2020 – 2021 NFHS VOLLEYBALL RULE CHANGES
4‑1‑4 (NEW): Allows the use of a molded protective face mask made of hard material during play.
Rationale: Creates consistency with other NFHS rules codes.
7‑1‑1; 7‑1‑1 PENALTIES; 7‑1‑1 PENALTIES 2 (NEW); 9‑9‑1a (NEW); 10‑3‑7b: Eliminates the loss of rally/point penalty for failure to submit the team roster during the prematch conference and replaces the penalty with an unnecessary delay (administrative yellow card).
Rationale:Eliminates the double penalty for a late roster and an incorrect roster before the start of the match.
7‑1‑4a(1) & (2) NEW: Allows a team to correct a submitted lineup if it lists a libero number that no team member is wearing.
Rationale:Creates consistency in allowing the correction of a clerical error (listing a number that no team member is wearing) on the lineup for a starting position and the libero position.
12‑2‑6: Establishes that a yellow card issued for unsporting conduct to the head coach, assistant coach(es) or team bench will no longer require the head coach to remain seated, while maintaining that a red unsporting conduct card will require the head coach to remain seated for the remainder of the match.
Rationale: Creates a penalty progression by allowing an official to warn a head coach with a yellow unsporting conduct card without requiring the coach to remain seated for the remainder of the match.
Official Signal #15: Establishes that an official will rotate their forearms around each other with closed hands to signal substitution.
Rationale:Aligns with current trends of the sport.
2020‑21 VOLLEYBALL MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
4‑2‑1e: Removes language referencing the size restrictions of mascots and/or school names placed on the uniform sleeve as a part of the 2019‑20 uniform rules changes.
10‑3‑6b, 10‑3‑6c, 10‑3‑6 NOTE (NEW): Clarifies the order of priority for an exceptional substitution for an injured/ill player aligning the language with Rule 10‑4‑3b.
2020‑21 Volleyball Editorial Changes
5‑4‑3c(22); 5‑4‑4b, c; 5‑5‑3b(20); 9‑7 PENALTIES 3; Rule 9 Unnecessary Delay Chart (NEW)
2020‑21 Volleyball Points of Emphasis
- Bench Behavior/Sportsmanship
- Management of Non‑Team Personnel
- Officials’ Communication
- Uniform Bottom Compliance
