his/her substitution process.