Quote:
Originally posted by refnrev
Last night I was watching an 8th grade game. In the middle of game 2 I saw a call that I'm puzzled about. I think it was a mistake and and need your input. In the midst of a very good rally, the ball is hit to home team's side of net. On the first hit LB sends the ball high and wide right. RF runs after the ball and crosses the center line outside of the playing area. She hits the ball back into her court (not over net or between antennas) where on the third hit the ball crosses the over the net and between the antennas into the opponents court. The referee blew it dead and said the second hit couldn't be allowed because she crossed the center line outside the field of play. There was no interference, she had both feet on the floor when she played the ball, and she gained no advantage from being in the area. I thought the rules changes this year allowed for this to be a legal play. His explanation had something to do with her being a back row player (which she was not) not being able to cross the center line. I think he missed the play and failed to reward good hustle on the girl's part. Wasn't this a legal play. What do you say?
[Edited by refnrev on Feb 8th, 2005 at 11:37 PM]
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It is not illegal for her to cross the center line outside the net, front row or back row. It is, however, a dead ball (under NFHS rules) once the ball fully crosses the net plane over or outside the antennae. Unless this girl crossed the center line and played a ball that was now behind her and still in the plane (not likely), then it sounds like the official awarded the correct team the rally, even though the call (sounds like he called center line violation?) should be out of bounds, not line violation.
And she *did* gain an advantage by being across the line...she entered non-playable area. If that's not an advantage, I don't know what is!
