Official NFHS Volleyball Rules

The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) puts out various rule books to help streamline and keep consistent the rules governing any particular sport. The rule books, according to the NFHS, "maintain sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury." Following is a breakdown of the 12 rules of high school volleyball.

  1. Rules 1 and 2

    • Rule 1 defines the game, the lengths of games and matches, number of players, how points are scored, and when the game and match are terminated or suspended. The rule also bans artificial noisemakers and limits music or sound effects.
      Rule 2 defines the court and its markings. It discusses overhead obstructions, what is out of bounds and when the referee is to restrict play.

    Rules 3 and 4

    • Rule 3 covers game equipment, specifically the net, the ball, the scoresheet, the officials' table and the team benches. There are several requirements the net and its supports must meet.
      Rule 4 defines what is legal and illegal equipment and the penalties for having illegal equipment. It also defines what is a legal uniform and the penalties that must be assessed for wearing an illegal uniform on the court.

    Rules 5 and 6

    • Rule 5 governs the officials' responsibilities and positions. It defines the officials as first referee and second referee, details each referee's responsibilities and their uniforms. It also lists the responsibilities of the scorer, libero tracker, timer and line judges.
      Rule 6 discusses the team. It specifies the number of players on the court and the role and responsibilities of team captains. It names the six positions on the court and penalties of not being in the proper position on the court. Finally, it defines and lists penalties for screening.

    Rules 7 and 8

    • Rule 7 concerns the roster and lineup. There are mentions of when the roster and lineups must be submitted to the officials' table, and the penalties for not adhering to the rule.
      The next rule is all about the serve. It defines the serve, re-serve and serving position, and it lists penalties for service errors.

    Rules 9 and 10

    • Rule 9 explains what goes on during play. It assigns non-playing team members to a team bench. It defines live and dead balls. It details how to properly contact the ball, and defines player actions such as the pass, attack and block. It discusses what a front-row and back-row player can and cannot do. It introduces the libero and lists that position's abilities and responsibilities. It defines net play and net fouls. It defines a replay and when one would occur. Finally, it lists other fouls and all applicable penalties, including a section on unnecessary delay, which is a common penalty that can be applied as a penalty to other rules.
      Rule 10 discusses how to make a substitution and how to make a libero replacement. There are procedures coaches, referees and players must follow to request a substitution or to perform a libero replacement. The rule also limits substitutions to 18 per game. Finally, the rule lists penalties for not following this rule.

    Rules 11 and 12

    • Rule 11 defines and discusses time-outs and intermissions. The rule also mentions what to do in the event of injury or illness, and it defines the time in between games (intermission).
      The final rule deals with conduct. It defines unsporting conduct and specifies proper and improper actions by coaches and players. It describes the sanctions referees can give when unsporting conduct occurs, which ranges from yellow (caution) cards to forfeit.