Rule 3 — Ball

1. A metallic ball stand is needed for storing the five match balls near the scorer's table (three balls in play and two reserve balls). For FIVB, six match balls are used (five balls in play and one reserve ball).

2. The second referee takes possession of the five match balls before the match and checks each of them for identical characteristics (colour, circumference, weight, and pressure). The second referee is then responsible for them throughout the match

3. For Volleyball Canada Championships, the second referee will ensure that the ball used is the one specified in the VC Rulebook (Rule 3.1). For FIVB competition: only FIVB homologated balls may be used; the referee must check this, and if the FIVB stamp is not printed on the balls, he/she may not start the match.

4. Three-Ball System (VC) / Five-Ball System (FIVB)

Six ball retrievers will be used and placed in the free zone as per Diagram 10 in the VC Rulebook.

Before the start of the match, the ball retrievers on positions 1, 2, 4, and 5 (FIVB) or 2 and 5 (VC) will each receive a ball from the second referee. The second referee will give the third ball to the server for the first and the deciding set.

During the match when the ball is out of play:

4.1 If the ball is outside the court, it will be recovered by the closest retriever and immediately rolled towards the retriever who has just passed his/her ball to the player who was to serve.

4.2 The ball is transferred between the ball retrievers by being rolled on the ground (not thrown), while the ball is out of play, preferably not on the side where the scorers’ table is situated.

4.3 If the ball is on the court, the player closest to the ball must immediately roll it out of the court, over the nearest boundary line.

4.4 At the moment the ball is out of play, the ball retriever number 2 or 5 must give the ball to the server as soon as possible so that the service can take place without any delay. (For FIVB play, ball retrievers 1 or 2, or 4 or 5 must give the ball to the server as soon as possible.)

4.5 Should special measures be required against COVID-19 infection, it may be necessary to adapt a new system without six (6) ball retrievers; in this case only four (4) ball retrievers will be used.

Two (2) ball trolleys containing five (5) official match balls per trolley must be ready behind the advertisement boards, in the middle position, behind both end lines.

After each rally, two (2) ball retrievers are available to collect the balls and transfer to their respective ball trolleys.

To avoid delay and maintain the 15 seconds between rallies, the ball retriever at the end of the court must take a ball from its trolley and pass the ball to the server.

If the three-ball system is not used, then the second referee handles the ball at set intervals, time-outs, and delays.