Never Over!?

Question

Where I play volleyball, people use old rules with some modification and some rules seem to be messed up.

Anyway, when a hitter hits the ball but it gets caught in the net and the blocker on the other side touches it at the same time, they call it "Never Over" and the blocker's team gets the point.

They argue that whether the blocker touched it or not, the ball wasn't going to come over the net. My point is that the last touch was made by the blocker so it should be in play just like when you pass a ball that's going out and keep it in play.

Can someone please provide some official rules pertaining to this matter? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

If the ball hits the blocker through the net, nothing happens.  Play continues as if the blocker does not touch it.  If the team hits the first ball into the net and the blocker through the middle of the net, the team has 2 plays left on the ball.  If they hit the third ball into the net, the play will end as soon as the ball hits another player on the offensive team or hits the floor or another object.  

If the blocker moves to intentionally touch the ball through the net, it is a net call on the blocker and the offensive team gets the ball.

If the ball actually hits the blocker above the net tape, it is counted as a team contact and the hitting team has 3 new contacts as stated by Dan above.  

The referee actually needs to determine the play.  If it hit the blocker above the net, it is still in play.  If it only hit the blocker through the net, the referee needs to wait until the ball hits the fourth contact or the floor or another object.  This is tough on the referee since the referee is at the worst angle to make that call.  Everyone else in the gym has a better angle to see that play.  

Here are some rule references from the USAV DCR.  (You can read rule book if you want.)  The FIVB (international), NCAA (US women's college) and NFSHSA (US junior high and high schools have very similar rules with different numbering.)  

10.3.1  A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the three team hits.

10.3.2 If the ball rips the mesh of the net or tears it down, the rally is cancelled or replayed.  

11.3.1 Contact with the net by a player is not a fault, unless it is made during the action of playing the ball, or it interferes with the play.

11.3.3 When the ball is driven into the net and causes it to touch an opponent, no fault is committed.

If this does not explain what you are asking or is not clear, please feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Thats a tough one. I agree that if the blocker touches the ball above the net it resets the hit count. But it sounds like your talking about the ball hitting the net below the top and hitting the blocker through the net. I would think that would be whatever "never over" means, unless you would call the blocker in the net, which I wouldn't think you would.

Answer 3

Both old rules and new rules (international or American) agree with you. The **touch** by the blocker reset the hit counter, and the team that saved the blocked shot should have three "fresh" hits after the block.

Answer 4

Your dumb how can you seriously ask that? If it hits the net, it never went over. And considering that's the point of the game, its the hitters fault