Rules Interpreter

The Rules Interpreter shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Committee to serve during such President’s term.

2024-25 external documents

Previous years (still relevant)

Questions and Answers

Q- Collars are legal and do not require a letter from CHSAA.

  • 2024-Sep-15 - Coaches on the Sidelines

    Hello All:

    I received an email from the head coach at Front Range Christian in Littleton.  She shared with me the following concern:

    I have a question that has sprung up at today’s contest (9/14/24). The ref has told me that only one assistant can stand with the head coach during dead balls, including time-outs. She also said that only the head coach can stand during live play, rather than one coach in general.

    Can you provide me with a clear answer? Even the refs seem split on the issue.

    If she misunderstood in conveying her understanding of the situation, she has been given the proper ruling.  I am sharing the Rules pertaining to this in case our officials are not clear and she was misinformed.  

    She was correctly informed that only the head coach may stand during play according to Rule 9-1-1 and Rule 12-2-5.  It is correct that only the head coach may stand during live ball play.  Assistant coaches are not allowed to stand during live ball play even if the head coach chooses to remain seated.  

    Rule 12-2-6 addresses this for assistant coaches.   It is on page 52 of the current year’s rule book.
    One assistant coach may stand within the coaching zone during dead-ball situations. All other assistant coaches shall remain seated on the bench during the set except to:
    Item c: confer with players during timeouts.

    Rule 12-2-5   There are no restrictions on which team members may or may not participate in a time-out.  Team members are defined in Rule 6-1: Team members consist of all school representatives located in the team bench area, including but not limited to coaches, teammates, managers, certified athletic trainers, and the players. 
    All coaches and players at the bench may stand during a time-out. This is not the same as a dead-ball situation between plays which allows only one assistant coach to stand until the serve is beckoned.   

    Regards,

    Nici Akey CVOA Rules Interpreter

  • 2024-Sep-11 - Replacing an injured libero and Pre-match Protocol

    Hello all:

    I sent the following information from one of the Area Directors to the NFHS interpreter for further information that is not stated in our Rules and Case books.  Please find their response noted by “NFHS Reply” after each question.

    1st Question – Replacing an injured libero

    The Rule book states in Rule 10.4.3.a(1) – Injury substitution – If the libero is injured and cannot continue to play, the libero shall first be replaced by the player whom the libero replaced.    
    If the player must go back in, as the rule states, then does a dead ball have to occur prior to the new libero coming in? 

    NFHS Reply:  Based on Rule 10-4-3a(1) – Team A would send the replacement player onto the court for the libero and then an immediate re-designation could occur during the same dead ball. By stating that the re-designation does not have to occur immediately implies that it can occur immediately. This also aligns with the new rules change to 11-4 when a stoppage occurs during play for an injured libero.

    The rule book does not say that the new libero can come in immediately.  It only says the player the libero replaced must replace the libero.  
    If the injury caused an interruption during play and therefore a replay is called, is this considered a replay, which would then restrict any further action?

    NFHS Reply:  A replacement and a substitution can take place now based on the rule change to 11-4-1b.

    Can the libero then immediately replace the original player or do they have to wait for another dead ball?

    NFHS Reply:  As long as they are on the bench, they can come in immediately. A player cannot be subbed off of the floor and re-designated and re-entered on the same dead ball. That player would have to sit out a rotation and then enter.

    NFHS Reply:  We have a situation 10.4.2 B in the Case Book that needs to be edited. It currently states that re-designation couldn’t happen on the same dead ball, but that is not consistent with the intent of the new rule change to 11-4-1b. Even though one deals with a substitution and the other deals with a re-designation – the intent is to allow the appropriately trained position player to assume the backrow position (avoid the middle blocker playing out of position). The ruling of the situation is correct because it does have a player on the court subbing out and re-entering on the same dead ball. This would not be allowed.

    2nd Question – Pre-match protocol

    Specific to the players’ actions once the R1 takes a step toward the court and beckons both teams onto the court to shake hands.  Pg 67 #6 indicates that they go to the bench area if they do not shake hands.  Our teams all run to the net and shake hands.  Page 68 says that the players are to assume their positions on the court from the end lines.  

