1. Interference with the play of the ball by the line judge, second referee or coach in the free zone:
1.1. if the ball strikes the official or coach, it is “ball out” (Rule 8.4.2). This will not result in a "replay", unless the second referee or line judge clearly “interfere” with the action of the player playing the ball.
1.2. if the player takes assistance from the official or coach for the contact, it is the fault of the player (assisted hit, Rule 9.1.3).
2. It is emphasized that only the faults that are seen are to be called. The first 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. Referees should permit overhand finger contact or any other contact that is legal, according to the rules.
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.
4. The referee must pay attention to the steadiness of the touch, particularly when a feint attack (“tip”) is used, changing the direction in the placing of the ball. During an attack hit, “tipping” is permitted if the ball is not caught or thrown. “Tipping” means attack of the ball (completely over the net) executed, gently, with one hand/fingers.
The first referee must watch closely the “tips”. If the ball after this tip does not instantly rebound, but is accompanied by the hand/is thrown, or its direction is changed more than one (driven ball), it is a fault, and must be penalized.
5. Attention should be drawn to the fact that a player’s blocking action will not be legal if he/she does not simply intercept the ball coming from the opponent, but holds it (or lifts, pushes, carries, throws, accompanies it). In such cases the referee must punish this block as a “catch” (this should not be exaggerated).
6. In four different cases, the team has a first hit (which counts as the first of the three touches of a team):
6.1 Service reception hit
6.2 Attack reception hit; not only spike but also all attacks (Rule 13.1.1).
6.3 The hit of the ball coming from opponent's block.
6.4 The hit of the ball coming from the team's own block.
7. To encourage longer rallies and spectacular actions, only the obvious violations are to be whistled. Therefore, when a player is not in a very good position to play the ball, the first referee will be less severe in his/her judgment of ball handling faults. For example:
7.1. The setter running to play the ball or forced to make a very quick action to reach the ball in order to set.
7.2. The players are forced to run or make very quick actions to play a ball after it has rebounded from the block or from another player.
7.3. The first team contact may be freely made except if the player catches or throws the ball.