1. VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS
EDUCATION PROGRAM

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3. IHSAA Modifications to NFHS Volleyball Rules
The IHSAA has established rules and policies that are different from or in addition to NFHS Volleyball rules.

4. IHSAA Modifications Scrimmage Format
Only held between two member schools
One scrimmage per school
Players must participate in 5 days of practice A specific script must be followed
Additional information located on the IHSAA Central Hub -
The IHSAA volleyball scrimmage format is posted on the volleyball page of the IHSAA web site.
Coaches and officials shall not deviate from the prescribed rules, and additional questions should be directed to the IHSAA Offices.

5. IHSAA Modifications Pre-Match Warm-Up – 15 minutes
The visiting team shall use the court the first 7½ minutes with the home team warming up outside the court.
This procedure is then reversed for the second 7½ minutes.
The pre-match warm-up format is used for all levels of play. The total warm-up time shall be 15 minutes prior to each match and exclusive of match preliminaries conducted by officials. Each team shall be limited to 7½ minutes on full court, with use of the net. The visiting team shall use the court the first 7½ minutes with the home team warming up outside the court. This procedure is then reversed for the second 7½ minutes.

6. IHSAA Modifications Pre-Match Conference
The pre-match conference for the varsity match should take place as soon as possible after the completion of the junior varsity match.
The head coach and a team captain(s) are required to attend the pre-match conference.
Pre-Match Conference
To expedite the contests, the pre-match conference for the varsity match should take place as soon as possible after the completion of the junior varsity match. The head coach and a team captain(s) should be ready for the pre-match conference immediately upon the completion of the preceding match.

7. IHSAA Modifications Match Format Varsity JV-Freshman
All matches shall be the best three-of-five sets
Sets shall be played to 25 points, win by 2 points (no cap)
The fifth and deciding set shall be played to 15 points, win by 2 points (no cap)
JV-Freshman
All matches shall be the best two-of-three sets
The first two sets shall be played to 25 points, capped at 25 points
The third and deciding set shall be played to 15 points, capped at 15 points
Regular Season Tournaments – All Levels
Regular season tournaments shall consist of matches requiring the best three-of-five, or the best two-of-three sets.
Match Format
Varsity
At the varsity level, matches shall be best three-of-five sets.
Sets shall be played to 25 points, win by 2 points (no cap).
The fifth and deciding set shall be played to 15 points, win by 2 points (no cap).
JV-Freshman
All matches shall be the best two-of-three sets. The first two sets shall be played to 25 points, capped at 25. The third and deciding set shall be played to 15 points, capped at 15.
Regular Season Tournaments – All Levels
In regular season matches, the length and number of sets may not be modified. However, regular season tournaments may be played in a best two out of three or best three out of five set format. Officials and participating schools should be notified of the match format, prior to the day of the tournament.

8. IHSAA Modifications Player Limitations
During the regular season, players may not participate in more than five sets (Varsity, JV, Freshman) against the same school in any one day.
Players may not participate at more than one level of play (Varsity, JV, Freshman) in a given tournament.
Players may not participate in more than four matches in one day.
4. If an infraction occurs, the issue will be dealt with at the administrative level following the match. Officials are not responsible for applying penalties.
IHSAA Rule is the rule most often violated by volleyball teams each year.

9. IHSAA Modifications Player Limitations
4. A freshman or c-team may participate in a contest which ends in a draw (2 sets) if:
(1.) either participating schools does not have enough students to play the full three (3) sets in the contest because the students are expected to play in the up-coming JV contest.
(2.) both schools agree to the shortened contest before the contest begins.
IHSAA Rule is the rule most often violated by volleyball teams each year.

