Volleyball - Can a back row player jump from in front of the attack line? Can they play the ball in the air?

Question

What does the rules state about a back row player playing the ball infront of the attact line...in easy to understand english please.

Answer 1

A back row volleyball player can attack the ball if they leave the ground before crossing the attack line. If you jump and do not go over the height of the net they are technically not supposed to call you on it.  But some volleyball refs will call you no matter how small the jump is. I know from experience because I am very short and I get away with jumping in the front row because I can easily control whether or not I go over the height of the net. It is good to get the team captain to clarify this rule with the ref. As a volleyball player I know that you need to always adapt to the ref. It earns you points in the game and if you play their way you have a better chance of doing well.

Answer 2

Back row players can not leave the floor in front of the 10 foot line on the court and "attack" the ball.  If you watch the back row attacks in the college ranks, the back row hitters leave the ground just behind the 10 foot line before they attack the ball, thus contacting it in the air.  You can not, as a back row player, contact the ball above the height of the net in front of the 10 foot line.  So as long as the ball is below the top of the net, a back row player can pass the ball in front of the 10 foot line, but they can't hit or block at the net.

Hope this helps.  I tried to make it as easy as possible.

Answer 3

A back row player can jump and play the ball anywhere as long as he doesn't hit the ball over the net.  If the ball is going over the net his hand cannot be over the tape unless he leaves the ground from behind the attack line.