Rules (FIVB and USAV) : service authorisation

Christian Perrier

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Apr 18, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/18/97

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I had this case very recently in the french National League (thus FIVB 1996-
2000 rules).

A server of one team uses to start serving (jump serve) from _outside_ the
service zone. He waits for me to whistle with the ball in his hands but AT THE
RIGHT of the side line extension (see diagram) :

I ask him (very clearly, I think...) to move so that he is in the service zone
and then I may authorize the service. He refuses (or did not understand). Then
he gets a yellow card for delay with the explanation to him and to his team
captain.

After this and during the whole game he served by starting from within the
service zone and I had no more problem.

I discussed this with my second (who is a far more experienced national referee
than myself...) after the game and he was not really sure wether I was right or
not.

My interpretation AT THE MOMENT was : "I may whistle if and only if the teams
are ready to play and the server is in possession of the ball IN THE SERVICE
ZONE".

A very careful check into the rule book (FIVB 1996-2000) seems to show that I
was wrong.

Rule 13.3 only says "the first referee authorises the service after having
checked that the two teams are ready to play and that the server is in
possession of the ball". Nothing else is mentioned.

By looking into last year USAV rule book, I noticed a small difference : 17.5.1
(these are old numbers) says "the server may move freely INSIDE THE SERVICE
ZONE". I conclude that (provided this was not changed this year) my call would
have been correct in USAV. Unfortunately, I was of course officiating for
FFVB...:-)))

I would be glad to see some comments about this from both USAV and
international officials...

Kevin Lentin

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Apr 20, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/20/97

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Christian Perrier <bub...@bubhome.frmug.org> wrote:

> I ask him (very clearly, I think...) to move so that he is in the service zone
> and then I may authorize the service. He refuses (or did not understand). Then
> he gets a yellow card for delay with the explanation to him and to his team
> captain.

Oops.

> My interpretation AT THE MOMENT was : "I may whistle if and only if the teams
> are ready to play and the server is in possession of the ball IN THE SERVICE
> ZONE".

> A very careful check into the rule book (FIVB 1996-2000) seems to show that I
> was wrong.

Yep, the 'in the service zone' qualification does not exist.

--
< NB Unless otherwise stated, all my comments on rules refer to FIVB rules >
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Christian Perrier

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Apr 21, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/21/97

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[Please do not send me an email copy when replying in mailing
lists or in newsgroups]

In article <5jcf15$vnj$2...@harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au>,
kev...@cs.monash.edu.au says...

> > My interpretation AT THE MOMENT was : "I may whistle if and only if the teams
> > are ready to play and the server is in possession of the ball IN THE SERVICE
> > ZONE".
>
> > A very careful check into the rule book (FIVB 1996-2000) seems to show that I
> > was wrong.
>
> Yep, the 'in the service zone' qualification does not exist.

Amazingly, I asked the same question to both of our "federal" referees I
was travelling with yesterday ("federal" ref is the topmost level for
referees in France, below International referees). Both found the case
quite embarassing.....and both would have more or less done the same
than me.

We concluded that it should be asked to one of our international
referees (P. Rachard, the french representative at Atlanta Olympics as
well as maybe JF Marty who was the responsible for all referees there).
I will maybe have his answer soon.

But I'm quite sure I was wrong....:-)

Kevin Lentin

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Apr 22, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/22/97

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Christian Perrier <bub...@bubhome.frmug.org> wrote:

> Amazingly, I asked the same question to both of our "federal" referees I
> was travelling with yesterday ("federal" ref is the topmost level for
> referees in France, below International referees). Both found the case
> quite embarassing.....and both would have more or less done the same
> than me.

> We concluded that it should be asked to one of our international
> referees (P. Rachard, the french representative at Atlanta Olympics as
> well as maybe JF Marty who was the responsible for all referees there).
> I will maybe have his answer soon.

> But I'm quite sure I was wrong....:-)

From:
1996 GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL REFEREES
regarding FIVB Official Volleyball Rules
(to be approved by the Board of Administration in March 1996)
[I presume they did]

Rule 1 - PLAYING AREA

5. e) By a jump service, the server may take a start to serve outside the
service zone, but the take-off must be in the service zone.

END QUOTE.