Law 16: Game Delays

A delay is an improper action by a team that defers the resumption of the game.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1 · recall

Asking for an illegal substitution is one of the listed delays.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1.3 · recall

Prolonging an interruption after being instructed to resume is a delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1.2 · applied

One improper request is forgiven with a note on the score sheet; the next one is sanctioned.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1.4, 15.11.3 · recall

Delaying the game by any team member is listed as a delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1.5 · recall

Cheering is allowed, but if the huddle is used to delay the game consistently the team is sanctioned for delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1.2, 16.1.5; Casebook 2024 4.39 · applied

Mopping requests are the 1st referee's call, and obvious stalling may be sanctioned as a delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2; Casebook 2024 4.40 · applied

Staying in a huddle after being told to resume prolongs the interruption; the others are proper or only an improper request.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.1, 15.11.2 · applied

Ranking: a proper request costs nothing, a first wrong one is noted, a repeat holds up play.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 15.11, 16.1.4 · applied

Leaving needs the referees' permission; the team is reminded so as not to be in default and is then sanctioned for delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2; Casebook 2024 4.41 · applied

Both delay sanctions are imposed on the team as a whole.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.1 · recall

Delay sanctions remain in force for the entire match.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.1.1 · recall

The first delay by a team member in the match brings a delay warning.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.2 · recall

Second and later delays are faults sanctioned with a delay penalty, a point and service to the opponents.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.3 · recall

Delays are counted per team: the second delay of any type by any member is a delay penalty.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.3 · applied

Delay sanctions imposed before or between sets are applied in the following set.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.4 · recall

All delay sanctions are recorded on the score sheet.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.1.2 · recall

The set-1 warning stays in force for the match, so a further delay in set 3 is a delay penalty.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.1.1, 16.2.3 · applied

Only the first delay earns a warning; every later delay is a penalty.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.2, 16.2.3 · recall

A sanction given between sets is recorded and applied in the following set.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 16.2.1.2, 16.2.4 · applied