In the new season, new rules will be applied worldwide. We asked several insiders for their opinion on two notable changes.

CHANGE 1. Ban on “screening”. Players on the serving team may no longer hold their hands above or on their heads, though they can keep them behind their heads for protection in case of a bad serve.

Matthijs Verhanneman (T1 Knack Roeselare): “A good move. It barely affects the game itself. The rule is clear and not open to interpretation.”
Ivan Janssen (T2 Greenyard Maaseik): “Some teams used ‘screening’ or raised arms as a tactical tool. That’s no longer possible. The change isn’t bad per se, but it does take away certain tactical options.”
Frank Depestele (T1 Lindemans Aalst): “‘Screening’ was heavily used by the national team. It’s finally clear what’s allowed and what’s not. This is progress.”
Hendrik Tuerlinckx (T1 Haasrode-Leuven): “A valuable improvement. There wasn’t much abuse, but occasionally there were extremes. Spectators will hardly notice.”
Jelle Sinnesael (T2 Decospan Menen): “Good news. More visibility for reception players improves play-building. Modern volleyball has become a true ‘power game’ from the service zone.”
Arturo Di Giacomo (Chairman of the CEV and Volley Belgium Referees Commission, FIVB and CEV Referee Coach, Vice President COIB): “The game becomes fairer and more transparent. Every serve is more visible to the receiving team, making reception smoother.”

CHANGE 2. Players on the serving team may move as soon as the toss starts, not only when the serve is struck.
Serving players can choose their position freely. The setter may join the front row right after the toss. Back-row players can move toward the net to create confusion. Once the rally starts, they revert to being back players, with attack rights only behind the three-meter line.

Matthijs Verhanneman: “This change has a big impact, especially in rotation 1 where the opposite moves around to attack. It’s a bit of a pity, since rotations are a distinctive part of the game.”
Ivan Janssen: “The game becomes faster and tactically more interesting. Coaches can be more creative with rotations and formations. Also positive: players get more freedom to use their strengths.”
Frank Depestele: “I’m looking forward to the start of the season. Will it be better? Well, there’ll be less discussion and more support for referees. I’m eager and curious to start.”
Hendrik Tuerlinckx: “It takes getting used to. We’re already training for these changes. It requires analyzing the toss (high or low) and serve type. With a jump float, you get two extra seconds to react, as you can move from the toss moment. Six players at the net? I don’t really see that happening.”
Jelle Sinnesael: “I understand the relaxation, but it’s strange that everyone can move freely before the serve is hit. That makes court positioning messy and chaotic.”
Arturo Di Giacomo: “The free pre-serve positioning aims to bring more dynamic and tactical variation, offering new strategic possibilities without altering the basic rotation or front/back player rules.”

Text: PL
Photo: VolleyballWorld