– A set (except the deciding 3rd set) is won by the team which first scores 21 points with a minimum lead of two points. In the case of a 20-20 tie, play is continued until a two-point lead is achieved (22-20; 23-21; etc).

– The match is won by the team that wins two sets. D9 (9) 6.3.2 In the case of a 1-1 tie, the deciding 3rd set is played to 15 points with a minimum lead of 2 points.

– A team scores a point:

– by successfully landing the ball on the opponent’s court;
– A team commits a fault by making a playing action contrary to the rules (or by violating them in some other way).

The referees judge the faults and determine the consequences according to the rules;

– Before starting the game the referee conducts the toss to decide upon the first service and the sides of the court in the first set.
– In the second set the loser of the toss in the first set will have the choice. A new toss will be conducted for the deciding set.
– Prior to the match, if the teams have previously had another playing court at their disposal, they will have a 3-minute official warm up period at the net; if not, they may have 5 minutes.
– A player may not hit the ball two times consecutively (excepted if the first touch is a block).
– Two players may touch the ball at the same moment. When two teammates touch the ball simultaneously, it is counted as two hits (with the exception of blocking).
– If they reach for the ball but only one of them touches it, one hit is counted. If players collide, no fault is committed.
– When two opponents touch the ball simultaneously over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits.
– If such a ball goes ”out”, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side.
– If simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net lead to an extended contact with the ball, play continues
– If the ball hits the antenna after simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net, the rally should be replayed.
– The ball may touch any part of the body.
– The ball must not be caught or thrown. It can rebound in any direction.
– The ball may touch various parts of the body, provided that the contacts take place simultaneously.

– At the first hit of the team, provided it is not made overhand with fingers, consecutive contacts are permitted provided that the contacts occur during one action. During the first hit of the team if it is played overhand using fingers, the ball may NOT contact the fingers/ hands consecutively, even if the contacts occur during one action. However, at blocking, consecutive contacts may be made by one or more players, provided that they occur during one action.
– In defensive action of a hard driven ball, the ball contact can be extended momentarily even if an overhand finger action is used.
– It’s a fault if:
– a team hits the ball four times before returning it;
– the ball is caught and/or thrown;
– it does not rebound from the hit.
– a player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts various parts of his/her body in succession.
– In blocking, a player may touch the ball beyond the net, provided that he/she does not interfere with the opponent’s play, before or during the latter’s attack hit.
– After an attack hit, a player is permitted to pass his/her hand beyond the net, provided that the contact has been made within his/her own playing space.
– A player may enter into the opponent’s space, court and/or free zone, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent’s play.
– Contact with the net by a player between the antennae, during the action of playing the ball, is a fault.
The action of playing the ball includes (among others) take-off, hit (or attempt) and landing safely, ready for a new action.
– Players may touch the post, ropes, or any other object outside the antennae, including the net itself, provided that it does not interfere with the play.
– When the ball is driven into the net, causing it to touch an opponent, no fault is committed. It is fault when:
– A player touches the ball or an opponent in the opponent’s space before or during the opponent’s attack hit.
– A player interferes with the opponent’s play while penetrating into the opponent’s space under the net.
– A player interferes with play by (amongst others):
– touching the net between the antennae or the antenna itself during his/her action of playing the ball,
– using the net between the antennae as a support or stabilizing aid
– creating an unfair advantage over the opponent by touching the net
– making actions which hinder an opponent’s legitimate attempt to play the ball,
– catching/holding on to the net Any player close to the ball as it is played, and who is him/herself trying to play it, is considered in the action of playing the ball, even if no contact is made with it. However, touching the net outside the antenna is not to be considered as a fault.
– A team that does not appear on the playing court on time is declared in default.