Hand setting rules (Overhand finger action)

While there are some ruling differences in exceptions from the indoors that makes some mistakes legal, it is always legal to use overhand with fingers action for any (or all) of the 3 contacts.

Contact that follows overhand set must be an attack hit. (False)

Type of previous team hit does not determine if the next contact is the last for the team.

If overhand set accidentally goes over the net it is a fault. (False)

If it was an attempt to set a ball to partner it is not a fault. And it does not matter if it was perpendicular to the shoulders or not.

In order to use overhand set on first or last (attack) team contact it must be "cleaner" than the regular second contact handset could be. (False)

The double contact and catch rules are applied to the overhand contact in the same manner no matter which team contact it is. (Exception: hard-driven ball)

Overhand attack was made legal in the recent rule changes. (False)

It was legal to attack using overhand since first official rules came out, just the attacking trajectory have to be perpendicular to the line of shoulders. And since 1997 perpendicular shoulder violation was no longer a fault if attempt was to set teammate.

Overhand contact references in "FIVB official beach volleyball rules 2021-2024"

9.1 TEAM HITS

A hit is any contact with the ball by a player in play.

9.1.1 CONSECUTIVE CONTACTS

A player may not hit the ball two times consecutively (exceptions, see Rules: 9.2.2.2, 9.2.2.3, 14.2 and 14.4.2).

9.2 Characteristics of the hit

9.2.1 The ball may touch any part of the body

9.2.2 The ball must not be caught or thrown. It can rebound in any direction.

9.2.2.1 Simultaneous Contacts:

The ball may touch various parts of the body, provided that the contacts take place simultaneously.

9.2.2.2 Consecutive contacts:

At the first hit of the team, provided it is not made overhand with fingers) consecutive contacts are permitted provided that the contacts occur during one action During the first hit of the team if it is played overhand using fingers, the ball may NOT contact the fingers/ hands consecutively, even if the contacts occur during one action.

9.2.2.4 Extended contacts:

In defensive action of a hard driven ball, the ball contact can be extended momentarily even if an overhand finger action is used.

9.3 Faults in playing the ball

9.3.3 CATCH: the ball is caught and/or thrown; it does not rebound from the hit. (Exceptions 9.2.2.1, 9.2.2.2).

9.3.4 DOUBLE CONTACT: a player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts various parts of his/her body in succession.

13.2 Faults of the attack hit

13.2.5 A player completes an attack-hit using an overhand pass which has a trajectory not perpendicular to the line of the shoulders. The exception is when the player is attempting to set to his or her teammate.

Faults related to overhand contact in beach volleyball

Catch

Double contact

Attack hit fault

Overhand contact in beach volleyball judgement diagram

Educational video material

Assessment Criteria for Setting Overhand With Fingers (CATCH). FIVB email.

To: National Federations and Beach Volleyball Athletes

Copy: Mr. Jose Casanova, Secretary of Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission and Beach Volleyball Refereeing Commissioner

Subject: Communication on the Assessment Criteria for Setting Overhand With Fingers

Dear all,

Following the Tokyo Olympics Games in 2021, there has been a noticeable trend in relaxing overhand setting techniques and the assessment criteria for this action.

In line with this, and aiming at reinstating the appropriate implementation of the Official Beach Volleyball Rules within the current Paris 2024 Olympic cycle, we will be starting with immediate effect from the next Beach Pro Tour event in Gstaad Elite, with necessary assessment of setting using the overhand with fingers technique, and the goal is to diminish the impact of the following scenarios which lead to an eventual catch, while the hands are in contact with the ball:

down and up contact,
hold and release (including prolonged contact),
redirect.

It must be reiterated that these actions basically "absorb" the ball instead of meeting it, and that being said, these actions are not accepted in accordance with the Official Beach Volleyball Rules.

You will find below the link to download several illustrating video clips for the refereed actions compared with several examples of correct overhand setting contacts.

Download Link: https://www.fivb.org/download/Setting_Criteria.zip (I uploaded videos from .zip to youtube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqJmYMfIsvoLDOGg_tI8RP4IUoBwHMeSz)

Expectations are that this process is completed and assimilated by all concerned parties by the end of 2022 season gradually, leading to a smooth Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification period.

We ask the understanding and cooperation of all concerned parties. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission, as well as the Referee Coach at respective Beach Pro Tour tournaments.

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Best Regards,

FIVB Beach Volleyball Department

Refereeing guidelines and instructions 2020 Edition

(This is indoor volleyball guidelines, but the following notes applies to all types of volleyball in general)

Rule 9 –Playing the ball

2. It is emphasized that only the faults that are seen are to be called. The 1st referee must only look at the part of the body that makes contact with the ball. In his/her judgment he/she should neither be influenced by the position of the player’s body before and/or after playing the ball nor by the noise of the contact. The FIVB Refereeing and Rules of the Game Commission insists that referees should permit overhand finger contact or any other contact that is legal according to the rules, avoiding to be exaggerated when judging “double contact”.

