FIVB to test new rules at U-23 World championships

By OSCAR PILIPILI and AGENCIES

As part of the agenda to modernise the sport of volleyball, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will test two new rules during the FIVB Under-23 World Championships Open.

The rule changes are being tested with an eye to modernising volleyball and making it more appealing for fans both on site and on television

The two rules that will be tested will see sets played to 21 points instead of the customary 25 and an interval of 15 seconds between the referee’s whistle and the serve.

The team which first scores 21 points with a minimum lead of two points wins the set (except the deciding fifth set, which remains unchanged).

According to latest news on the FIVB website, in the case of a 20-20 tie, play is continued until a two-point lead is achieved.

world championships

The change to the time outs will see one 60-second “technical time-out” applied automatically when the leading team reaches the 12th point as opposed to previously when the leading team reached the 8th or 16th point.

The rule changes will be tested at the under-23 World Championships Open, which takes place in Tijuana, Mexico from October 5 to 12 (women) and in Uberlandia, Brazil from October 6 to 14 (men).

Coach Sammy Mulinge who will handle the national under-23 side in Tijuana welcomed the changes saying: “We have seen some changes before like the introduction of libero and this has made volleyball a more interesting game.”

“I want to believe that the 21 points rule will also make volleyball an even more entertaining sport,” he said.

Mulinge said he is sensitising the players on the new rules that will be used in Mexico.

“All players in camp are aware of the changes and are happy to be among the pioneers to effect the new rules,” he said.

opilipili@standardmedia.co.ke