10. IHSAA Modifications Contest Personnel – Host school Shall Provide
Official Scorer - The host school shall provide the official scorer. There may be 2 scorebooks on the scorer’s table, if space permits.
2. Libero Tracker
Regular Season - The host school is responsible for providing the libero tracker for both teams. If the host school does not use a libero, the visiting team may provide their own libero tracker. If the visiting school cannot provide an libero tracker, the host school must provide one. An individual other than the official scorer must be provided to record all libero replacements and substitutions. The libero tracker shall be seated at the officials table next to the official scorer.
Tournament Series - The host school must provide the libero tracker.
The following few slides refer to personnel needed for a volleyball contest.
Official Scorer - The host school shall provide the official scorer. here may be 2 scorebooks on the scorer’s table, if space permits.
2. Libero Tracker
Regular Season - The host school is responsible for providing the libero tracker for both teams. If the host school does not use a libero, the visiting team may provide their own libero tracker. If the visiting school cannot provide an libero tracker, the host school must provide one. An individual other than the official scorer must be provided to record all libero replacements and substitutions. The libero tracker shall be seated at the officials table next to the official scorer.
Tournament Series - The host school must provide the libero tracker.

11. IHSAA Modifications Contest Personnel (cont.) 3. Line Judges
Regular Season – All line judges shall be provided by the host school. The use of adult line judges is preferred, but student line judges may be used during the season. Schools should provided proper training for all individuals performing line judge duties.
Tournament Series – Sectional, Regional, and Semi-State hosts will select line judges. The IHSAA will select line judges for the state championships. All line judges shall be IHSAA licensed officials. Flags – Schools must provide flags for the line judges.
Regular Season – The host school is responsible for insuring that line judges are available for each match. The use adult line judges is preferred, but student line judges may be used during the season. Schools should provided proper training for all individuals performing line judge duties.
Tournament Series – Sectional, Regional, and Semi-State hosts will select line judges. The IHSAA will select line judges for the state championships. All line judges will be IHSAA licensed officials.
Flags – Schools must provide flags for the line judges.

12. IHSAA Modifications UNSPORTING BEHAVIOR – NFHS Rule 12
A. Yellow Cards Officials are required to report unsporting actions of a coach or student athlete resulting in a yellow card to the IHSAA within 48 hours.
B. Red Cards
Officials are required to report unsporting actions of a coach or student resulting in a red card to the IHSAA within 48 hours.
C. Ejection – Yellow and Red Card Officials are required to report the ejection of a coach or student athlete to the IHSAA within 48 hours.
IHSAA By-Law 8-3
Any contestant or coach ejected from a contest for an unsportsmanlike act shall be suspended from the next interschool contest at that level of competition and all other interschool contests at any level in the interim, in addition to any other penalties assessed.
UNSPORTING BEHAVIOR
A. Yellow Cards
1. A yellow card may be issued for a first minor offense of unsporting behavior. The offense shall be noted on the score sheet in the Comments section.
2. No penalty point is assessed to the opponent.
3. If a card is issued to the head coach, assistant coach or team bench, the head coach must remain seated for the rest of the match.
B. Red Cards
1. A red card may be issued for a second minor offense by the same individual, or a single serious offense.
2. A point/loss of rally and the serve shall be awarded to the opponent and the penalty shall be recorded in the Comments section on the score sheet and on the second referee's line-up card.
If a card is issued to the head coach, assistant coach or team bench, the head coach must remain seated for the rest of the match.
Officials are required to report unsporting actions of a coach resulting in a red card to the IHSAA within 48 hours.
C.Ejection – Yellow and Red Card
1. A Yellow and Red card displayed at the same time shall indicate an ejection, and is the result of a third minor offense or second serious offense by the same individual, or a single flagrant offense.
2. The offender is removed from further participation in the match and may be removed from the vicinity of the team bench provided there is authorized school personnel available to supervise. When the offender is a coach or other adult team personnel, the offender shall be moved from the premises.
A point/loss of rally and the serve shall be awarded to the opponent and the penalty shall be recorded in the Comments section on the score sheet and on the second referee's line-up card.
4. Officials are required to report the ejection of a student athlete and/or coach to the IHSAA within 48 hours.
IHSAA By-Law 8-3
Any contestant or coach ejected from a contest for an unsportsmanlike act shall be suspended from the next interschool contest at that level of competition and all other interschool contests at any level in the interim, in addition to any other penalties assessed.