    Our typical protocol is that the players line up on the end lines, the National Anthem is sung, and the players are introduced.  The R1 then whistles and beckons them to the net and they shake hands with the opponents.  At this time some teams huddle in the middle of the court and move into their starting positions.  Other teams go to the sidelines and huddle with the coach.  The officials then often remind them to take their places on the court if the huddle is taking too long.  

    Can you provide clarification on the intent of the rule specific to our current protocol?  

    NFHS Reply:  Rule 5-4-3c(1) is allowing states/schools to allow all players to stand on the end lines during the national anthem, etc. It is not mandatory and still allows for local protocols. The next part of the rule is the signal for starters to take the court – this is when that pregame high-five line takes place. Bench players should then go to the bench and starters take the floor.

    NFHS Reply:  The Officials Manual is trying to address what can be done in situations in which players are not shaking hands – this is not a rule.

    NFHS Reply:  If bench or on court huddles are taking up too much time, I would advise addressing any issues with this protocol during the pre-match meeting. Remind coaches that after the good luck line, players should take their positions on the court – understanding that a quick on-court huddle is okay.

    Regards,

    Nici Akey, Rules Interpreter

  • 2024-Sep-8 - Illegal Libero Replacement

    The Libero replacement must be completed prior to the first referee beckoning for serve.  This is in Rule 10.4.1f which states on page 47 of the Rules Book that “A libero replacement shall be completed during a dead ball prior to the whistle and signal for serve.”  Continue to page 48 under Penalties: 1 If an illegal libero replacement is identified after whistle/signal for serve, illegal alignment results (loss of rally/point).  In all cases, the illegal libero shall enter legally or be replaced by a legal player.  This is not an area of warning.  An illegal replacement has occurred once the beckon for serve has occurred.  The penalty is assessed as per the Rule Book. 

    After discussion with Bruce, we have agreed that the Libero can then stay in the set.  During the first dead ball, the transition was not completed until after the beckon for serve.  The penalty is assessed and a new dead ball is now in play.  Even though a serve had not occurred, because this penalty is assessed at the beckon or whistle/signal for serve, the play is now over and we have a new dead ball situation. 

    I highly encourage officials who work NFHS as well as NCAA and/or USAV to review the rules comparison to avoid misapplying rules to the NFHS that are not the same as these other two rule codes.

    Rules Comparison for Incorrect libero replacement taken from the comparison sheet link on the CVOARef.org website under the Rules Interpreter tab. 

    NCAA Women
    • Can be corrected by the team prior to the next service contact.
    • Officials should correct errors as soon as they are recognized, including prior to the next service contact; if officials get involved with correction, a delay sanction is assessed.
    • If play begins (service contact) after incorrect replacement, a position fault occurs.

    USAV
    • Can be corrected by the team prior to the next service contact.
    • Officials should correct errors as soon as they are recognized, including prior to the next service contact; if officials get involved with correction, a delay sanction is assessed.
    • If play begins (service contact) after incorrect replacement, a position fault occurs.

    NFHS
    • Can be corrected by the team prior to the service beckon.
    • Officials should correct errors as soon as they are recognized, including prior to the next service contact; if officials get involved with correction, unnecessary delay is charged.
    • If play begins (with whistle for serve) after incorrect replacement, illegal alignment occurs.

    Regards,
    Nici Akey, Rules Interpreter

  • 2024-Sep-6 - Line Judges and Huddle clarifications

    Hello all:

    I am sending this as a clarification on two items as noted in the subject line.

    Line Judges:
    As per Rule 5, Section 1, Art 1 Note: Line judges, unless determined otherwise by state association policy, shall be provided by the host school. Each team is not required to provide a line judge. Colorado has not adopted a change to this rule.

    Pre-match huddle:
    Case book/Official’s Manual pages 67 and 68: #6-#8 – At the completion of the player introductions, the R1 should take a step toward the court, whistle and beckon both teams onto the court to shake hands. The line judges collect their flags and move to their base positions. The R1 takes a position on the referee’s platform while the second referee remains on the side of the court nearest the official’s table.

