Official Footvolley Rules

Version 2. Last change 01.01.2025

1 - Play area

The playing area comprises the playing field and the free zone. It must be rectangular and symmetrical.

1.1 - Dimensions

The playing field is a rectangle measuring 16m x 8m, surrounded by a free zone with a minimum width of 3 meters on all sides.

In official competitions, the free zone must be at least 5 meters from the back and side lines.

The free playing space is the space situated above the playing area and free of any obstacles with a minimum height of 8 meters, measured from the playing surface.

In official competitions, the minimum established height is 12 meters.

1.2 - Playing surface

A uniform playing surface must be sandy, level, and as flat as possible, free from stones, shells, or any other objects, and must not present any danger of injury to players.

In official competitions, the floor must have a minimum depth of 30 cm.

It is forbidden to mark the lines with solid materials.

1.3 - Lines, weather conditions and lighting of the playing field

1.3.1 All lines must be between 5cm and 8cm wide.

1.3.2 Boundary lines – The field of play is delimited by two side lines and two back lines that are drawn inside the field of play.

1.3.3 Center line – the axis of the center line that divides the field of play into two equal fields of 8m x 8m is not marked, considering, however, that the width of the imaginary line belongs simultaneously to both fields. This line extends under the net to the side lines, in an imaginary way.

1.3.4 The lines must be in contrasting colors with the color of the sand.

1.3.5 Weather conditions must not present any danger to players and must be compatible with outdoor competition.

1.3.6 For official competitions held at night, the lighting in the playing area must be between 1,000 to 1,500 lux, measured at a distance of 1 meter above the playing surface. It is up to the EFVL delegate to decide whether any of the above mentioned conditions are not in compliance.

2 - Net and posts

2.1 - Height of the net (REVIEW)

2.1.1 The net is placed vertically on the axis of the imaginary central line, with its upper edge at a height 2.20 m for men and 2.10 m for women. In the 4 by 4 variant, the height will be 2.00 m high.

2.1.2 Height is measured at the center of the playing field. The ends of the net (on the two side lines) must be at exactly the same height and must not exceed the regulatory height by more than 2 cm.

2.2 - Structure

The net measures 1m wide and 9.50 m to 19 m long (with 25 cm to 50 cm to the outside on each side of the side benches), preferably made of black thread with a square mesh measuring 10cm on each side. The mesh can be modified to facilitate advertising in the face of marketing agreements.

A horizontal strip of white fabric (or another bright color, often with advertising) is sewn along the upper edge of the net, folded 7 cm on each side. At each end there are holes where ropes pass or stretchers are attached to keep the lower part tense.

A flexible cable runs inside the band that fixes the net to the posts and keeps its upper part tense.

In the lower part of the net, another horizontal band 5 cm wide is sewn, identical to the upper band and inside which passes a rope that fixes the net to the posts and keeps its lower part tense.

2.3 - Side bands

Two white bands are fixed vertically on the net, exactly on each side line. The side bands are 5cm wide and 1 m long and are considered part of the net. Advertising is allowed on the sidebands of the net.

2.4 - Antennas

The rods are flexible rods, made of fiberglass or similar material, 1.80 m long and 10 mm in diameter. The rod is fixed to the upper edge of each side band and one to each side of the net.

The 80 cm of the rod that is above the upper edge of the net is painted with 10 cm bars in contrasting colors, preferably red and white. The rods are considered to be part of the net and laterally delimit the space for passing the ball.

2.5 - Posts

2.5.1 The posts support the net and are placed at a distance of 0.50 m to 1 m to the outside of each sideline. They must be 2.55 m high and preferably adjustable.

2.5.2 The posts must be round and polished, and must not have devices that constitute a danger or obstacle.

3 - Balls

3.1 - Features

The ball must be spherical, made of flexible natural or synthetic leather, with a rubber or similar material inside. Balls used in official competitions must comply with EFVL rules.

Its circumference is 68-70 cm and its weight is 410-440 g. The inside pressure of the ball must be 171 to 221 mbar (0.56 to 0.63 kg/cm2).

