The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a change that combines in/out and touch calls into one reviewable challenge effective for the 2018 season.
Previously, coaches challenges for in/out and touch were separate, leaving open the possibility that some calls could not be overturned because the challenges had to pertain to one ruling or the other.
The challenge review system has been in effect for two seasons, and the two calls that are the most reviewed are in/out calls and touch calls. The average review time for challenges was 1 minute, 30 seconds in 2017.
The panel also approved allowing coaches to challenge 3-meter line attacks next season.
The Women’s Volleyball Rules Committee believes these types of plays can be difficult for the officials to call given the student-athletes’ evolving athleticism.
Another rule change set for the 2018 season allows coaches to have an additional challenge when a match goes to a fifth set. Any unused challenges will carry over into the fifth set, as well.
Libero jerseys
The panel approved a proposal to simplify rules regarding libero jerseys. The rule now states that the defensive specialist jersey must be immediately recognized from all angles as clearly contrasting with the jerseys of other members of the team.
Intermission
The panel approved reducing the maximum time for the intermission between the second and third sets to five minutes, hoping to improve pace of play. Previously, the maximum length for intermission was 10 minutes.