13. IHSAA Modifications
Coaches’ Conduct – NFHS Rule A head coach may stand in the libero replacement zone to coach his or her players. During play, the head coach shall be no closer to the court than 6 feet from the sideline. If a card (yellow and/or red) is issued to the head coach, assistant coach(es) or team bench, the head coach must remain seated for the remainder of the match except:
1. To request a time-out or substitution during a dead ball;
2. To confer with officials during specifically requested time-outs;
3. As provided in Rule
This slide refers to those scenarios in which a coach may stand after being regulated to the bench because of a yellow or red card assessment.

14. IHSAA Modifications
IHSAA UNSPORTING CONDUCT REPORT If a participant or coach is ejected from a contest for an unsporting act, the incident is to be reported by the officials to the school administrator in charge and submitted to the IHSAA office within 48 hours. The person that was ejected will be suspended from the next contest. A participant or coach ejected during a multi-match contest is disqualified for the entire day. The form is located on the IHSAA Central Hub ( and can be accessed by clicking on “Forms”. IHSAA EXEMPLARY SPORTMANSHIP REPORT Schools administrators, coaches, contest officials and fans are encouraged to submit Exemplary Sportsmanship Reports for any outstanding acts of sporting behavior witnessed prior to, during, or after a contest. The reporting and acknowledgement of good sportsmanship will help promote and encourage others to replicate such behavior. The form is located on the IHSAA Central Hub ( under the forms tab, by clicking on the Exemplary Behavior link.
IHSAA UNSPORTING CONDUCT REPORT
If a participant or coach is ejected from a contest for an unsporting act, the incident is to be reported by the officials to the school administrator in charge and submitted to the IHSAA office within 48 hours. The person that was ejected will be suspended from the next contest. A participant or coach ejected during a multi-match contest is disqualified for the entire day. The form is located on the IHSAA Central Hub ( and can be accessed by clicking on “Forms”.
IHSAA EXEMPLARY SPORTMANSHIP REPORT Schools administrators, coaches, contest officials and fans are encouraged to submit Exemplary Sportsmanship Reports for any outstanding acts of sporting behavior witnessed prior to, during, or after a contest. The reporting and acknowledgement of good sportsmanship will help promote and encourage others to replicate such behavior. The form is located on the IHSAA Central Hub ( under the forms tab, by clicking on the Exemplary Behavior link.

15. Concussion Guidelines
A high school student athlete who may have sustained a concussion or a head injury in a high school practice or a high school contest should immediately have the existence of a concussion or a head injury confirmed by the school’s medical person, who:
is an individual who has training in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries and who is either an Indiana athletic trainer ATC/L or an Indiana medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) holding an unlimited license to practice medicine in the state of Indiana, and
has been assigned to a contest to provide medical services or has been assigned to provide medical services to students at a school’s athletic practice. If it is confirmed by the school’s medical person that the student athlete has not sustained a concussion or a head injury, the student athlete may continue participation in the contest or practice.
A high school student athlete who may have sustained a concussion or a head injury in a high school practice or a high school contest should immediately have the existence of a concussion or a head injury confirmed by the school’s medical person, who:
is an individual who has training in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries and who is either an Indiana athletic trainer ATC/L or an Indiana medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) holding an unlimited license to practice medicine in the state of Indiana, and
has been assigned to a contest to provide medical services or has been assigned to provide medical services to students at a school’s athletic practice. If it is confirmed by the school’s medical person that the student athlete has not sustained a concussion or a head injury, the student athlete may continue participation in the contest or practice.

