This year (2010) NAGVA adopted the following rule changes so VOILA is adopting them for our open play as well as our tournaments. Please ask our Board members if you need clarification.

11.2.2.2: new centerline rule
1. Deleted 11.2.2.2: “To contact the opponent’s court with any other part of the body is forbidden.” 2. Replaced with 11.2.2.2: “to touch the opponent’s court with any part of the body above the feet is permitted provided that it does not interfere with the opponent’s play.”

Inturpretation: You can now go under the net with your hand or any part of the body as long as you do not interfere with play BUT the foot over the center line violation remains.

11.3.1: new net touch rule
1. Deleted 11.3.1: “Contact with the net by a player is not a fault, unless it is made during the action of playing the ball, or it interferes with the play. Some actions of playing the ball may include actions in which the players do not actually touch the ball.”
2. Replaced with 11.3.1: “Contact with the net by a player is not a fault, unless it interferes with the play.”
11.3.2: new net touch rule
1. Deleted 11.3.2: “Once the player has hit the ball, he/she may touch the post, rope or any other object outside the total length of the net, provided that it does not interfere with play.” 2. Replaced with 11.3.2: “Players may touch the post, ropes, or any other object outside the antennae, including the net itself, provided that it does not interfere with play.”
11.4.2: new centerline rule
1. Deleted 11.4.2: “A player penetrates into the opponents’ space under the net, interfering with the latter’s play.” 2. Replaced with 11.4.2: “A player interferes with the opponent’s play while penetrating into the opponent’s space under the net.”
11.4.3: new centerline rule
1. Deleted11.4.3: “A player penetrates into the opponents’court.” 2. Replaced with 11.4.3: “A player’s foot (feet) penetrates completely into the opponent’s court.”

11.4.4: new net touch rule
1. Deleted 11.4.4: “A player touches the net or the antenna during his/her action or playing the ball or interferes with the play.” 2. Replaced with 11.4.4: “A player interferes with the opponent’s play by (amongst others):
a. touching the top band of the net or the top 80 cm of the antenna during his/her action of playing the ball, or b. taking support from the net simultaneously with playing the ball, or c. creating an advantage over the opponent, or d. making actions which hinder an opponent’s legitimate at- tempt to play the ball.”

Inturpretation: Touching the TOP of the net is still a violation but touching any other part of the net is legal as long as you do NOT interfere with play or use the net to support yourself during the playing of the ball.