3.2 - Uniformity of the balls

The balls to be used in a game must have all the same characteristics in circumference, weight, pressure and design.

In official competitions, three balls must be used, which will be marked by the head of the refereeing team.

4 - Teams

4.1 - Composition of teams

For the game, a team consists of 2 players, plus:

• Technical team: one coach

• Medical team: a therapist and a doctor

Only those registered on the score sheet may enter the competition/control area and participate in the official warm-up and game.

4.1.2 One of the players is the team captain, and must be registered as such on the score sheet.

4.1.3 Only players registered on the score sheet may enter the field and participate in the game.

4.2 – Placement of the team

4.2.1 The teams' benches are placed in the corners of the game area, on the side of the scorer's table, outside the free zone, and can only be used by the players.

4.2.2 During a time-out or a medical time out, it is allowed for the teams technical team (coach) and medical team (therapist or doctor) to sit on the bench as well.

4.2.3 During timeouts, players can warm up with or without the ball in the free zone, at the back of their field.

4.2.4 During breaks between sets, players can warm up with or without the ball in the free zone, at the back of their field. During the extended break between sets 2 and 3 (if applicable) they can use their own court as they wish.

4.3 – Equipment

The players' equipment consists of a shirt and shorts.

4.3.1 The color and design of the shirts and shorts must be the same for the team members.

4.3.2 The players' jerseys must be numbered with 1 and 2 in doubles and from 1 to 4 if you play 4 vs 4 and there is 1 possible substitution, in the courts. If there are substitutions the player jerseys must be numbered 5, 6 etc.

4.3.2.1 The numbers must be placed in the center of the chest and at the back. The color and shine of the numbers must contrast with the color and shine of the jerseys.

4.4 - Prohibited objects

4.4.1 It is prohibited to use objects that may cause injuries or provide artificial advantages to players.

4.4.2 Players may, under their sole responsibility, wear glasses or lenses.

4.4.3 Compression equipment (injury protection equipment) may be used for protection or support. Players must play barefoot, unless authorized by the refereeing team, in view of any medical need, and in these cases, they may play in socks.

5 - Team leaders

The team captain and coach are both responsible for the conduct and discipline of their team members.

5.1 - Captain

5.1.1 Before the game, the team captain represents his team in the draw.

5.1.2 During the game, only the captain is authorized to speak with the referees:

5.1.2.1 To ask for an explanation about the application or interpretation of the Rules, as well as to ask questions from the teammate. If the captain does not agree with the 1st referee's explanation, he may choose to protest this decision and immediately express to the 1st referee that he reserves the right to record an official protest on the scoresheet at the end of the game.

5.1.2.2 To request authorization to change part or complete equipment; to control the conditions of the playing surface, net, balls, etc.

5.1.2.3 To request a time-out.

5.1.3 At the end of the game the team captain greets the referees and signs the score sheet to confirm the result.

5.2 - Coach

5.2.1 During the game, the coach directs his team's game from outside the field of play.

5.2.2 The coach can, like the other elements of the team, give instructions to the players that are in the field, if not causing any disturbance or delay in the game.

6 – To score a point, win a set and the game

6.1. - To score a point

6.1.1 Point

A team will score a point:

• By making the ball touch the ground of the opponent's field;

• When the opposing team commits a foul;

• When the opposing team is penalized.

6.1.2 Lack

A team commits a foul when it performs a game action that is contrary to the rules (or in violation of the rules in any other way). The referees judge the faults and determine the consequences according to the rules.

If two or more faults are committed successively, only the first is sanctioned.

6.1.3 Action and complete action

A rally is the sequence of game actions from the service being performed until the ball is no longer in play. A complete move is the sequence of game actions that result in a point being awarded. This includes the application of a penalty and the loss of service for the fault due to having exceeded the time limit.

