Adoption and commencement

The 39th FIVB World Congress approved this edition in 2024. The recorded date, 2025-01-01, is its implementation threshold: the book specifies competitions beginning after 1 January 2025. It is not an announcement date or a universal mid-season switchover. FIVB implementation statement, printed page 1.

Before and after

Example: at service contact, the serving team’s position-5 player stands wholly nearer the net than its position-4 player. Under the old feet-based test, that arrangement was a positional fault. See 2021–2024 Rules 7.4.3.1 and 7.5. Under the new rule, that arrangement alone is permitted. Service order, screening restrictions and back-row attack/block limits still apply. 2025–2028 Rules 7.4, 7.6–7.7, 12.5, 13.3.3 and 14.1.1.

Who this record covers

For players, coaches, officials and spectators using the identified FIVB edition. This records a 2025 change, not a newly announced 2026 change. NCAA, NFHS, domestic and youth adaptations, competition trials, and early or delayed implementation require separate verification. No competition-specific implementation date is asserted here.

For practical positioning guidance, see rotation and overlap.

Official editions

Change status

Confirmed change

Effective from:

Before and after

Before and after
Situation FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2021–2024 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball under this FIVB edition; historical comparison.FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball under this edition; competition-start qualification applies.
Serving-team positions at service contactBoth teams had to maintain rotational positioning within their own court at service contact, except the server. Relative positions were assessed using the feet under Rule 7.4.3.Only receivers must maintain rotational positioning. Serving teammates may arrange themselves freely within their court; the server remains excepted from the court requirement.

Rule editions and sources