Signal sequence for officials altered in high school volleyball

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In an effort to improve the flow of play in high school volleyball, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee has altered the signal sequence for officials.

The committee approved this significant change to Rule 5-2-1, along with seven other rules revisions, at its January 7-9 meeting in Indianapolis. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Rule 5-2-1 now permits the fault-calling referee to indicate the result of a playpoint or replay – followed by the nature of the fault. This change allows the scorer to immediately record the score and prepare for other responsibilities such as substitutions and recording time-outs. The committee said play is more consistent since there is no delay in knowing which team will have the next serve.

“By changing the signal sequence, this will allow the scorer to perform his/her duties of recording the score, then moving on to substitutions, in a much more timely fashion,” said Becky Oakes, director of sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee. “This improves the overall opportunity for accuracy and keeping up with play by the scorer.”