16. Concussion Guidelines
A high school student athlete, suspected of having sustained a concussion or a head injury in a high school practice or contest in an IHSAA recognized sport, and who is unable to have the absence of the concussion or head injury confirmed, should:
be removed from practice and play at the time of the concussion or head injury is sustained,
be evaluated immediately by an appropriate health care professional, who (i) is an Indiana medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who holds an unlimited license to practice medicine in the state of Indiana, and (ii) has training in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries,
follow a step-wise protocol which has provisions for the delay of the return to practice or play based upon the return of any signs or symptoms of concussion or head injury, and
not return to a practice or play (i) until the high school student athlete is cleared in writing to return to practice and play by the health care professional who conducted an evaluation of the student athlete, or (ii) any sooner than twenty-four (24) hours after the student athlete was removed from practice or play.
A high school student athlete, suspected of having sustained a concussion or a head injury in a high school practice or contest in an IHSAA recognized sport, and who is unable to have the absence of the concussion or head injury confirmed, should:
be removed from practice and play at the time of the concussion or head injury is sustained,
be evaluated immediately by an appropriate health care professional, who (i) is an Indiana medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who holds an unlimited license to practice medicine in the state of Indiana, and (ii) has training in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries,
follow a step-wise protocol which has provisions for the delay of the return to practice or play based upon the return of any signs or symptoms of concussion or head injury, and
not return to a practice or play (i) until the high school student athlete is cleared in writing to return to practice and play by the health care professional who conducted an evaluation of the student athlete, or (ii) any sooner than twenty-four (24) hours after the student athlete was removed from practice or play.

17. Concussion Guidelines
An official has a role in recognizing concussive signs and in making a report during a contest in an IHSAA recognized sport, and that role includes:
if, during a contest, and an official observes a player who exhibits concussive signs (including appearing dazed, stunned, confused, disoriented, to have memory loss, or the athlete is either unconscious or apparently unconscious), the official should immediately notify a coach that a player showed concussive signs and advise that the player should be seen by the school’s medical person or by an appropriate health care professional, and
if an official observes a player who exhibits concussive signs during a contest, and regardless of whether the student athlete returns to play or not, following the contest, an official’s report shall be filed with the school of the player who exhibited concussive signs, including the athletic director, by the official that initially observed the student who exhibited concussive signs; this report may be found on the IHSAA website at
In cases where an assigned IHSAA Tournament Series physician (MD/DO) is present, his or her decision regarding any potential concussion or head injury, or to forbid an athlete to return to competition, is final, binding and may not be overruled.
An official has a role in recognizing concussive signs and in making a report during a contest in an IHSAA recognized sport, and that role includes:
if, during a contest, and an official observes a player who exhibits concussive signs (including appearing dazed, stunned, confused, disoriented, to have memory loss, or the athlete is either unconscious or apparently unconscious), the official should immediately notify a coach that a player showed concussive signs and advise that the player should be seen by the school’s medical person or by an appropriate health care professional, and
if an official observes a player who exhibits concussive signs during a contest, and regardless of whether the student athlete returns to play or not, following the contest, an official’s report shall be filed with the school of the player who exhibited concussive signs, including the athletic director, by the official that initially observed the student who exhibited concussive signs; this report may be found on the IHSAA website at
In cases where an assigned IHSAA Tournament Series physician (MD/DO) is present, his or her decision regarding any potential concussion or head injury, or to forbid an athlete to return to competition, is final, binding and may not be overruled.

18. IHSAA Information Miscellaneous Information Approved Balls
1. Season – All balls must contain the NFHS seal.
2. Tournament – Wilson ICOR High Performance Volleyball
– Central Hub Volleyball Page
Educational Resources IHSAA Fall Bulletin Scrimmage Rules Officials Scorecard Policy for Tournament Selection
IHSAA Bulletin - The IHSAA Fall Bulletin is posted on the volleyball page of the site. This bulletin contains the format for the tournament series, sites, and procedures.
Approved Balls
1. Volleyballs used during the regular season must contain the NFHS seal.
2. The tournament series volleyball is the Wilson ICOR High Performance Volleyball, which is a new ball this year.
IHSAA Web Site
Miscellaneous Information
All pertinent information regarding IHSAA volleyball, including rules interpretations, shall be posted on the web site.
Information pertaining to officials will be posted on the officials tab of the site, and on the IHSAA Central Hub through Arbiter.