Overall, volleyball is a simple game with relatively simple rules. However, there are couple elements of the game that might be confusing even for those who have been involved in the sport for a while!
A good example of this is “Crossing the Volleyball Net”. In fact, some people think that it is 100% forbidden, others think that it could be tolerated if it was not done intentionally …
In this article, I clarify in details the regulations in this regard and correct all the misconceptions. Hope you will find that useful!
Crossing the Net in volleyball (what do regulations say?)
According to the rules stated by Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) …
In beach volleyball, you can cross the net and enter the opponent’s court, but only as long as you do not interfere with the other team’s play of the ball. So, in this case, if you need to get back a ball that went across the net out of bounds, it is possible for the player to pass under the net, through the other team’s court, and then hit the ball back to your teammate. This is an attempt to play the ball over through the antennae.
If the volleyball crosses under the net, the ball is considered to be in play until it completely passes the vertical plane of the net and goes to the opposing side.
As soon as the ball makes it that far, the play gets whistled dead, and the point is awarded. This means that the ball is not allowed to penetrate under the net.
However, in some rare situations, a teammate can save the ball as it is just about to go under the net and send it back to their team to continue the play.
The difference between indoor volleyball and beach volleyball is that you are allowed to run or walk through the other team’s court in the sand, but you cannot do this in court or indoor volleyball.
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Can you cross under the Net in volleyball?
A player is allowed to penetrate under volleyball net into the opposing team’s space as long as there is no interference with the play …
However, the player’s foot must not step completely onto the opposing team’s court.
It is possible for a player to cross into their opposing team’s free zone, which is the area around the perimeter of the court, as long as it does not interfere with the play.
It is also allowed for a player to cross into the opposing team’s court after the ball is taken out of play.
Can you touch the Net in volleyball?
The rules state that a volleyball player cannot make contact with the net during the actual action of playing the ball…
This means that if you touch the net while you are jumping to hit, landing, or hitting the ball, you are not allowed to touch the net. This action will be called out against you.
In such a case, you can be given a net fault by intending to hit the ball and touch the net. However, this rule focuses on intent.
If you want to hit the ball, you can get a net fault, even if you end up missing the ball altogether. Any player who is positioned near the ball, trying to play it, and ends up touching the net, will be deemed at fault.
What are the penalties for all those cases?
If the volleyball goes into the net, the referee will call a service error. In volleyball, the ball is allowed to hit the net…
If the ball goes over, it is known as a fair serve, but if it doesn’t go over to the other side, the serving team loses the point and possession of the ball.
However, before 2001, if the ball hit the net, it was considered to be a service error regardless of whether it went over or did not go over.
If a player makes contact with any part of the net, including even the cable attachments, it is considered to be a net foul.
However, it is not a foul when a player’s hair touches the net or the force of the ball hit by the other team pushes the net or net cables into the player.
It is also considered to be a net foul if there is interference by a player who makes contact with an opposing team’s player who is making a legitimate effort to play the ball.
It is also considered to be a foul if you cross over the net to block a ball.
Which volleyball positions are known for crossing the Net?
Middle Blocker is the most common position in which the player may come in contact with the net.
This is because the middle blocker has to quickly raise his or her arms over the net in order to make a blocking attempt.
The middle blocker is also the first line of defense against the opposing team’s hits, and therefore, chances are much higher for the middle blocker to end up touching the net at some point of the game.
Another position is The setter. He might also serve the ball directly into the net.
Typically, though, any of the front players might end up touching the net when they are attempting to either spike or hit the ball over the net.
What if it was that done by accident?
If you cross the net or bump into the net or someone else bumps the net into you, it is not considered to be a fault, and play continues.
Of course, this is a subjective situation, so it is up to the referee to judge that!
Also, if the ball is on the other side of the net, and you happen to brush against the net while you are setting up to block, it is not considered to be a fault.
This is acceptable, and play continues. As long as you do not interfere with play, it is fine if any player touches the net accidentally.
Do those same rules apply for beach volleyball?
The rules are not the same for beach volleyball as they are for indoor volleyball…
In beach volleyball, no part of the player’s body or even the uniform is allowed to touch the net. However, players are allowed to play the ball out of the net during a serve and a volley!
In beach volleyball, it is also legal to cross under the net, but only as long as it does not interfere with the opposing team player’s attempt to play the ball.
The serve may touch the net as long as it passes over to the opposing team’s side. If the server misses the serve and the ball does not go over the net, a side out will be called, and a point is awarded to the opposing team.
Also, contact with the net by a beach player between the antennae during the action of playing the ball is considered to be a fault. When you say the action of playing the ball, it includes take-off, hit or attempt to hit, and landing safely, ready for a new play.
In almost all circumstances in beach volleyball, touching the net will likely end in you and your team losing the point. This is why most players make it a habit of not touching the net and practice good control.
Other volleyball violations you should know about …
Here are some other violations that you should know about …
- A player may touch the net outside the sideline boundary, the ropes or cables, or the post without causing a fault. But only if there is no interference to play in doing this. If there is any interference to play, it will be called a fault.
- If you reach over the net to play the ball while the ball is still on the other side of the net, it is considered to be a violation unless the other team has already used up all three of their hits, and there are no players close enough to play the ball.
- No player can attack the ball coming from the other side of the net before it breaks through the vertical plane. The attacker must never attack the ball before it comes across. They can technically block it, but only as long as no one else is close enough to the ball for it to be ruled as interfering with the opposing team’s play.
- If you stepped on the centerline and end up tripping an opponent or interfering with the play, it would be called a violation.
- It is also deemed to be a foul if any part of your body, other than your foot or hand, touches the centerline at any time during play.
- No player is allowed to take support from the net or any structure or teammate to keep from falling. If a player is about to commit a fault by crossing the centerline or falling into the net, a teammate is allowed to reach out and assist them or hold them back.
- The ball is considered to be out of bounds if it hits the antennae, the referee, the pole, or even the referee’s stand.
- If the ball hits the net outside the sidebands, the cables, ropes, posts, or antennae, the ball is ruled to be out of bounds, and the rally is over.
- The ball only remains in play until it has entirely passed the vertical plane of the net into the opposing team’s side. As soon as the ball makes it this far, the play is signaled to be dead, and the point is awarded.
- Back row players are prohibited from attacking the ball from in front of the attack line at any point in the play.
Final Thoughts …
This article might be quite boring for some people, however, it is extremely important to take the time and learn about these kinds of situations …
In fact, by learning all the violations and things you should avoid in volleyball, you will be able to adapt your style of playing and shape it in a way where you won’t commit those errors …
This will eventually make you an even better player!
Finally, I highly invite you to check those 2 useful articles: