simultaneous hit with hands at 60-90 degree angles

Question
Hi,

I'm playing in an informal university staff volleyball
league (self-officiated, etc.). Sometimes I hit the ball
with both hands open (as in a set) but with my hands coming
from different directions such that they hit the ball in
two different planes (if we were to extend the planes the
angle at which they intersect would probably be between 60
and 90 degrees).  When done with force it can send forth
the ball with significant velocity. It can also be used to
effectively place the ball.  No one taught this to me...I
just kind of developed it by accident years ago while
playing with friends. I know it's unorthodox.  But as I
read the rules, (particularly FIVB rules 9.2.2 and 9.2.3),
this should be ok--I'm not catching or throwing, at least
as I understand those words.  But people in the informal
league I'm playing in think this is a very dodgy thing to
do.  

Who's right?

Answer
Good evening and welcome to www.allexperts.com.

It sounds like you've played a lot of vball, but haven't played much with experienced officials.  

The FIVB rule book is an international rule book.  It's used by all those who want to play indoor and outdoor vball under the same rules as Olympians.  I'm not at all familiar with it.  I mostly use the USAV rule book. USAV rules are those that club teams in the USA must follow.  I would be surprised if the two rule books aren't nearly identical. (Why train kids under one rule book, then have them represent our country overseas under significantly different rules?)

a)  What you're doing is 100% legal on first contacts.  Presently anything and everything is legal on 1st contacts, except lifts/carries.

b) I agree that what you're doing doesn't sound like a throw/lift.  

c) However, if you're doing it on the 2nd or 3rd contact, what you're describing could be a called a double contact.  With hands coming from 2 different directions, in two different planes, I can imagine a referee seeing a "boink-boink" of the ball by your hands.  Thus, a double contact may be the call.  What do you think?  Do you hit the ball simultaneously with your hands?  If so, then it's legal.  Or is there a "boink-boink"?  If so, then it's illegal.

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