Player outside of sideline when ball served.

[GregAlan]

I referee YMCA games here in Portland. Question, is it legal for a player to be standing outside of the sideline or straddling the sideline when a teammate is serving? This happened while working a game the other night, and I wasn't familiar with the rule. I have observed several teams doing this, I think keeping the frontline player out of harm's way during service. But is it legal?

Also, can a player start their serve from outside the sideline, then run up and contact the ball within the sideline? I ruled that the player had to be within the sideline once I signaled her for service.

Greg