AboutTom Houser Expertise I can answer any type of volleyball question: school, college, club, coaching, playing, etc. (I am not, however, a athletic trainer! haha)
Experience 23 years coaching varsity, JV, club.
You can see all about me at www.coachhouser.com There are also free downloads for coaches & parents, and hundreds of smiling faces for you volleyball players!
Publications www.active.com
www.yesIcansports.com
Education/Credentials BS degree from Va Tech in Math Education. MS degree from Va Tech in Secondary Administration. 28 years teaching high school math!
The Picture! The picture that you see is my team after winning the 52-team Capitol Hill Classic in February 2008 in Washington DC. We were the only undefeated team in the 15's division. However, they presented our awards to the team that won the SILVER division! haha So the tournament directors had to reorder our medals and our player's MVP trophy, then mail them all to us later!
Expert: Tom Houser Date: 8/22/2008 Subject: Is kicking the ball legal in volleyball?
Question is it legal to intentionally kick the ball in volleyball to save it or for any other
reason? Will the official/referee call a foul?
Answer Good morning!
Thank you for visiting www.allexpert.com!
The answer to your question depends on the rule book.
For most high school players in the USA, they use the National Federation rule book. In that book, the ball may not touch a player below the waist. If a touch is made below the waste, it's an illegal contact.
However, in NCAA, USAV, and international ball, any contact is legal unless it's (a) a double on the 2nd or 3rd hit, or (b) a prolonged contact on any hit.
I coach in both NF and USAV. I tell my players during USAV season that a ball below the waste is a legal hit, but I only tell them that so they won't be celebrating when their spike hits an opponent's shoe. I don't want my teens to even consider doing anything with their foot!
I've seen many lazy USAV players and outdoor doubles players who will stick a foot out, and 95% of the time they do it, it's laziness. Don't even tell me that a short serve can't be passed better with two arms than with a foot. But everyone laughs. And when a ball miraculously comes up, everyone cheers, "Oh my gosh, what a great play." I'm muttering, "What a lucky play. What a lazy butt!"
Before I stop, yes, I did see the play on TV in the Olympic beach game where a ball was going down a blocker's body, so he popped it up with his foot. Never seen it before, probably will never see it again. But that's why I said above "95%". Some foot digs are indeed the only way to get to the ball.
I hope I've answered your question. If not, please ask again! Have a great day, and please visit www.coachhouser.com! I think you'll like the smiling faces!
