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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/vb-overlap-feet

For the receiving team, what decides a player's position when checking for an overlap?

Their feet touching the floor.

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  1. Their feet on the floor ✔
  2. Their shoulders
  3. Where their hands are

Why: FIVB judges receiving-team positions by where each player's feet last touched the floor. Shoulders, hands and leaning do not decide an overlap.

Huh, didn't know that: At the service hit, the serving team may occupy any position, but the correct player must still serve.

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Why do volleyball refs watch your feet? They want to keep you on your toes.
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References

Answer: Their feet on the floor. FIVB judges receiving-team positions by where each player's feet last touched the floor. Shoulders, hands and leaning do not decide an overlap.

  1. FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 7.4 www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FIVB-Volleyball_Rules2025_2028-EN-v05.pdf
    The players of the receiving team must be in the rotational order at the service hit.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 7.4.3 www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FIVB-Volleyball_Rules2025_2028-EN-v05.pdf
    The positions of players are determined and controlled according to the positions of their feet contacting the ground
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  3. FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 7.4 www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FIVB-Volleyball_Rules2025_2028-EN-v05.pdf
    The players of the serving team, however, are free to occupy any position at the service hit.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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