3. To better understand the text of Rule 9.2.2:

A thrown ball involves two playing actions, first catching and then throwing the ball, while playing the ball means that the ball rebounds from the contact point.

Overhand contact references in "Refereeing guidelines and instructions 2021-2022"

MESSAGE FOR 2021 - 2022

<...>

Another aspect that requires a high level of focus during the upcoming season, relates to the criteria for assessing setting overhand with fingers. On this particular aspect, we realized that eventually originating from the period where due to the Covid outbreak restrictions there has been limited competition, during the past season a significant number of players showed up displaying ball handling contacts - especially for what refers to the length of the contact at setting overhand with fingers - at the limit or even above the limit, of what can be legally accepted. With this, in fact, bringing us slightly back to the period where several years ago we initiated a process for eliminating the long ball handling contacts.

<...>

9. Playing the ball

9. During the action of players setting overhand with fingers, the ball must be played with one quick motion. There must not be any significant movement of the ball downwards whilst in the hands and the ball may not visibly come to rest in the player's hands.

Note: Technically in ALL hand setting actions the ball rests and also moves downward whilst in contact with the hands of the player. It is the quickness of this action that will determine if the "downwards motion" or the "length of the contact" is of visible significance, and consequently a fault.

Note: There are various unique methods of setting and passing the ball in Beach Volleyball. A REFEREE must understand the nature of these ball contacts concentrating on their length (the emphasis quite correctly with the catch or thrown ball is the duration of the contact) and how technically correct or clean the contact was (the emphasis with the double contact is that this is not indicated by the spin of the ball but by the fact that a clear fault – time difference between the two hands that contact the ball – has occurred and that this is visible for the REFEREE).

Note: REFEREES must find consistency of application around duration of contact and try to maintain uniform criteria in ball handling in general not only on a game basis but also from day to day and tournament to tournament.

10. In defensive action of a hard driven attack, the ball contact can be extended momentarily overhand with the fingers. A good indication of a hard driven attack is the time in which the defensive player had to react to play the ball. If the defensive player had time to make a decision or to react by changing, their technique as to how to play the ball it was probably not a hard driven ball. However referees must be 100% sure before they blow the whistle for a fault.

Note: This may apply to the second touch of a team if the block contact was slight and the ball is still a hard driven attack, or to the defensive action (team first contact) after a ball has been blocked.

Note: A hard driven ball by the offensive player may occur from a player standing on the ground. It is not necessary that they jump and spike the ball in all circumstances. REFEREES must be consistent in their application of the hard driven ball criteria clearly understanding the nature of the attack as it passes over the net, after it contacts a block or net etc.

8. There may be consecutive contacts, provided it is one attempt to play the ball when it is the first contact by a team. The exception to this is the overhand finger action.

Exception: Hard driven attack (Rule 9.2.2.1.)

13. Attack-hit

3. A player may complete an attack-hit using an overhand pass (which has a trajectory perpendicular to the line of the shoulders), either forwards or backwards. Note: The REFEREE should consider the line of the player’s shoulder at the initial stage of the contact with the ball. Players must establish their shoulder position before the contact is made.

BVB Refereeing Guidelines & Specific Regulations

Object – criteria for assessing ball handling

referees must NOT decide the match through whistling disputable faults; the PLAYERS actions should decide the result of the match!
give opportunities for the players to play and entertain.

Actions

Referees must be 100% certain that a fault has been made and is understood by everyone.
Judge the hard driven ball defensive actions so that grey areas are not whistled.

Criteria for assessing overhand finger action

There may be consecutive contacts, provided it is one attempt to play the ball when it is the first contact by a team. The exception to this is the overhand finger (setting) action.
Overhand with fingers refers to a setting type of action, where the ball is accommodated through the elasticity of the fingers before being released and projected upwards.
During the reception, the ball must be played cleanly if using an overhand technique – but may be played freely when reacting to a hard driven ball.

Criteria for assessing hard driven ball

In defensive action of a hard driven attack, the ball contact can be extended momentarily overhand with the fingers (if you like – a catch).
A CATCH is when the ball does not rebound from the contact point – i.e. the accommodation phase lasts too long.
Gator hits and other actions which are not “overhand with fingers” should be permitted freely provided there is no CATCH involved

Criteria for assessing hard driven ball – summary

Exception: For hard driven attack (Rule 9.2.2.1.) give extra leeway.
Referees must be 100% sure before they blow the whistle for a fault.

Overhand contact references in "Casebook for Beach Volleyball 2020"

5.3.2

If a referee judges a service ball as a hard driven ball, and allows the receiving player an extended contact overhand with fingers (catch), can the captain of the serving team complain to the referee?

