Using hands when serve receiving

Question
Hi Tom, I was just playing with a new team and one of the guys refuses to believe you can overhand pass a serve now.  Do you remember when that rule changed?  It had to be around 99 or 2000 but I can't find any documentation on it.   If you know thanks if not no worries.
Thanks!
Eric

Answer
Hello Eric!

Good afternoon and welcome to www.allexperts.com.

With USA Volleyball, yes you're right.  The rules changed around the time you mentioned.  But, high school teams that used the National Federation rule book were still not allowed.

In around 2002 or 2003, National Federation changed, so nearly all players can now use their hands on 1st contact.

Just for the Rip Van Winkles out there who just woke up:
a) Any first contact can be doubled.  In other words, if a person doubles a first contact, there will be no whistle.  (No, I'm not talking about forearm passing to yourself, then setting it. haha  The double must be during one play of the ball!)

b) There has been no change in 1st or 2nd contacts.  Doubles & lifts are still illegal.

c) First contacts may NOT be lifted.  That hasn't changed either.  

So, here is where a referee has a tough call:  "Was that a lift, or was it a double?"  In my travels to SLC, Miami, Atlanta, Baltimore, D.C., etc., refs who have this debate within their heads usually make no call at all, and let the kids play.  High school refs seem to have more of a problem with it, as they will be more unsure of what they believe AND unsure of what the volleyball world accepts....thus, they tend to make more inconsistent calls that make us coaches boil, "Why do you call THAT at THIS point of the game?"  I guess it's like a foul to a basketball official....the more you've played and the more you've seen, then the better "feel" you'll have of what's a foul and what isn't.  

Finally, I warn you:  There may be some leagues where hands on first contact is not allowed.  The last time I played outdoor doubles was in 2004. Here in Roanoke, the agreement among the powers was, "No hands on first contact.  Period."  Beach dig, yes.  Pokies, yes.  But no setting motion.  This kept down the arguments about what's a lift and what wasn't.  I don't know if the doubles people here still abide by that rule or not.  If they do, I feel sorry for the younger players.  The kids will look at each other saying, "WHAT?!?!  And what the flip is a beach dig?"  haha

Thank you for visiting www.allexperts.com.  And for me answer your question, haha I ask that you visit me at www.coachhouser.com.  When you see the smiling faces, I think you'll want the players in your area to experience a STAR volleyball site camp first hand!

Coach Houser