receiving the serve

Question
Is it a rule that the first hit of a served ball must be a bump?

Answer
Good afternoon and welcome to www.allexperts.com!

The first hit of a served ball can be a number of things!

a) It can be a bump.  In fact it needs to be a bump, if the ball is served at waist height or below.  

b) It can be a hand pass.  We encourage players these days to use their hands on any ball that's at chest level or higher.  

Sure, the pass may look sloppy, but for about the past 7 or 8 years, a multiple contact on the first contact is legal.  What's not legal on the first contact?  A lift, which is illegal on any contact.  So, if a passer throws the first contact, the referee will call it an illegal lift.

c) It can be poked, knuckled, beach dug, one-armed or tomahawked.  No problem.  No control, haha, but no problem!  

d) It can be spiked!  YES, it can........as long as the ball isn't above the top of the net when the ball is contacted by the spiker.  So, I'm telling you, that when a served ball comes over the net and then drops below the level of the net, the passer can wind up and hit it right back over.  

e) I can NOT be blocked.  No, a serve cannot be intercepted at the top of the net and sent back to the opponents. This rule is similar to the spike rule:  If the ball is above the top of the net when returned to the serving team, that's an illegal hit.

I hope that answers your question.  But if not, please follow up!

Have a great day and please visit me at www.coachhouser.com!  I think you'll like the smiling faces!