As a volleyball coach, I can tell you that the FIVB rulebook is at the heart of the game. It’s what keeps things fair and consistent, whether you’re playing a local tournament or watching the pros go head-to-head. The FIVB makes sure everyone — from players to referees — is playing by the same rules.
The 2025-2028 volleyball rules are bringing some important changes. Whether it’s how we handle serving positions, net touching, or player rotation, these updates are designed to keep the game moving faster and more smoothly.
The main goal is to make volleyball even more exciting to watch and play. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new and how it’ll change the way we play and enjoy volleyball.
The philosophy behind the 2025-2028 FIVB rulebook
The FIVB rulebook isn’t just a set of rules — it’s what keeps the game fun, fair, and safe for everyone. Whether you’re playing in a local league or watching international volleyball, these rules are here to make sure the game stays exciting and balanced.
Purpose and vision
The volleyball rules are meant to promote fairness and safety, so everyone has a chance to play their best, no matter their skill level.
Whether you’re tweaking your serving position or learning the ins and outs of net touching and player rotation, these rules aim to help you play the game as fairly as possible.
And trust me, when the game is balanced and fun, it’s much more exciting to watch and play!
The role of referees
We’ve all had those moments when we don’t agree with a call, but the truth is, referees are there to make sure the game runs smoothly. They’re there to keep things fair. Their job is to ensure consistency, like making sure the blocking rules are followed and those tricky referee signals are clear for everyone.
As a coach, I always remind my players that the refs are just doing their job. They help the game stay on track so we can all focus on playing our best. It’s all about making sure the game flows without any hiccups.
Key changes in the 2025-2028 rulebook
Let’s see the changes that will be shaking up the volleyball courts over the next few years!
Whether you’re a player, coach, or just a fan of international volleyball, these updates to the FIVB rulebook are going to make the game a lot more exciting (and a little bit trickier to keep up with).
But don’t worry, this coach got you covered!
Rule 7.4: Changes to serving team positions
If you’ve ever spent time thinking about serving positions, you’re in for a treat!
Rule 7.4 has made some changes here. The old rules allowed a bit more flexibility whereby players could stand during the serve, but the new modification tightens that up a bit.
The server and their teammates will need to stay in their designated positions more strictly.
What does this mean for the game?
Well, the defensive teams are going to have a bit of an advantage now. They can anticipate the serving positions more easily, leading to better defensive strategies. This change should result in longer, more dynamic rallies.
Rule 10.1: Ball crossing the net (External space)
This one’s interesting!
Rule 10.1 addresses how the ball crosses the net using what’s called “external space.” If you’ve ever seen a ball come close to the net only to have it pass just outside the antennas, this rule change makes that clearer.
The new rule allows the ball to use the external space of the net when crossing, but it still has to be inside the antennas.
So why is this important? Well, it means that the ball can now travel in a slightly wider area over the net, which gives players a little more room to work with. That’s great for creativity in attacking, but it also puts a little more responsibility on referees to make sure the ball stays within the boundaries.
The referee’s role here is key. They have to pay close attention to the ball’s trajectory to ensure it crosses the net correctly and isn’t hitting the antenna, making their job a little bit trickier.
Rule 12.5: Modifications to screening
Now, let’s talk about screening during serves. If you’ve ever watched a serve and had trouble seeing exactly where the ball is going because of players blocking the view, you know what screening is. Rule 12.5 now limits the actions players can take during a serve to prevent this. The new guidelines reduce the interference during the serve, ensuring that the receiving team has a clearer line of sight.
For the receiving team, it’s all about fairness. Now, the server’s team can’t use their players as a human wall to block the view of the serve. This makes the whole serve-and-receive phase a bit cleaner and fairer.
Rule 11: Reaching beyond the net
Rule 11 changes how players can reach beyond the net during a block. In the past, players had a bit more flexibility in how far they could extend their hands over the net while trying to block. The new rule tightens those conditions.
The impact of this change is big for blocking rules. You won’t see as many aggressive reaches over the net, and the game will be a bit more contained in that sense. While this does limit the offensive potential in some situations, it also makes the game fairer. You can’t have one player hanging over the net like a volleyball spider anymore!
Updates to technical rules for players
So we’ve talked about the big changes on the court, but what does this mean for players? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how these updates affect how you play — especially when it comes to positioning, blocking, and attack hits.
Positioning and rotation rules
First up, Rule 7.3 focuses on player rotation. Yep, you heard that right. The new rotation rules tweak the way players must move around the court. You’ll need to be more mindful of where you’re positioned before and after every serve.
The key thing to remember here is that players have to stay in their designated rotation spots at all times. That means no sneaky moving around between rotations!
These changes impact team formations quite a bit. Players can no longer just shift around willy-nilly when they’re out of position. The new rules keep everyone in check, and coaches might need to focus more on making sure their teams are sticking to the plan.
If players get too carried away with adjusting their spots, they could end up violating rotation rules, and that’s a fault!
Player actions at the net
Now, let’s talk about the net — because who doesn’t love a good block, right? Rule 11.2 changes blocking rules and net touching guidelines, and players need to understand how far they can reach over the net. Players are still allowed to block, but there are stricter conditions on how they can reach beyond the net.
The big change here? You can’t just casually stretch over the net during a block.
