Earlier this year, the world governing body of volleyball, the FIVB made some changes to the rules of volleyball. Of these changes, Volleyball England have decided that rules on Centre Line Modification, Net Contact, and Referee Cooperation will be used in all NVL competitions from January 1st 2009. The BVA Committee have decided that these rules will also apply to all BVA matches from January 1st 2009.

The changes are listed below.

CENTRE LINE MODIFICATION Touching the opponents' court with any part of the body above the feet is permitted, providing that it does not interfere with the opponents' play. This means that, for example, a hand or knee can cross over the centre line now only the foot remains prohibited from making contact completely across the centre line. There must, however, be no "interference" with the opponents' play, or a significantly increased health and safety risk.

NET CONTACT Contact with the net by a player is not a fault unless it interferes with play. Examples of net contacts which are still considered as faults would include any contact with the top band of the net (or antenna) during any action of playing the ball. Contacts which either create an unfair advantage, or which hinder an opponent's legitimate attempt to play the ball, would also continue to be penalised as net contacts. However, a setter who gently brushes the mesh of the net whilst playing the ball should no longer be penalised. Similarly, a blocker or hitter who brushes the net (on the way up or down) is no longer considered to be making a net fault, unless there is contact with the top band. Any "taking support" from the net leaning into the net, or holding the mesh, or any action which significantly distorts the position of the top band of the net is still a fault, as is any contact which prevents the opponent from being able to play the ball.

SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURES In matches where numbered paddles are being used during the substitution process, the coach or captain no longer needs to make a request for substitution. The request is assumed at the moment a player crosses into the substitution zone, when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service; at this moment, either the scorer or second referee will acknowledge the substitution (using buzzer or whistle respectively). This procedure does not replace the existing substitution process, it is additional, captains and coaches may still request substitutions in the normal way. Note that, for 2008-09, this "quick substitution" process is not to be used unless numbered substitution cards ("paddles" or "plaquettes") are available.

REFEREE COOPERATION The second referee may signal and whistle illegal back-court attack hits and blocks.

ADDITIONAL LIBERO PLAYER This rule is not being implemented in NVL this season. (For FIVB and World Senior events, teams may declare up to 14 players and include the addition of a second "libero" player into the squad.)

These rules will take us all a bit of getting used to; players, coaches and referees, and clearly, the referee has even more decisions to make. As a player or coach, please have consideration for referees, and accept their decisions with good grace. We would also recommend that all referees should remind team captains at the toss that the new rules are in force, and captains should be aware of the rules and ensure their team are aware of the rules. If all else fails, as a senior referee said at the NVL Referees' Conference this season, "Your cards are your friends". Don't be afraid to use them.

The full set of new rules can be found here. Alternatively, click here for a document giving guidance to referees on the interpretation of these rules.