FIVB to test out new rules at Under-23 world championships

Two experimental rules in the game of volleyball are all set to be tested out during the upcoming under-23 world championships for men and women to be held next month in Brazil and Mexico, reports TOI.

The two rules to be put into practice by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) at these two championships are – sets played to 21 points instead of the regular 25 and 15 second intervals between the referee’s whistle and the serve.

Except the deciding fifth set, which has no rule changes, every other set would be won by the team which gets to 21 points first, with a minimum lead of two points. As is customary, in the eventuality of a tie at 20-20, play would continue until one of the two teams establishes a two-point lead.

The time-outs will also be subsequently changed. There will be an automatic “Technical Time-Out” which will be called when the  team leading in the set reaches 12 points as against two time-outs previously on the 8th and 16th points.

FIVB has said that the rule changes are being tested with an eye on modernising the game and making it more appealing to fans.