Volleyball's Double Contact Rule is Changing: Why and How

In volleyball, the 'double contact' fault on the second contact or set is enforced most strictly. On February 20, 2026, the NCAA Women's Volleyball Committee relaxed this rule, but with a specific condition: two touches are legal if the ball is played to a teammate, but it remains a fault if it crosses the net. The primary goal of this change was to eliminate inconsistent refereeing, as different teams were calling double contact faults differently in the same game. However, this does not align with FIVB international rules. Under FIVB regulations, a double contact on the second touch is still a clear fault, not just a single playing action. This means players trained in the NCAA may lose points for the same action in international matches, creating a skill disconnect. Additionally, this relaxed rule is not adopted in junior leagues, meaning youth players face stricter standards. While setters claim this rule devalues their craft, experienced coaches still emphasize teaching 'clean sets.' Even though the rule has changed, the best set for hitters remains the same, so the impact on gameplay is minimal, but the effect on refereeing consistency is significant.