Ruling

Yes, he/she can - the service is a specific exception to the rules that define a hard driven ball. It is illegal to receive a served ball in this way. If the player contacts the ball overhand with fingers, (i.e. setting the ball) this contact must be clean (not double contact or catch).

Rules 9.2.2, 9.2.2.1, 9.2.2.2, 9.2.2.4, 9.3.3, 9.3.4

5.3.6

Is it allowed for a player to play a hard driven defence ball, if the ball touched the top of the net and the speed of the ball was significantly reduced?

Ruling

No. Because in this situation the ball has substantially changed its speed and therefore the ball is now not hard driven, so it is a CATCH fault.

Rules 9.2.2.1, 9.3.3

5.3.7

Because of heavy wind, the players are attacking the ball in standing position. Is it allowed to defend these attacks with the hard driven ball defence manner? (i.e. slightly extended contact, overhand with fingers)

Ruling

The 1st Referee must particularly focus on the time the player had to change his/ her technique in playing the ball. Did he/she have enough time to change the technique from being defensive to being offensive? In this way it is a matter for the referee to consider time and distance. It is not relevant if the player hit the ball as hard as he/she could or used unusual techniques.

Rule 9.2.2.1

5.3.8

In setting, what factors should the 1st Referee look at if the player is using a technique that involves a long and protracted contact time (CATCH) with the hands?

Ruling

The referee should consider how clean the contact was. Were the hands / fingers simultaneous in contacting the ball, and was the ball played with one quick motion - i.e. not visibly resting in the player's hands - or was the player using a technique that involved a long and protracted contact time (CATCH) with the hands?.

Rules 9.3.3, 9.3.4, Referee Guidelines and Instructions

5.3.9

If a player is playing the ball in a specific way - by utilizing a defensive technique on a hard driven ball, with open outstretched forearms and with fingers pointing downwards to the ground on both hands - and extends his/her hand contact with the ball momentarily (i.e. there is no REBOUND from the hands), should the 1st referee consider this as a “Catch”?

Ruling

Yes. With the possible exception of setting overhand with fingers, Volleyball hits involve a rebound from the contact point. The action described in the case will create a hit which is not a rebound, because this technique involves both wrists being inverted (thus fingers pointing downwards to the ground, palms upwards and thumbs facing sideways – which the rules specifically regard as illegal) the referee should consider this as a CATCH

Rules 9.2.2.1, 9.3.3

5.7.2

When the ball is close to the net, but the blocking action resembles more a set than a block, what should be the reaction of the 1st Referee?

Ruling

If the player’s action is not regarded as being a block then the referee may need to look at how clean was the contact (catch or double contact) and the trajectory of the ball after the contact.

Rules 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 13.2.5

5.7.3

Is a player allowed to play the ball at the last minute intentionally in a reverse direction over his/her shoulders into the opponent’s court?

Ruling

Yes, provided that the ball travels in a trajectory perpendicular to the line of the player’s shoulders, and that the player has established his/her shoulder position before the initial contact is made (either in a forward or backward direction).

Rule 13.2.5, Referee Guidelines and Instructions

5.7.4

If the ball is set cleanly, and the wind catches the ball and places the ball at the opponent side of the net, should the 1st Referee penalize the team for an attack hit fault?

Ruling

No. This is a common misinterpretation of the rules and is not a fault. If the intention of the team “A” player is to set the ball to their partner, no fault exists. The wind causing the ball to cross over the net or the trajectory of the ball not being in line with the player’s shoulders is irrelevant in deciding on this fault.

Rule 13.2.5, Referee Guidelines and Instructions

Terminology

Overhand finger action

The playing action of setting the ball or passing the ball with 2 hands fingers spread, contacting the ball.

It is not legal to catch and throw the ball with underhand finger action (i.e.: wrists inverted).

Hard driven ball

An attack hit that is travelling with sufficient speed (quickly) and over distance such that the defending player has time to only play the ball in an uncontrolled (reflexive) defensive manner.

The time and distance of the balls trajectory (speed of the ball) does not allow the player to substantially control or alter their techniques for receiving the ball.

Momentarily overhand with fingers / beach dig / defence

A playing action (receiving a ball) that may be legally used if the ball is hard driven.

Players are allowed legally to have contact with the ball when played overhand which is of slightly extended duration than is usually allowed. The hands must be held with fingers up, i.e. not inverted to point downwards.

Attack Hit

The action of directing the ball into the opponent’s court. Serving is not considered an attack hit. Considered completed when the ball completely crosses the vertical plane of the net or touches a block.

Perpendicular trajectory

A ball that travels in a straight line from the player’s shoulders either forwards or backwards. The player’s position at the time of first contact determines the trajectory the ball should legally follow

History of hand setting

In 1997 penalty was removed for for attack-hit using overhand pass which has a trajectory not perpendicular to the line of their shoulders when player setting his or her team-mate.