6.1.3.1 If the serving team wins the rally, it scores a point and continues to serve.

6.1.3.2 If the receiving team wins the rally, it scores a point and must serve next.

6.2 – To win a set

A set (except the decisive 3rd set) is won by the team that first scores 18 points, with a minimum difference of two points. In case of a tie at 17-17, the game continues indefinitely until there is a difference of two points.

Occasionally, there may be certain adjustments, depending on the needs of the competition in question, as long as they are duly approved and decreed by the EFVL.

For example, if the match schedule has to be strictly timed because of TV broadcast agreements, the EFVL can decide to use the ‘killer point’ system. This means that in case of a tie at 17-17, the game continues until there is a difference of two points or until one team scores 21 points (the killer point). In a 3rd set (until 15) the killer point would then be 18.

6.3 - To win a game

• The game is won by the team that wins 1 set (best of one set), or 2 sets (best of three sets), depending on the stage of the competition that is taking place.

  • In the case of a 1-1 result in sets, the decisive 3rd set is played.

6.4 - Absence and incomplete team

• If a team refuses to play after being called up to do so, it is declared as absent and loses the game, by 0-18 in each set;

• A team that, without a justified reason, does not show up at the scheduled time of the game on the field of play, is declared absent/no-show with the same result as the previous point. They must show up at the latest 10 minutes after the scheduled time.

• A team that is declared INCOMPLETE for a set or for the game, loses the set, or the game. The remaining points and sets in order to win the set or game are awarded to the opposing team. The incomplete team keeps the points and sets won.

7 - Game Structure

7.1 - Draw

Before the game, the 1st referee draws to choose the first service and the fields for the first set.

If a decisive set is played, a new draw is made.

7.1.1 The draw is carried out in the presence of the two team captains.

7.1.2 Whoever wins the draw chooses either the right to serve or to receive the service; or the field.

7.1.3 The loser, and in case there is a second set, will choose in the next set.

7.2 – Initial team training and service rotation

There must always be two players per team in play. The marker sheet indicates the service rotation order of the players on the field, and must be maintained throughout the set.

When there is an error in the rotation of the service, the rally must be invalidated and the point must be replayed. If the error is not realised until after the rally is finished, the correct order will be introduced, but the point from the previous rally will count.

8 - Game Situations

8.1 - Ball in play

The ball is in play from the hit on service, after authorization by the 1st referee.

8.2 – Ball out of play

The ball is no longer in play when a foul signaled by one of the referees is committed; in case there is no foul, the rally ends at the moment of the referee's whistle.

8.3 - Inside Ball

The ball is in, when at any moment of contact with the ground of the field of play, some part of the ball touches the field, including the lines that delimit it.

8.4 - Ball Out

The ball is out when:

• The surface of the ball that touches the ground is completely outside the boundary/boundary lines;

• It touches an object outside the playing field, the ceiling, or someone foreign to the game;

• It touches the antennas, cables, ropes, posts or the net on the outside of the side bands;

• It crosses the vertical plane of the net, totally or partially outside the passage space;

• It completely crosses the lower space located under the net.

9 – Play the ball

Each team must play within its own playing area and space, however, the ball can be recovered even outside the free zone.

9.1. – Team touches

A touch is any contact by a player in play with the ball.

Each team is entitled to a maximum of three hits to return the ball. If more than these hits are made, the team commits a “FOUR HITS” foul. A block does not count as a touch (see point 14.1).

9.1.1 - Consecutive Touches

A player cannot touch the ball twice in a row.

9.1.2 - Simultaneous Touches

Two or three players can touch the ball simultaneously.

• When two (or three) teammates touch the ball simultaneously, two (or three) touches are counted (with the exception of the block). If the players collide with each other, they are not fouled.

• When two opponents simultaneously touch the ball above the net and the ball remains in play, the team that receives the ball is entitled, again, to three hits. This counts as a block (see point 14.1). If the ball is “out”, it is a fault by the defending team and the point goes to the attacking team.

If there are simultaneous touches between two opponents above the net, even if it is a prolonged contact with the ball, the play continues.

