Test Question 1
 

Yes, these questions are from my pre-season test. And, No, I don't expect (or want) you just to give me the correct answer.

So, here's the question, and my reasoning / or request for further clarification.

A12 attacks the ball into B3, who is blocking. The ball rebounds off the block into the net and back into B3's chest while her hands are about (emphasis added) the height of the net. B3 then plays the ball. The correct procedure would be:

So -- does the word "about" have any meaning within this play? Did they really mean "above?" If so, is the second time B3 touches the ball (after the block, after the ball touches the net) still a block? If so, then this is "play on" -- B3 has had only one hit.

Or, if it's not a block, or they really meant "about" (meaning "not above"), then either way, it's two hits on B3.

The word about here make the entire question pretty useless.

I believe (not certain) it is a typo... should read "above." Illinois' volleyball test is notorious for this kind of confusion.

So if it is supposed to be "above" -- can B block the ball twice? Or, is the second time (after the ball rebounds from the net) really the first hit?

If B3, in close proximity to the net, is still reaching above the height of the net when the ball rebounds from the net back into her chest, it would be considered a single attempt to block.

Assuming B has yet to complete the block, is it really any different than blocking off the hands and rebounding into the head? Assuming it's part of one blocking action, I'd let this go.

In this situation and in regards to the second contact (the ball rebounding from the net into the chest during the block) it is irrelevant where the hands are at that specific time. If B3 is still in the act of blocking, multiple contacts as described are permitted and considered as part of the original blocking action.

Based on FIVB rules the situation described is "play on".

NFHS rules are used by the association which created this question.

In NFHS...

In this situation (blocking scenario), if any part of the body is above the net while in close proximity of the net, it's a block.

Play on. No call. Next player (that isn't a blocker) is the first contact.