Serving is an integral part of volleyball that can significantly affect the outcome of a match. It is important to understand the rules and regulations surrounding serve, including whether a volleyball can hit the net on a serve.
There is a long-standing legal consequence for a ball that hits the net, known as a let, which can result in a loss of serve.
Recently, the scoring system has changed to reward aggressive serving, known as rally point serving.
In addition to understanding the legal consequences for a serve that hits the net, it is also important to understand the rules and regulations surrounding net faults, incidental contact, and how to properly execute a serve.
This article will provide an overview of the legal consequences, scoring system changes, and rules and regulations surrounding the serve in volleyball.
Legal Consequences
In beach volleyball and indoor volleyball, it is legal for the volleyball to hit the net on a serve, although the defending team may have difficulty defending the net serve. This rule change was prompted by a change in the scoring system, which rewards aggressive serving and increases the chances of scoring an ace.
Additionally, controversy has arisen when players block a serve while standing on the floor, which is illegal and the serving team should be awarded the point.
The term ‘let’ is used in several sports such as tennis, pickleball, table tennis, racquetball, squash, and badminton, and in old volleyball rules, serving a let resulted in loss of serve. A ‘let’ means that the attempt does not count and must be replayed.
Another concept, net fault, refers to touching the net. Minor incidental contact may be allowed, at the referee’s discretion.
Scoring System Changes
A modification of the scoring system has resulted in a regulation change regarding serves coming in contact with the net. Rally point serving rewards aggressive serving and increases the chances of scoring an ace. According to the new rule, the ball hitting the net and crossing to the opponent’s side is a live ball. The controversy arises when the opposite team blocks the serve while standing on the floor. Blocking the serve is illegal, and the serving team should be awarded the point. The term ‘let’ is used in Tennis for a serve that fails to cross the net, and in the old volleyball rules, serving a let resulted in the loss of serve. Let means something that does not count and must be replayed.
| Activity | Legal | Illegal |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting the Net | Yes | Blocking the Serve |
| Let Serve | No | No |
| Scoring an Ace | Yes | No |
Rules & Regulations
The rules and regulations for the sport involve the legality of contact with the net and the circumstances under which points are awarded.
In beach volleyball, it is legal to hit the net on a serve, and the ball is considered live if it passes over to the opponent’s court.
In indoor volleyball, contact with the net on a serve is allowed as long as it is not intentional. The scoring system has changed to reward aggressive serving, so a rally point system is used, which increases the chances of scoring an ace.
Controversy has arisen when someone blocks a serve while standing on the floor, which is illegal and should result in the serving team being awarded the point.
The term ‘let’ is used in tennis and other sports for a serve that fails to cross the net, and in old volleyball rules, a let resulted in loss of serve.
Net fault in volleyball refers to any contact with the net, and minor incidental contact may be allowed at the referee’s discretion.