9.1.3 - Assisted Touch

Within the playing area, a player is not allowed to lean on a teammate or any structure/object to touch the ball.

However, a player who is about to commit a foul (touching the net or crossing the center line, etc.) may be grabbed or pulled by a teammate.

9.2 - Characteristics of ball touch

9.2.1 The ball can be touched with any part of the body, except hands, arms and forearms.

9.2.2 Consecutive hits can be performed during a block by one or several blockers, provided that these hits occur during the same action.

9.3 - Fouls when playing the ball

9.3.1 Four touches: a team touches the ball four times before returning it.

9.3.2 Assisted touch: a player, inside the playing area, leans on a teammate or on a structure/object to contact the ball.

9.3.3 Two touches: a player touches the ball twice in a row, or the ball successively touches several parts of his body.

10 - Ball in the Net

10.1 - Passage of the ball, through the vertical plane of the net

10.1.1 The ball sent to the opponent's field must pass over the net through the passage space. The passage space is the part of the vertical plane of the network bounded by:

• below by the top of the net;

• laterally by the antennas and their imaginary extension;

• up through the ceiling.

10.1.2 The ball that has passed the vertical plane of the net to the opposing free zone, totally or partially, through the external space, can be returned within the limit of the regulatory touches of the team, provided that:

• the player does not touch the opponent's field;

• the ball, when returned, passes again the vertical plane of the net totally or partially through the external space on the same side of the field.

The opposing team cannot prevent this action.

10.1.3 The ball that goes to the opponent's field through the lower space of the net is in play if it is returned back without interfering with the other team. The ball has to be returned also under the net.

10.2 – Ball touching the net

The ball passing the net may touch it.

10.3 - Ball in the net

10.3.1 The ball sent to the net may be recovered within the limit of the team's three hits, but not on a serve.

10.3.2 If the ball breaks the meshes of the net or drops it, the rally is annulled and repeated.

11 – Player in the net

11.1 - Passage over the net

11.1.1 In the block, a player can touch the ball on the other side of the net, as long as it does not interfere with the opponent's play before or during his last attack hit.

11.1.2 After an attack, the player may pass part of the body to the other side of the net, provided that the contact with the ball has taken place in his own playing space.

11.2 - Penetration under the net

11.2.1 It is allowed to penetrate the opponent's space under the net as long as it does not interfere with the opponent's play

11.2.2 Penetration into the opponent's court beyond the imaginary center line:

11.2.2.1 It is allowed to touch the opponent's field, as long as it does not interfere with the opponent's play.

11.2.2 A player may enter the opponent's field after the ball is considered out of play.

11.2.3 Players may enter the free zone of the opponent's field as long as they do not interfere with the opponent's play.

11.3 - Touching the net

11.3.1 If a player touches the net with any part of the body between the antennas, during the action of playing the ball, is a fault.

11.3.2 Players may touch the posts, cables or any other objects outside the antennas, including the net itself, as long as this action does not interfere with the play.

11.4 - Player fouls at the net

11.4.1 A player touches the ball or an opponent in the opponent's space, before or during his attack.

11.4.2 A player interferes with the opponent's play if he enters the opponent's space under the net.

11.4.3 A player interferes with play if (among others):

• touches the net between the antennas or the antennas themselves during the action of playing the ball,

• uses the net between the antennas as a support or stabilization aid,

• creates an unfair advantage over the opponent by touching the net,

• performs actions that hinder a legitimate attempt by the opponent to play the ball.

Players who are close to the ball being played, or who attempt to play it, are considered to be in the action of playing the ball, even if they are not in contact with the ball.

12 – Service

The service is the action of putting the ball in play, performed in the service zone.

12.1 - The first service of the set and the decisive 3rd set is performed by the team determined by the draw

In the 2nd set, the team that lost the toss can still choose whether to serve, receive, or the field of play.

12.2 - Order of service

Players can choose which order they start serving, and this order must be kept until the end of the set.

The first referee authorizes the service to be performed after verifying that both teams are ready to play and the player who will serve is in possession of the ball.