    This includes all players, as they are all allowed on the end line prior to the first set. Please do not over-officiate this aspect of the match. The issue we discussed at the Annual Business Meeting was addressing the excessive amount of time spent in the huddle at the beginning of the match. Once the R1 whistles, the R2 moves to the sideline beside the court and begins to check the player positions on the court. Please read “Starting the Match” on pages 68-69 of the Case Book/Official’s Manual. Once these steps have all been taken, the R2 can give an encouraging statement to the players to take their positions if they are taking an excessive amount of time in their huddle. Preventative officiating can go a long way in game management as opposed to issuing cards right off the bat. If they still do not move into their beginning positions, an unnecessary delay yellow card may be warranted.

    Regards,
    Nici Akey
    CVOA Rules Interpreter

  • 2024-Aug-19 - Court Protocol on Illegal Uniforms prior to the start of the match

    4-2 When a team cannot begin the match with six players wearing legal uniforms, a loss of rally/point shall be awarded to the opponent at the beginning of the match, and the state association shall be notified to determine further action or penalty, as deemed necessary.

    When illegal uniforms are identified, immediately inform the coach and allow them the opportunity so change into legal uniforms, if possible. Teams may request a time-out prior to the start of the match to replace or make the uniform legal.

    If the team is not able to make all uniforms legal prior to the start of the match, the opponent will be awarded a loss of rally/point at the beginning of the first set of the match.

    If the team cannot make the uniforms legal, inform the Coach of the infraction. Inform the opposing team of the issue as well as the bench personnel. Ensure all necessary personnel are informed as to avoid delaying the match once the players are on the floor. Once everyone is in place and ready to play, signal the loss of rally/point, confirm the score and begin the match.

    Regards,
    Nici Akey, CVOA Rules Interpreter

  • 2024-Feb-01 - Beginning in 2024-25 season - Line Judge Procedure Modified

    By NFHS

    Line judges will be required to change sides of the court between sets when teams remain on the same bench. The change in officiating procedure highlights the 2024-25 high school volleyball rules changes.

    In all, four rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee at its annual meeting January 7-9. All rules changes were reviewed and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

    Rule 5-9-2b, which outlines line judge responsibilities, includes the new note requiring that they switch sides of the court when, by state association adoption, teams remain on the same bench throughout the match. The corresponding item on the state association adoption chart was also amended to add the requirement, which was added to promote fair officiating.

    “Since the pandemic, many state associations have adopted the rule to require teams to remain on the same bench throughout the match,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee. “The unintended consequence of this adoption is that the same line judge officiates the same lines for the same teams throughout the match. This change allows teams to see both line judges and promote equity in officiating.”

    In other rules changes, Rule 11-4-1b now allows teams to substitute for a replacement player during a referee’s time-out when the libero is injured or ill, allowing the team to avoid playing the replacement out of position.

    Two rules dealing with uniforms and rosters were amended to address when a uniform is damaged or has blood on it. Rule 4-2-3 Note was added to allow a player to change uniforms and for the roster to be adjusted accordingly with no penalty when a uniform is bloodied or damaged. Rule 7-1-1 Note was also changed to specify that blood on or damage to the uniform are acceptable reasons to change uniforms.

    The first referee’s responsibilities were modified in Rule 5-4-3c(1) to direct players to the end lines prior to the first set and then direct starting players onto the court for play. Previously, only starting players were directed to the end lines for prematch announcements. The rule now allows but does not require teams to include more team members in the prematch ceremony.

    A complete listing of the volleyball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Volleyball.”

    According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, volleyball is the second-most popular sport for girls (trailing track and field) with 470,488 participants in 16,610 schools nationwide. In addition, 77,287 boys are participating in the sport at 3,376 schools.

  • 2023-Sep-25 - Protecting lineups
    CVOA members,

    We have a situation that has come about recently, that requires a quick refresher on an obscure ruling.

