Over the Net Violations

[bob jenkins]

I had a coach ask me about this last night, and I want to be sure I gave him the correct answer.

Is it a true statement that whenever the ball is in the plane of the net, that both teams can play the ball (ignoring on a serve, back row players, etc)? Even if team A's setter is trying to save an over-pass for the second hit, team B's blocker can block the ball?

I'm also a little confused by rule 9-6-3 "A player shall not contact a ball which (sic) is completely on the opponent's side of the net unless the contact is a legal block." IS this trying to distinguish "block" from "attack" or are the only criteria the ones listed in 9-6-4 (three hits, ball directed toward opponent's side, no one in position to make a play)?

Thanks,