12.3 - Execution of the service

12.3.1 The ball is hit with the foot.

12.3.2 It is only allowed to hit the ball from the ground.

12.3.3 When the ball is hit on service, the serving player cannot touch the field of play (end line included), nor the ground outside the service zone.

Only after the hit, the player may step into the field of play.

12.3.4 The player who performs the service must hit the ball within eight seconds following the whistle of the 1st referee for its execution.

12.3.5 The service performed before the referee's whistle must be canceled and repeated.

12.4 - Curtain

Players of the serving team cannot, by means of an individual or collective curtain, prevent opponents from seeing the serving player and the trajectory of the ball.

A player or group of players on the serving team makes a curtain if they wave their arms, jump or move sideways while serving, or come together to cover/hide the serving player and the ball's path.

12.5 – Faults committed during the service

The following faults require a change of service when:

• The serving player violates the service order;

• Does not perform the service correctly.

Faults after the execution of the service:

After the service has been correctly performed, it will be considered a fault if the ball:

• touches a player of the team that serves or does not completely pass the vertical plane of the net through the passage space;

• lands outside of the playing field.

• passes over a curtain.

13 – Attack

13.1 - Attack Characteristics

13.1.1 Any action of sending the ball to the opponent's field is considered an attack, with the exception of the service and the block.

13.1.2 The attack is considered effective when the ball completely passes the vertical plane of the net or is touched by an opponent.

14 – Block

14.1 – Block

14.1.1 Block is the action of players placed near the net to intercept a ball coming from the opponent's field. The ball must be above the upper edge of the net.

Consecutive touches (quick and continuous) can be made, as long as they happen during the same action.

In the block, a player may pass his head or feet over the net, to the other side, as long as this action does not interfere with the opponent's play. Thus, it is not allowed to contact the ball over the net without the opponent executing an attack.

Touching the ball in a block does not count as a team touch. Thus, after hitting the block, the team is still entitled to perform three hits to return the ball.

The first touch after the block can be made by any player, including the player who contacted the ball on the block.

Blocking an opposing service is not allowed.

15 – Interruptions

An interruption is the amount of time between a complete play and the 1st referee's whistle for the next service. The only regular game interruptions are the time-outs.

15.1 - Number of regulatory interruptions

Each team will be entitled to a time-out if this is indicated by the organization, according to the stage of the competition in question, being adaptable, according to the needs.

15.2 - Request for regulatory interruptions

Regular game interruptions may be requested by the game captain, and only by him.

15.3 - Time-out and technical time-out

The time-out request must be made through the official gesture, when the ball is not in play and before the whistle for service. All requested time-outs have a duration of 1 minute.

During all time-outs the players in play must move to the free zone next to their chairs.

16 – Game delays

16.1 - Types of delay

An irregular action by a team that delays the restart of the game is a delay and includes, among others:

16.1.1 delay an interruption of regular play;

16.1.2 prolong interruptions after receiving an indication to restart play;

16.1.3 repeat an unfounded claim;

16.1.4 delay of play by a team member.

16.2 – Penalties for delay

16.2.1 The “delay warning” and the “delay penalty” are team sanctions.

16.2.1.1 Delay sanctions are effective for the entire game.

16.2.1.2 All delay sanctions are recorded on the scoresheet.

16.2.2 The first delay in the game caused by any element of the team is sanctioned with a “WARNING FOR DELAY”

16.2.3 The second delay and the following ones, of any kind, caused by any element of the same team, in the same game, are considered a fault and sanctioned with a “DELAY PENALTY”: one point and service to the opponent.

16.2.4 Delay sanctions imposed before or between sets are applied in the following set.

17 – Exceptional game interruptions

17.1 - injury/illness

17.1.1 If a serious accident occurs with the ball in play, the referee must immediately stop play and allow medical assistance to enter the field.

The play will be repeated (if possible to continue).

17.1.2 3 minutes are allowed to recover, but only once for the same player during the game. If the player does not recover his team is declared incomplete.

