[bob jenkins]

I am not aware of any exception (in NFHS or NCAA) to the "prolonged contact" rule just because a player is blocking (as a coach tried to claim the other day).

Two plays come to mind:

1) R5 jumps and blocks the ball The ball goes pretty much straight up in the air. After R5 lands, the ball falls to her and she attempts to pass it with her forearms, but the ball "sticks" there. (a) coach claims she is still blocking -- I say this was a first contact. (b) I also say it doesn't matter whether she was blocking -- it's still prolonged contact.

2) R4 jumps and blocks the ball. The ball hits the tape and gets trapped / held against the tape until R4 returns to the ground (now no body part above the net) and lowers her hands. Prolonged contact?