Volleyball Misconduct Penalty
Volleyball has many rules and nuances specific to the sport itself. If a player finds themselves in violation of these rules, they are subject to a misconduct penalty. The penalty varies in severity based on the respective player's action and is signaled by the referee showing either a yellow or red card. Read on to learn more about the misconduct penalty in volleyball.
Definition
The misconduct penalty in volleyball is ambiguously worded in most handbooks and is up to the referee’s discretion. Typical actions that warrant a misconduct penalty are rude conduct contrary to good manners or moral principles, offensive conduct such as derogatory or insulting words, gestures, or any action expressing contempt for an official or fellow player.
More serious acts of misconduct typically include actions of aggression through physical attacks or continuous aggressive and threatening behavior. Still, misconduct penalties are mainly used to prevent unsportsmanlike conduct, take injuries and fighting out of the game, and help maintain the game's spirit across all levels of competition.
According to the USA Volleyball official rulebook, misconduct penalties are split into minor and major penalties, depending on the severity of the action in question. Minor penalties such as messing with the net or ball and acting in a rude manner towards the opponent do not result in sanctions. If a minor misconduct penalty is observed, that player's team captain is given a verbal warning. If no change is made, a formal final notice is signaled by issuing a yellow card.
Significant acts of misconduct such as aggressive actions or violence against an opponent will result in a red card. Repeated acts of minor penalties after receiving warnings can also result in a red card. Red cards result in the penalized team losing both the service and a point to their opponent.
Result
The misconduct penalty results in either a yellow card or red card. If a minor act of misconduct has been performed, a warning or yellow card is given to the guilty party. If actions continue or are deemed a major show of misconduct, a red card is given to the offending player's team, and a point is revoked from their score. Expulsion and disqualification for the remainder of the match or future contests are also possible. This result is the same across all leagues and levels of play.
Referee Signal
If a referee decides to call a misconduct penalty, a verbal warning is given to that player. A yellow card is presented to the offending player's team if actions continue. When further escalated, a red card is given to the whole team, and a point is taken away from the offending player's team. If both cards are presented simultaneously, that player could be expelled from the remainder of the match or even be disqualified for future matches based on the severity of the penalty.
Examples
- A player is frustrated with the out-of-bounds call by the line judge and yells obscenities towards him or the opposing team.
- A player is targeting another player verbally for his poor play and continues to show unsportsmanlike behavior.
- One player chooses to vent their frustration by physically attacking or injuring another teammate, coach, or referee.
- After a dead ball following a point being scored against their team, a player decides to throw or kick the ball in the stands as a sign of frustration.
Helpful Links
Similar Penalties to Misconduct Penalty
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- Game Delay Penalty
- Illegal Substitution
FAQ
What is a misconduct penalty in volleyball?
In volleyball, a misconduct penalty encompasses numerous unethical actions and is judged based on severity. Minor misconduct penalties typically refer to activities such as showing excessive excitement about winning a point targeted towards the opposing team, numerous arguments with the referee or opponents, and slowing down the game. Significant acts of misconduct include verbally or physically threatening an opponent and aggressive or continuous unsportsmanlike behavior.
What are the consequences of being called for a misconduct penalty in volleyball?
The consequences for receiving a misconduct penalty vary depending on if it's a minor or major penalty. If it's a minor act, a player is given a verbal warning and presented with a yellow card. No immediate penalty is given other than the card being recorded in the stat sheet. If the player continues, a red card is given to that player's entire team, resulting in a point being taken away. When both cards are presented simultaneously, the player may be disqualified from the match and suspended from future play.
Does misconduct result in a yellow or red card?
Both yellow cards and red cards can be used for misconduct penalties in volleyball based on the severity of the misconduct. In volleyball, a yellow card is reserved for minor acts of misconduct and serves as a warning to the player in question, and no action is taken against them. Conversely, a red card is given for extreme misconduct by a player, which results in the entire team receiving a red card, recorded in the box score. There is also a loss of service and a point revoked for the red card.