17.2 - External interference

If any external interference occurs during play, play must be stopped and repeated.

17.3 - Prolonged interruptions

17.3.1 When unforeseen circumstances interrupt the game, the 1st referee, the organizers and the EFVL delegate, being present, will decide on the measures to be taken so that normal conditions are restored.

17.3.2 In the event of one or more interruptions whose total duration does not exceed 4 hours:

17.3.2.1 If play resumes on the same field of play, the interrupted set is resumed normally with the same score and players. Completed sets retain their results;

17.3.2.2 If the game restarts in another field of play, the interrupted set is canceled and restarted with the same elements of the teams and the record of all sanctions is kept.

17.3.3 In the event of one or more interruptions that exceed a total of 4 hours, the game will be repeated in its entirety

18 – Time-out and field changes

An interval is the period of time between sets, when the game is played to the best of 3. Intervals last three minutes.

During this period of time, the team that lost the toss, approached by the 2nd referee, chooses between keeping the ball, receiving the ball, or the side of the field they want.

18.1 - Change of sides in set to 18

During the set, the teams change sides, normally every 6 points. There may be different criteria, by decision of the competition organization, with the approval of the EFVL delegate.

18.2 - Change of sides in set to 15

In the case of the decisive set (until 15 points), in games with 3 sets, the change of sides will be carried out every 5 points.

19 – Sports Conduct

19.1 - Participants must know the “Official Footvolley Rules” and comply with them.

19.2 - Participants must accept the referees' decisions with sportsmanship, without discussing them.

In case of doubt, only the game captain can ask for clarification.

19.2.1 Participants must refrain from taking positions or attitudes aimed at influencing the referees' decisions or covering up faults committed by their team.

19.3 - Sportsmanship

Participants must behave in a respectful and courteous manner, in the spirit of SPORTSMANSHIP, both towards referees and other officials, opponents, colleagues and spectators.

20 – Misbehavior and sanctions

20.1 - Minor misbehavior

Minor misbehavior is not subject to sanction. It is the duty of the 1st referee to prevent teams from approaching the sanction level.

This is done on two levels:

• 1st level: delivering a verbal warning to the game captain.

• 2nd level: through showing the YELLOW CARD for the team member who committed the breach. This formal warning is not in itself a sanction, but a sign that the team member (and by extension the team) has reached the sanction level for the game. It is recorded on the scoresheet but has no immediate consequences.

20.2 - Incorrect behavior that implies sanctions

Incorrect behavior by any team member towards the referee team, opponents, teammates or the public is classified into three categories according to the seriousness of the acts.

20.2.1 Rude behavior: action contrary to good manners or moral principles.

20.2.2 Offensive behavior: defamatory or insulting words or gestures or any action expressing contempt.

20.2.3 Aggression: Actual physical attack or aggressive or threatening behavior.

20.3 - Scale of Sanctions

According to the judgment of the 1st referee and taking into account the seriousness of the acts, the sanctions to be applied and to be recorded on the score sheet are: Penalty, Expulsion or Disqualification.

20.3.1 Penalty. The first rude behavior of any element of the team, in the game, is penalized with a point and the service for the opponent

20.3.2 Expulsion

20.3.2.1 An element of the team that is sanctioned with expulsion cannot play until the end of the set, therefore the team loses the respective set.

20.3.2.2 The first offensive behavior of a team member is sanctioned with expulsion, without further consequences.

20.3.2.3 The second rude behavior in the same game by the same team member is sanctioned with expulsion, without further consequences.

20.3.3 Disqualification

20.3.3.1 A team member who is sanctioned with disqualification must leave the Competition/Control area for the remainder of the game. The team loses the game without further consequences.

20.3.3.2 The first physical or implied attack or threat of aggression is sanctioned with disqualification, without further consequences.

