After 20 years.... WOW the rules have changed!

Question
Dear Tom,
I used to play volley Ball while I was in college- thats nearly 20 years ago. Of late, I have started playing again to stay fit. The problem now is that a lot of rules have changed- including the point system. I have a couple of doubts- one is about ball grazing the net while serving, is it considered as a fair ball? Then, the kids I play with keeps on kicking the ball every now and then (which is very irritating in the first place)and the good old volleyball now looks more like that foot-volley, which the Malaysians introduced. Is it ok to kick the ball? And, if the service lands on the line, is it a right ball? Waiting to hear from you.

Answer
Good morning and welcome to www.allexperts.com!
In the past 20 years, yes a lot of rules have changed.  But most are still the same.
a) In USAV and FIVB, contact the below the waist has always been legal.  If you played high school ball under the National Federation rules, it was illegal. More and more players in this day will stick out a foot, thinking it's a really cool play, rather than get on their stomach with their thumbs together and pass it up.  I tell my players, "Using a foot is just like using 1 arm to play a ball.  It works about 10% of the time. As soon as you get comfortable on your stomach, you will make 50% of the plays."
b) I believe "let" serves are now legal everything.  I'm sure there are still some pockets of people in leagues, or communities that don't allow it.  
c) Something you didn't mention is "slopping" the first contact.  The rule books call it "Doubling the first contact."  Whatever.  I've been coaching club every year since this rule changed, and I haven't seen 10 lifts called on 1st contact.  Like (b), I'm sure there are certain groups/leagues that don't allow it, but this is a major changed from 20 years ago.
d) Yes, a serve (or any contact) that lands on the opponents line is in.  
e) One more thing:  You didn't mention being in the net.  That has changed in some rule books.  In National Federation (I ref in the USA using the NF rule book, so I have to know this), any contact with the net is illegal. However, in the USAV rulebook (and I imagine the FIVB), the ONLY net violation that's illegal is along the TOP of the net during an attack! Can you believe that?  So there is NO net call EVER for a setter, unless he/she is front row, and she's trying to attack.  And if a blocker catches the bottom of net with his/her fingers as he/she is preparing to block, no whistle.  It's ..... different!  :)  

But, it's still 3 hits, it's still a block doesn't count as a hit, you still can't block a serve, you still cannot serve by hitting the ball with two hands haha (ever tried that?), etc.  Most of the rules are the same.  And after you get used to them, you'll have the same fun as you used to have.  Even more fun, if you can find someone to play with who's your own age!  :)

What else can I do for you?
I hope you have a wonderful week.  
When you have a moment, please visit us at www.coachhouser.com!  I think you'll really enjoy all the free downloads and the smiling faces!
Coach Houser

p.s.  My wife and I are in the mountains of the eastern USA for a week vacation.  Today we go to tour the mansion of a very very wealthy family, the Vanderbilts.  The name of the house is the Biltmore House, and it was built in the late 1800's.  If you google it, you'll say, "WHOA!!!!"