14.2.3.2: Double Contacts (Successive Contacts) Rule Change

The NCAA Women's Volleyball Oversight Panel has approved allowing players to contact the ball more than once with any part of the body in a single attempt on a team's second contact when the ball is played to a teammate. However, if the ball is played over the net in this scenario, the play would be ruled a fault, and the team would lose the point. This rule change goes into effect for the 2024-2025 volleyball season. Here's an outline of the new Double Contacts rule change as well as a listing of additional women's college volleyball rule changes for the 2024-2025 season.

What Is The Double Contacts (Successive Contacts) Rule Change?

On a team’s second hit, contacting the ball more than once with any part of the body in a single attempt to play the ball is not a fault if the ball is next contacted by a teammate.

Double Contacts (Successive Contacts) Rule Change Rationale

Through the years, officiating double contacts has sparked intense debates between coaches and officials during matches. The proposed elimination of this judgment call can bring more consistency to the game. The change will promote the continuation of play, which would make the game more entertaining for the players and fans.

OTHER NCAA WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL RULE CHANGES

Two Liberos (Rule 12.1.1): To allow two libero players to be designated for each set by indicating the players’ numbers on the lineup sheet for the set. Only one libero is allowed on the court at a time and is only allowed to serve in one position.
Rationale: The change will allow more players the opportunity for playing time and to compete. Coaches have the discretion to determine whether or not to use two liberos.

Administrative Sanctions (Rule 6.5.2) and Crowd Control (Rule 19.2.5.4): To allow the referees to issue an administrative sanction (red card) to the home team when event management does not address spectators who enter the designated playing area. This would result in the visiting team receiving a point.
Rationale: There are increasing concerns with spectators getting too close to the playing court and student-athletes during competition, creating a safety concern for all participants. The administrative sanction provides an additional tool for officials to address safety concerns.

Logos - Uniform Bottoms (Rule 7.1.3.5): To allow uniform bottoms to contain a single conference logo. The logo may not exceed 4 square inches. Uniform bottoms may also contain no more than two identifying names or abbreviations placed on the front, side or back of the bottoms. The name(s) may identify the school, the school nickname or mascot, the player’s name, or any other designation as approved by the institution. The uniform bottoms may also contain a single manufacturer’s logo per Rule 7.1.3. No commercial advertising is permitted.
Rationale: Creates logo requirements for uniform bottoms and aligns with the logo requirements for uniform jerseys. In the absence of a rule, this has been the current interpretation for uniform bottoms. A waiver could be provided for a period of time for existing uniform bottoms that do not meet these requirements.

Jewelry (Rule 7.2.2): To allow players to wear small, snug-fitting nose rings and ear cuffs in addition to studs and posts. No jewelry will be allowed below the chin.
Rationale: Adding small, snug-fitting nose rings and ear cuffs will not increase risk to players, teammates or opponents. This change is not intended to encourage players to wear jewelry. It simply recognizes that some jewelry may be worn without a safety concern. This would further align NCAA rules with USA Volleyball rules, which should reduce confusion for student-athletes, coaches and officials.

Headgear (Rule 7.2.3.2): To require that any item that goes entirely around the head such as a headband, head sweatband or bandana worn as a sweatband, or hair control device, shall be a single color.
Rationale: Provides for more consistency and uniformity among teammates. Requiring headgear to be a single color better aligns volleyball with headgear requirements in other sports.

Protests (Rule 17.2.2.5): To require that all protests be resolved during the match. Eliminate Rule 17.2.2.5: The first referee forwards the protest information to the NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor for a final decision on a protest after the match.
Rationale: The final results of the competition are best decided during the contest, not at a later date. Eliminates the potential to replay a match, alleviating additional travel costs and administrative coordination.

Reviewable Decisions (Rule 18.1.4.4): To allow coaches to challenge interference above the net (when a player interferes with the opponent by making contact with the opponent), if the decision is dependent on whether the player contacted the opponent. Under the current rule, coaches may challenge a player illegally contacting the ball over the opponent’s court. The position and/or height of the ball or a player is not challengeable.
Rationale: The addition of interference clarifies that coaches may challenge that a player touched an opponent at the net. The current rule only allows a coach to challenge whether or not a ball was touched.