In the world of sports, the rules help guarantee consistency from game to game; however the rules, though rare, can change and evolve over time. In January 2024, a new double-contact rule was approved, allowing players to touch the ball twice on the second contact. The rule is intended to create longer rallies, continue play and build suspense. The NCAA’s rule change has left players with differing opinions about the future of the game.
Sophomore Camryn Brandt, a setter for Fremont High School’s varsity volleyball team, is not a fan of the new rule. Brandt said the rule relaxes standards by allowing anyone to set the ball and lowering the overall level of setting and volleyball.
Brandt said setting is a difficult skill that requires a great deal of work. She also said the rule is unfair because referees do not enforce it consistently.
“If all referees enforced the rule consistently, the game would be fairer,” Brandt said.
Brandt acknowledged one benefit of the rule is longer rallies and continuous play, as points will not stop due to accidental double contacts. However, she said a drawback is that any player can take the second ball and play it however they choose. Because she has trained under the previous rule for most of her life, Brandt said the change has altered her perspective on the game.
“Even though a new rule was applied, I will continue to work hard and be the best player I can,” Brandt said.
During games, Brandt still sets using the old standard. If she accidentally touches the ball twice in one play, she recognizes the mistake immediately and corrects her technique.
Sophomore Alexa Pizarro is a setter for the junior varsity and reserve teams at Fremont High School. She said she is happy with the new rule because if a pass is slightly off and the set is not perfect, it will not count against her team. As long as the ball stays on her side of the net before the third hit, the play continues.
Pizarro said the rule is fair because it helps create longer rallies, but she also believes it could be harmful if players rely only on the rule instead of improving their skills. She said the rule helps players who are not setters feel more confident when taking the second ball.
“I believe making clean, smooth sets is much more important than just depending on the new rule,” Pizarro said.
Freshman Saylor Winn is a setter for the freshman and reserve teams at Fremont High School. She said she likes the rule because she knows not every set will be perfect and that mistakes can be corrected during play.
“Not being called for doubling in a game reassures me,” Winn said.
Winn said the rule allows non-setters to focus on keeping the rally alive rather than worrying about making a technical mistake. However, she also said some setters might become careless and stop focusing on proper technique.
Winn said she continues to work on her setting skills and uses mistakes as learning opportunities.
Because of the rule change, players are adjusting their approach while continuing to develop their technique. While perfection may be unattainable, consistent practice and effort remain essential to success in volleyball.