20.4 - Application of sanctions for incorrect behavior

20.4.1 All sanctions for misbehavior are individual, game-wide and recorded on the scoresheet.

20.4.2 The repetition of incorrect behavior by the same team member, in the same game, is sanctioned progressively (the team member receives a heavier sanction for each successive foul).

20.4.3 Expulsion or disqualification resulting from offensive behavior or aggression does not require a prior sanction.

20.5 – Incorrect behavior before and between sets

All misbehavior that occurs before or between sets are sanctioned in accordance with Rule 20.3 and sanctions are applied in the following set.

20.6 – Summaries of incorrect behavior and cards used

1. Warning: no sanction.

   1. 1st level: verbal warning.

   2. 2nd level: yellow card.

2. Penalty: sanctioned with red card.

3. Expulsion: sanctioned with red and yellow cards together.

4. Disqualification: sanctioned with separate red and yellow cards.

Referees

Philosophy of Rules and Arbitration

The essence of a good referee is based on the concepts of fairness and consistency.

• Be fair to all participants;

• Be seen as fair by spectators;

This requires a high degree of trust – the referee must be a person who can be trusted to allow the players to enjoy themselves:

• Being exact and consistent in your judgments;

• Understanding why the rule exists;

• Being an efficient organizer;

• Allowing the competition to run its course, driving it to its conclusion;

• Being an educator – using the rules to penalize the dishonest and admonish the incorrect;

• Promoting the game – that is to say allowing the spectacular elements of the game to shine and the best players to do what they do best: entertain the public.

Finally, we can say that a good referee will use the rules to make the competition an experience that satisfies everyone involved.

Necessary work material

All referees need to have a clock, coin, pen, whistle and cards.

Different types of Referees

1st Referee

The 1st referee performs his duties standing on a platform placed at one end of the net. Vision should be approximately 50 cm above the net.

The 1st referee directs the game from start to finish. He/she has authority over the entire refereeing team and team members.

During the game, the decisions of the 1st referee are final. He/she has the authority to overturn the decisions of the other members of the refereeing team if they are believed to be wrong.

He/she can even replace a member of the refereeing team who is not performing his duties correctly.

He/she also controls the work of cleaning assistants.

They have the power to decide on all matters in the game, including those not covered by the rules.

They must not allow any discussion of their decisions. However, at the request of the game captain, the 1st referee will explain the application or interpretation of the rules on which he based his decision. If the game captain does not agree with the 1st referee's explanation and decides to protest this decision, he must immediately declare that he reserves the right to record this protest on the scoresheet at the end of the game. The 1st referee must authorize the game captain to use this right.

The 1st referee is responsible for deciding, before and during the game, whether the field of play, equipment and other conditions allow the game to be played.

Before the game the 1st referee:

• inspects the condition of the playing area, balls and other equipment,

• performs the draw with the team captains,

• controls the teams warm up.

During the game the 1st referee is authorized to:

• apply warnings to teams,

• apply sanctions for incorrect behavior or delays,

And decides on:

• the fouls of the serving player and the positional fouls of the serving team, including the curtain,

• fouls in touches of the ball,

• fouls above the net and whether or not the player touches the net, especially on the attacking side,

• the ball that completely crosses the lower space of the net,

At the end of the game, check and sign the scorecard.

2nd Referee

The 2nd referee performs his duties standing outside the field of play, next to the post, on the opposite side and facing the 1st referee.

The 2nd referee is the assistant to the 1st referee, but also has his/her own area of ​​jurisdiction.

• Must replace the 1st referee if he/she becomes unable to perform his/her duties.

• Can, without whistling, signal faults that go beyond its competence, but he/she must not insist (better wording?) with the 1st referee.

• Controls the work of the score referee.

• Controls the team members in the substitutes' bench, indicating to the 1st referee any misconduct.

• Authorizes regular game interruptions, controls their duration and rejects unfounded requests.

• Controls the number of “Time-outs” informing the 1st referee.

• In case of injury to a player, allow three minutes for recovery.

• Check the state of the soil, and also checks, during the game, that the balls maintain the regulatory conditions.

