Block of served ball

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by timasdf

chapmaja is definitely correct in the ruling of the play as described.

Regarding the further commentary about now-illegal blocking being OK on a serve, as long as the ball doesn't cross the net... We don't need a separate definition of a "block" for various situations during play.

Don't forget: The ball does NOT need to be completely above the height of the net to be a block. In fact, the ball can be completely below the top of the net...and meet the definition of a block. The height of the ball has no relevance at all.

Height of the ball only has relevance for attacks.

I wish my officials association leadership would agree. I have been told by the lead trainers of both of my associations that I was incorrect in my ruling.

[BigToe]

Chap, clearly by the rulebook, blocking a serve is illegal. As already stated by others, by definition of block, the ball does not need to go back across the next for it to be a block. With that said, are your trainers telling you what they would do/call verse not knowing the actual rule? Not that this changes anything in this particular case but it would make me question their rule knowledge if they don't know the actual rule written in the rulebook.

[timasdf]

Originally Posted by BigToe

...are your trainers telling you what they would do/call verse not knowing the actual rule?

I would be quite concerned if the big shots in an officials association don't know the rule.

I would be aghast if they saw the rule in the rule book, but refused to acknowledge it.

I don't know what state you reside, but perhaps sending a concise description of the play to the state office or state rules interpreter would help. He/she may then send a notice state-wide (which your local association big shots would presumably see...and maybe even accede to this reality).