View and download the 2023-25 Indoor Rulebook

At the October 2017 National USA Volleyball meetings a motion was passed to recommend to the Officials Division that they “Modify officials training at all levels to encourage referees to focus less on matters that do not provide a competitive advantage or safety factor for a player or team”. Training emphasis should be placed on facilitating the playing rules rather than minor rules infractions. This includes but is not limited to the following items: non-metallic items on wrist, spectators feet on the sport court, uniform number that is visible but is just off center, warming up in non-numbered shirts, bench personnel on playing surface, but not blocking a line judge view, etc. Rationale: Over officious referees concentrate on small details that have nothing to do with playing the game. So the game becomes miserable for players, coaches and spectators. If a minor infraction has nothing to do with how the game is being played, referees should be trained to overlook these items. Bring the fun and excitement back to the game.

 Download the 2021-23 Indoor Officiating and Scoring Guidelines

• 2022-23 Rules Interpretation 1 – February 2023 (PDF)
• 2021-2023 Significant USAV Rules Modifications and Clarifications (PDF) - December 2021
• Prosthetic - 2021 Rule Decision (PDF) - December2021
• USA Volleyball Indoor Casebook
• 2020-21 Rules Interpretation 1 - December 2020
• 2019-20 Rules Interpretation 1 - November 2019
• 2019-20 Rules Interpretation 2 - March 2020
• 2018-19 Rules Interpretation 1 - March 2019
• 2017-18 Rules Interpretation 1 - March 2018
• 2017-18 Test Rule Cases
• 2017-18 Rules Interpretation 1

Rule Modifications effective only in Delta Region events– not at National events or Bid Qualifier:

• Boys may play in girls divisions 10s, 11s & 12s; boys age 13 may play in girls 14s division; boys age 14 may play in girls 16s division- as long as they fall into the age requirement guidelines (either coed or boys).
• 2-meter Step-in Serving rule for 12 & under will be used at all Delta Region events.
• Player Uniform Waiver: The DCR says “the color and design for the jerseys and shorts must be uniform…” which indicates shorts over spandex would not be allowable. However, for play within the Delta Region, the Delta Region Commissioner can grant exceptions to players who, for religious or modesty reasons, wish  to  cover up.  Players that have been granted a Uniform Waiver have been instructed to carry the Delta Region authorization to all Delta Region events for verification. The shorts will need to be the same color as the team’s spandex. 
• Age Group Waivers will be accepted: Many athletes would prefer to play with their classmates, even if they are slightly older and their birth date would require her to play with an older age group. If the coach wants to request an age-group waiver, the entire team will be unable to play in nationally-sanctioned events. Age waivers will be granted to junior players within the Delta Region, to play in the next lower age group only.  For example, a 16 year old junior player that is in the 9th grade and whose birthday is prior to Sept. 1 of the following year may apply for a waiver to play with her 9th grade classmates for the upcoming season.  These waivers will be valid only within the Delta Region and will not be valid at the national level. Other  regions  MAY choose to allow the participation of age waived players. Contact the individual Tournament Director to check on the eligibility of waived players within the region you will be playing.  If an outside region does not accept waived players then said player may not participate in sanctioned tournaments within that region unless the player plays with her age appropriate team as directed by the USAV Age Definitions. Age-waivered players may also not participate in the Delta Region Bid Qualifier, any National Qualifier or the Junior Olympic National Championships unless the player plays with her age-appropriate team.

Note: if a team plans to play in the Delta Bid Qualifier, National Qualifiers or the Junior National Championships, they MAY not want to utilize these changes in their team selection or tournament play, as these modifications will not be in force…so age-waivered players cannot play, etc. Other Regions may not accept these waivers; it is the decision of each region.

Prior to purchasing your uniforms, check out   https://volleyballreftraining.com/rules_interpretations_indoor.php.  The Rules Advisory Commission and Regions have developed a plan to help teams ensure they have legal uniforms for the 2019-2020 season.

Teams may use this website to have uniforms reviewed prior to ordering if they are unsure of the uniform design, number contrast, or Libero uniform contrast. This process will assist officials, clubs, players, and fans online and in the gyms identify players on the court. If a team has a question on a current uniform, they can seek assistance from the USAV Rules Interpreter. If a uniform is not compliant, USAV will work with the teams to find a solution that will be in effect for all Bid, Qualifier, and National Events. Regions may make their own decisions for in-region events.

Please help us help you avoid any issues with your uniforms this season! If you are uncertain about your uniforms, please fill out the form found on this site (as accurately as possible) and upload front and back images of each jersey your team might be wearing this season. The USAV Rules Interpreter will then put together an approval form for your team indicating what jerseys should be worn in combination with each other. If any jerseys are a problem, that will also be included in the form from the interpreter. Please allow 5 business days for us to process your submission, but please note in the form below if your submission is time sensitive.

An additional motion was passed at the meeting to give the final authority on jersey legality to the tournament director, qualifier director or USA Volleyball national events director. Rationale: Not all referees can agree on what is a legal jersey and what is not. Some referees make over reaching decisions because they fear repercussions of not following all rules to the letter. Tournament directors want the players to play, even if a jersey does not comply with the strict interpretation of a rule.