Responsibilities

During the game decides, whistles and signals:

• Penetration into the opponent's court and into the space under the net;

• the missing touch (?) of the players with the net, mainly on the side of the block and with the stick (antenna?) on their side of the field;

• the contact of the ball with an external object;

• the contact of the ball with the ground when the 1st referee is not in a position to see it;

• the ball that crosses, totally or partially, the net outside the passage space or touches the stick (antenna?) on his/her side of the field;

• At the end of the game checks and signs the score sheet.

Score Referee (Table)

The score referee performs his duties sitting on the scorer's table opposite the 1st referee and facing him.

Fill in the scoresheet according to the rules, in cooperation with the 2nd referee.

Use a horn or other audible device to signal irregularities or provide information to the referees on the basis of their responsibilities.

Before the game and set, the score marker: records the data referring to the game and the teams,

During the game, the score marker: records the points obtained; controls the rotation order of the service of each team, notifying the referees immediately after the execution/hitting of the service, any error verified; informs the referees of requests for regulatory time-out interruptions; informs the referees of the end of sets; records warnings, sanctions and unfounded requests; records all other occurrences as instructed by the 2nd referee, e.g. recovery time, prolonged interruptions, outside interference, etc.; controls the interval between sets;

At the end of the game, the score marker: records the final result; in case of protest, with the prior authorization of the 1st referee, writes or allows the team captain to write on the score sheet his statement of the facts that are contested; signs the score sheet before collecting first the team captains' and then the referees' signatures.

Line Referee

If there are only two line judges, they stand diagonally at a distance of 1 to 2 m from the right corners of each of the referees.

Each controls the end line and sideline on their side.

With four line judges, they stand in the free zone at a distance of 1 to 3 m from each corner of the field, in the imaginary extension of the line under their responsibility/control.

The line judges exercise their function using flags (40 x 40 cm) to signal:

• ball “in” or “out” whenever the ball touches the ground/floor near its line(s);

• balls "out" touched by the receiving team;

• the ball that touches the antenna, the service ball and the third touch of a team that pass the net outside the passage space, etc.;

• any player (except the one who serves) who is out of his court at the time the service is performed;

• fouls made by foot of the serving player;

• any touch of the upper 80 cm of the antenna on his/her side of the field by any player when playing the ball or interfering with the play;

• the ball that crosses the net outside the passage space into the opponent's court or touches the antenna on its side of the field.

At the request of the 1st referee, the line judge must repeat his gesture.

Different levels of Referees

• Beginner

• National

• International

Level UP is based on criteria defined by the EFVL

Signs

Official gestures of the Referees

Referees must indicate through official gestures the reason why they whistled (nature of the fault or authorized interruption). The gesture must be maintained for some time and, if made with one hand, that hand is that of the side of the team that committed the fault or made the request.

Line referee gestures

Sanctions

Sanctions scale for incorrect behavior

Sanctions scale for delay in game

Pre match protocol

Before the competition begins, the head of the refereeing team must:

• check the dimensions and the quality of the lines;

• check the height of the net, and if it is properly tense;
  (height must be measured using a marked pole, first in the center of the ground, and then at the ends. At the ends, the maximum difference allowed is 2 cm)

• check if the antennas are properly perpendicular to the lines;
  (antennas must be outside each sideband.)

• check if the referee's chair and the posts are properly protected, presenting no danger to the players.

• check additional equipment: benches for teams, scorer's table, if there are cables. If so, decide if they represent danger;

• choose at least 3 balls, check the pressure with the manometer, and mark them.

During the competition, and before each match, the first referee must check that these instructions are properly observed and repeat them if necessary.

The first referee must verify that the athletes' equipment is in accordance with the required conditions (if they are the same, if they have numbers etc.).

During the game, it is the responsibility of the second referee to check that the balls are in proper condition.

In the presentation of the teams, before the game starts, the first and second referees must be in the center of the field of play, facing the central bench and television equipment. The first on the right of the net, the second on the left. Each team must occupy a place on one side of the net.