2009 / 2010 Rule Changes:

2-1-1: Clarifies the court and the adjacent playable area must be flat, smooth and free of obstructions other than required equipment and padding.

Rationale: Clarifies court/floor requirements for playable area.

3-2-1: Beginning in 2010-11, the game ball may be either solid white or a maximum combination of three colors (with each panel being a solid color) and of which at least one-third of the panels shall be solid white.

Rationale: Allows for the optional use of the colored-panel ball beginning with the 2010-11 season. The colored-panel ball makes it easier to track for players/spectators and adds excitement to the game.

4-1-5: Unadorned bobby pins, no longer than 2 inches, may be worn to control a player's hair.

Rationale: Allows players a practical means of dealing with hair control.

5-3-4d: Prior to the deciding set, captains will be called for the coin toss by the R1 and then teams shall be released to their team bench.

Rationale: Releasing teams to their bench rather than the end line during the deciding-set coin toss will allow coaches to provide instruction and facilitate players being ready to take the court for the final set.

5-4-3b New 10: The second referee has the responsibility to manage illegal libero replacements.

Rationale: Adds to the responsibilities of the second referee.

9-4-5: A legal contact is a touch of the ball by any part of the player's body.

Rationale: In today's fast-paced game, allowing legal contact of the ball by any part of the player's body will assist in keeping the ball in play and provide longer and more exciting rallies.

10-2-3: If more than one substitution is to occur, the substitutions shall be made in succession. One pair of players after another and only one substitute shall be in the substitution zone at a time.

Rationale: The procedure of recording multiple substitutions becomes easier for the scorer to record. This will speed up the substitution process and assist in maintaining the tempo of play.

12-2-5: Clarifies when an assistant coach may stand and actions the coach may perform.

Rationale: Clarifies the role and bench decorum of the assistant coach now that the head coach has the privilege to stand during the match.

12-2-6, 9-1-1: During play, allows the head coach to stand in the replacement zone, no closer to the sideline than 6 feet, to coach his/her players.

Rationale: Due to the growing spectator popularity, resulting in louder crowd noise, this change will allow the head coach to communicate more effectively with his/her players. The permitted location for standing preserves the necessary area for clear line of sight by the second referee and line judges to observe play and playable area around the court for the players.

Major Editorial Changes

1-2-1, 3, 4-1 Heading, 10-3-5, 11-4-2, How to Use The Signals: 4, 19, 20, 21; Casebook: 4-1, 10-3-5, Signals: New b, 6 NOTE, 13, 20, 21, 23

Points of Emphasis

1. Head Coach Standing

2. Match Officials' Responsibilities

3. Ball Handling

4. Libero Uniform

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