New Rules for the indoor game 2026-27

Some of you may be aware that the FIVB are trialling a number of new rules for the indoor game this year. Volleyball England will be introducing a number of these this season, the SWVA committee are currently discussing them and will likely follow VE for the SWVA league and events this season.

The following changes will be adopted by Volleyball England in all NVL, National Cup, National Shield and Major Finals.

1. Team Roster and the Libero requirement

1. 1. Any team of 12 to 14  players has to have at least 1 libero, previously if more than 12 players, TWO liberos were mandatory
   2. SW scoresheets only have space for 12 players and 2 designated Liberos, so if we adopt this scorers will need to clearly add any13 player not playing as a Libero

1. Number of Substitutions

1. 1. Increased from 6 to 8
   2. Rules around how players can be substituted and return have not changed

1. Reduced use of the whistle

1. 1. When a rally ends in a clear and obvious situation there is no need to whistle, but must still use the correct hand signal

1. Position of the receiving team

1. 1. expanded guidance on what was introduced last season to prevent fake serve attempts
   2. receiving team must be in rotational order prior to the serving action being initiated, but can start to move as soon as the server starts the serving motion, such as a step, movement of the arms and legs

1. Internal pass – introduced last season and continues for this season
2. “Push – Carry – Throw” Attack hit

1. 1. Rule 9.2.2 “The ball must not be caught and/or thrown. It can rebound in any direction”. This rule has not changed but it now must be applied strictly, whereas before it had become lax.
   2. NO Push/NO Lift/No Carry
   3. Any tip must be with one hand, using short contact and in a straight line
   4. The player can’t change the direction of their hand whilst in contact with the ball and this also applies for blockers

1. Warm- up – change to serving

1. 1. Teams no longer share the court for serving but have 90 seconds per team using the whole court
   2. VE are temporarily extending the warm up period to 12 minutes to allow for changeover of teams on service. If the team leaving the playing area puts the balls away from the team about to serve the 90 seconds doesn’t start until they have got the balls.
   3. During the 90 seconds the team not serving must be on their bench or outside of the playing area without balls
   4. All balls must be available to the serving team

The following rule tests are NOT being implemented by Volleyball England

1. Ball contact with the ceiling
2. Coach interaction with the 1^st referee

Referees and coaches are reminded however in implementing ‘smooth refereeing’ there may be interaction between the coach and the 2^nd referee but that this must remain minimal, and at all times, courteous and respectful.

For the full list of the FIVB test rules, see: https://www.fivb.com/fivb-board-of-administration-approves-rule-tests-for-2026-competitions/