Plane of the net/back row attack?

Question

Hey there-

I coach 8th grade. I run a 6-2 rotation. I have always taught my setters that if they need to tip, etc, they need to keep a foot on the ground as to not get called on a back row attack.

During a game a few weeks ago, my setter was doing exactly that, (and I told her nice work keeping a foot down) and the ref turned to me and said that she was allowed to jump at the net, just as long as she doesn't cross the plane of the net.

Yesterday during our game, she got called on a back row attack while tipping. She jumped a little, but being fairly short, didn't cross the plane of the net. (It was a different set of refs this time)

So- now I'm just confused on what the rules are. Maybe the first set of refs didn't think she was playing back row at the time?

Can anyone explain?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Wow interesting... I always thought the rule was to keep a foot on the ground i would say do one of these 2 things.

1. Before the game (during coin toss or some time) clarify what the refs personal beliefs are on the rule then tell your setter what to do

2. Play it safe always keep a foot on the ground

Answer 2

A back row attack is judged on the height of the ball, not whether or not your player is above the height of the net.  (Obviously if the ball is completely above the height of the net, then your player must be above the height of the net too.)  

If the ball is completely above the height of the net, then your back row player may not send the ball over the net in any way.  It does not matter if your player is attacking the ball or trying to set the ball.  It does not matter if it is sent over on purpose or accidentally.  

It is an illegal back row attack if:

1) the ball is completely above the height of the net AND

2) the player is back row AND

3) the last contact with the floor by the player is on or in front of the attack line AND

4) the ball crosses into the plane of the net.

All 4 have to be the case before it is an illegal attack.  3 out of 4 makes it a legal play.  And also notice that the description does not contain the word jump.  If your setter is tall, she can be an illegal back row attacker while standing on the ground.  If your setter is short, she may not ever be an illegal back row attacker.  (I have called both extremes.  One school had a setter that was 6'2" and she was on the ground and reached with full extension to send a ball over the net.  That was an illegal back row attack.  The other extreme was a setter that was 5'0" and did not jump well.  She could not touch the top square of the net on her best jump.  She can legally do a spike with approach and never be an illegal back row attack.  She can not hit a ball if it was completely above the height of the net.)  

There is an area where there is a lot of confusion.  If the ball goes into the plane of the net, your setter does not have exclusive right to play the ball even though she is trying to set the ball.  It is legal for the other team to play a ball in the plane of the net.  The referee has to make several decisions on a play where a back row setter and a blocker both touch the ball.  If the blocker reaches too far over, then it is a violation on the blocker.  If the back row setter touches it first, then it is a back row attack on the back row setter.  If the blocker touches it first and the back row setter then touches it and they are above the height of the net, it a back row block on the back row setter.  (It is one of the plays that referees like to see least.)  

You can see why your referees are also confused.  You will get referees calling what they believe is the rule.  The back row situations are the most mis-called of any rule.  If they call it, it is often wrong.  More referees will not call it because they do not understand it.  

If I have confused you, please feel free to email me and I will try to make it more clear.

Answer 3

Hi,

I want to clarify for you the back row attack.  A setter may tip or attack the ball over the net as a back row player if she does not break the plane of the net or when she attacks the ball she is not above the net when contact is made.  However, most referee's will call a back row attack when a setter jumps on the front row.  A women's height net is somewhat easy to jump above.  Just remember, if even one finger is above the plane of that net, it is considered a back row attack.  Also, most referee's are eager to make this call because of fear of being attacked by the other team's coach, 98% of the time, the referee does make the right judgement call.  

If I were you, I would tell your setters to make all attempts at keeping there feet planted if they are going to tip the ball over the net.  Tell them to tip high, that way it won't be blocked.  Even in college, our setters sometimes got called for back row attacks.  It is the way the referee perceives the attack.

Hope this helped you.