In the Plane of the Net

[widude]

I have coached volleyball for the past 20 years, and remember that you cannot attack or block the serve until the ball has come below the top plane of the net. That is, the ball must drop below a plane parallel to the floor that is at the top height of the net before a play may be made. I was examining the rulebook lately (it seems that a lot has changed in 20 years) and cannot find any reference to this rule. Is it implied or am I just missing it? Also, if the ball hits the net on a serve, since part of the ball is below the top plane of the net, can it be blocked or attacked (as long as it hits the net first)?

[Edited by widude on Feb 25th, 2004 at 07:52 AM]