    Who has the right to see a submitted lineup and when can they see it?

    – Prior to the 2-minute deadline for set #1 and 1-minute deadline for subsequent sets, only the referee(s), scorekeeper and libero tracker may view a submitted lineup.

    – Once the submission deadline has passed all other relevant personnel such as: coaches for either team or visiting scorekeeper may be granted access to either lineup.

    Note: Page 68 of the Case Book and Officials Manual.

    If either team accesses the opponent’s lineup prior to the submission deadline it may be penalized with a “Yellow Card” as a minor violation or potentially a “Red Card” as a flagrant violation, if a team uses the opponent’s lineup information to adjust their own lineup prior to submission. Rule 12-2-1 No player, teammate, coach and/or team attendant shall act in an unsporting manner while on or near the court before, during, or between sets.

    Please keep those lineups secure, protecting the privacy of each’s team strategy until after the submission deadline.

    Please instruct your scorekeeper and libero tracker to keep them secure and private as well until the submission deadline has passed.

    Please contact your area director if you have any questions.

    Cordially,
    Bruce Bird
    CVOA President
  • 2023-Sep-5 - Tucked towels
    Past NFHS interpretations have indicated that it is legal for any and all players to wear a towel tucked into their uniform bottoms.  There are no color restrictions for the towel.  However, this is now considered part of the uniform and therefore they must keep it out of the net or it is a net fault. The other caveat is if it keeps falling out the officials can permanently have it removed for the match, as well as issue an unnecessary delay penalty.
  • 2023-Jul-24 - Jewelry
    SITUATION: During warm-ups, a referee notices a player wearing (a) plugs or spacers in both ears or (b) dermal implants with small jewelry stones near the player’s eyebrows.  The referee determines these to be legal.
    RULING: Correct procedure.
    COMMENT:  Stud or post-like jewelry above the chin is allowed.
  • 2023-Aug-11 - Compression sleeves
    SITUATION: Two players on Team A are wearing compression sleeves that are different in color from the uniform top and are different colors between players.
    RULING: Legal. Compression sleeves, knee pads, and socks are not considered part of the uniform that must be of a like or similar color or the same color between teammates.
  • 2023-Aug-16 - Sub-varsity uniform/equipment
    UNIFORM/EQUIPMENT INTERPRETATIONS and GUIDANCE for PROMOTING PLAY at the SUB-VARSITY LEVEL:
    This is intended to remind all officials that the rulebook is written for the varsity level. At the other levels, we should be less restrictive and do our best to promote play when there are uniform/equipment deviations.  Many sub-varsity uniforms are hand-me-downs from varsity that are now non-compliant for one reason or another.  If the match can be officiated in a safe and orderly manner let them play. Be lenient.

    For all situations, PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE; safety is the highest priority.

    These deviations may include, but are not limited to the following:
    – Illegal numbers (example 00)
    – Duplicate numbers
    – Duplicate numbers in different colors
    – Number size & placement 
    – Number contrast
    – Uniform contrast
    – Uniform colors
    – Uniform likeness top or bottom
    – Libero contrast

    As long as we can referee a sub-varsity match, let us not focus on the uniform that may keep a kid from participating.
  • 2023-Aug-18 - Line judge positioning
    Official Interpretation For Line Judge Positioning During a Varsity Match.

    CHSAA has authorized permission for teams to remain on the same benches throughout the match.  This is per State Association Adoption Chart number 10 (page 70 current rulebook).  The exception is when a waiver from CHSAA has been provided to the officials to allow court switching. 

    This has raised the question of whether or not line judges should be switching.

    Per Rule 5-9-2b line judges are to hold the same positions relative to the court throughout the match.

    There is no state association adoption that allows us or CHSAA to make modifications to this rule.

    Therefore, line judges will not be switching sides.

    The exception to this is governed under Rule 5-4-3a which states the first referee may replace a scorer, libero tracker, or line judge who is not properly performing duties as assigned.

    COMMENT:
    This may include removing and replacing a line judge completely or just moving them to a new position on the lines i.e. (switching sides of the court).