How Volleyball Antenna Faults Work Explainer
The two red-and-white antennas attached to a volleyball net mark the sides of the legal crossing space. A ball sent to the opponent must pass over the net between them, including their imaginary upward extensions. A ball that touches an antenna is out and the rally ends.
A ball is also out when it crosses the net completely outside that space. Line judges watch the antennas and the ball's path, while the first referee can rule on contacts near the net. The antennas make a three-dimensional boundary rather than serving as simple decoration.
A team may sometimes chase its first contact outside the antenna on its own side and return the ball through the external space on the same side, provided the rules' conditions are met. It may not use that route to send the ball normally into the opponent's court.
Player contact with the antenna during the action of playing the ball is a fault. Touching parts of the net or supports outside the antenna is not automatically illegal unless it interferes with play. Officials therefore distinguish the antenna itself, the legal crossing space, and harmless contact beyond it.
The sides of the legal space through which the ball crosses the net.
Yes.
No. Contact outside may be legal if it does not interfere with play.
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