The net touching rules are also clearer. If you touch the net during the block or attack phase, it’s considered a fault. Simple, right? But be careful because, in the heat of the moment, players often forget that net touching can be costly.
Attack hits and restrictions
Next up, we have Rule 13.2, which focuses on attack hits for both front-row and back-row players. These new restrictions are important, especially for back-row players who can now only attack the ball when they’re behind the 3-meter line. So, no more getting fancy and jumping from anywhere!
What’s the impact of this rule? For back-row players, it means you’ll have to be more strategic with your movements. You can’t just charge forward and attack as you please. You’ve got to stay behind that 3-meter line, and you can only jump for the attack if you’re in the right spot. For front-row players, this means a bit more freedom to move around and attack.
Refereeing changes and the impact on officials
Referees are the unsung heroes of volleyball, making sure everything runs smoothly and fairly. With the FIVB rulebook getting a facelift, their role is shifting a bit, too.
Changes in referee responsibilities
The role of both the first and second referees has become more crucial. Rule 24.2 emphasizes the importance of clear decision-making to keep things fair and smooth. With so many new changes, they now have to be extra sharp in their decision-making processes.
We’ll be seeing quicker decisions, especially around tricky situations like serving faults or when players step out of the player rotation. Plus, referees now have clearer referee signals to communicate these decisions, so there’ll be less confusion.
Referee training and preparation
Rule 22.2 makes it clear that both the 1st and 2nd referees need to stay sharp. They have to make quick decisions and use hand signals right after a whistle to show what’s happening — whether it’s a serving fault or a rotation issue.
As a coach, I always remind my players to respect the referees’ calls, even when they don’t agree. After all, referees are learning and adapting too. With the right training and clear procedures, they’ll keep the match fair and smooth for everyone.
How teams and players can adapt to the new rules
It’s time for us — players and coaches — to figure out how to adjust. The new rules are definitely going to shake things up, so how can we be ready for the changes? Let’s take a look.
Training and tactics for coaches
For coaches, adapting to the updated volleyball rules is all about staying flexible and smart. Rule 7.6 talks about changes to serving positions, which means we need to fine-tune how we coach our players to stay in those positions. It’s about using drills that emphasize player rotation and making sure everyone knows their spot at all times.
The new rules are definitely going to affect team formations, so we need to get ahead of it. A few drills you might want to consider:
- Serve receive patterns to help players adjust to the changes in serve positions.
- Rotation exercises that help players move smoothly into their designated spots.
- Blocking drills to make sure players understand the new limitations on net reaching and the impact of net touching.
Player preparation and mental adaptation
For players, the key is mental adaptation. The new rules are going to bring longer rallies and more complex situations. Rule 9.2 highlights the need for resilience — don’t let mistakes or tricky calls get to you. Stay in the moment, especially when the game feels like it’s changing from rally to rally.
To mentally prepare for these changes, focus on:
- Building mental toughness to stay sharp, especially during those longer rallies.
- Adapting to complex referee decisions, knowing that every call won’t always go your way.
- Staying flexible in your movements, especially with the new restrictions on back-row players and the need for precision in your positioning.
The impact of new rules on international competitions
The 2025-2028 updates to the FIVB rulebook are more than just a fresh take on the game — they’re set to affect international volleyball competitions in a major way. From global tournaments like the Olympics to the World Cups, these changes will shape the future of the sport and its audience.
Global standardization of volleyball
One of the best things about these new rules is how they bring consistency to volleyball, especially in international competitions. The goal is to create a global standard for the game, so whether you’re at a local tournament or watching the Olympics, the game feels the same everywhere.
This means that no matter where the match is played, everyone is on the same playing field — literally and figuratively. As a coach, I love knowing that no matter where my team plays, the rules will be the same, and that gives the game a real sense of fairness.
Promoting the growth of volleyball worldwide
As volleyball continues to spread, we’ll see new talent emerging, especially in places where the sport is still growing.
These changes to the rulebook aren’t just for the top teams — they’re meant to help grow volleyball worldwide. The updated rules make the game more accessible for players at every level. With clearer, more consistent rules, countries all over can adopt them and help grow the sport in their regions.
FAQs
1. How will the new FIVB rule changes impact volleyball training?
These updates will bring a fresh twist to training! Coaches will need to focus more on player rotations, serve positions, and keeping those defensive strategies sharp. Expect some new drills that’ll make everyone more adaptable to the changes!
2. What’s the biggest change to serving positions in the new rulebook?
Serving positions are getting a bit stricter! Players need to stick more closely to their designated spots during serves, which means the receiving team can better anticipate the serve. It’s going to lead to longer, more intense rallies.
3. Why are back-row players restricted in their attack hits?
Good news for front-row players — more freedom to attack! But back-row players now have to stay behind the 3-meter line to attack. This change makes their movements more strategic, and they’ll need to plan their positioning carefully.
4. How does the new “external space” rule for the net change things?
Now the ball has a bit more room to cross over the net! This allows for more creative plays, but it also means referees will need to pay extra attention to the ball’s path, especially around the antennas. It’s a whole new challenge for both players and refs.
5. How do the changes affect referees and their role in the game?
Referees are getting a little more work, too! With new hand signals and quicker decision-making needed, they’ll be sharper than ever, making the game fair and smooth. They’ll be ready to handle those tricky calls in no time!