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In volleyball, what is it called when the wrong player serves, out of rotation order?

A rotational fault.

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  1. A double fault
  2. A rotational fault ✔
  3. A foot fault

Why: Players must serve in their rotation order. If the wrong player serves, it is a rotational fault, the other team gets a point, and the order is corrected.

Huh, didn't know that: The referee signals both positional and rotational faults by making a circle with a forefinger.

The dad joke
Why did the wrong player serve? They just got their wires spun.
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References

Answer: A rotational fault. Players must serve in their rotation order. If the wrong player serves, it is a rotational fault, the other team gets a point, and the order is corrected.

  1. FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 7.7.1 www.fivb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FIVB-Volleyball_Rules2025_2028-EN-v05.pdf
    A rotational fault is committed when the SERVICE is not made according to the rotational order.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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