Why is the volleyball community in shambles after a new double contact rule is approved?
Volleyball, such as any sport, is based on skill. Whether it is a pass, set, or even a killer hit, everything is based on how hard work pays off. The NCAA just approved one of the most controversial rules in the volleyball community, and that is double contact.
A double contact is when the player is in progress of touching the ball, but ends up with twice contact on the ball. Originally, double contact was prohibited in the volleyball community until the NCAA overturned this rule in January.
Many players now are scared of how the game will be played. Some ask, where is the skill? Is this where the game is going? This is because when such a controversial rule is overturned, it messes with how athletes play on a court. Many are thinking of how coaches will be looking for a lack of skill just to fill a spot on the court.
For example, when a volleyball player is going to set the ball and touch the ball twice with her hands instead of one fluid movement. Coaches are very precise on their setters, they may even call them the star of the team. So now the volleyball community struggles to accept and adapt to such a non-standard environment.
Why are these plays allowed?
The double-touch rule has always been controversial. It’s difficult to outright “blame” a setter for touching the ball twice in different movements by only two referees. Between the audience, refs, players, and most importantly coaches this leads to many controversial arguments and may even ruin the game for players. This led the NCAA to approve the rule to manage the crowd and entertain rather than start conflicts in the community.
Why does the volleyball community care?
Not only is this a violation of the coaches, it’s all to the volleyball community. Players, specifically setters, have offered hours upon hours of work into their skill, and all of a sudden their work is overlooked. It sets this type of betrayal and disappointment of a game that was so wrapped in playing by rules. Some players struggle with making time because of how many hours they spend their day dedicated to volleyball to increase their abilities and make the coach proud. Now their skill has been overturned to make it more entertaining to the audience.