Goodbye double-touch whistles: how amateur setting is changing

Fewer interruptions and more play: the setting breakthrough

Anyone who has played a game of volleyball or beach volleyball in the local park or in a summer tournament knows the frustration of the whistle for a "double touch". That moment when the setter sets up the play and the referee interrupts the game for a minor imperfection, sparking endless protests between the teams. The rule trial introduced by the FIVB for the 2026 season aims to eliminate this very obstacle, decriminalising double contact when setting, provided the ball remains on your own side of the court.

This change is not just a simplification for referees, but represents a true liberation for those playing at amateur level. Matches become more fluid, defenders do not have to fear being penalised for an imprecise control, and the play continues without the classic arguments under the net. Alongside this rule, the trial also provides for greater freedom of movement for receiving players before the serve and an increase in the allowed substitutions per set, which go from six to eight.

What actually changes on the court

To understand the impact of this breakthrough, we must look at how a typical play develops on sand or indoor courts. In classic summer two-on-two beach volleyball matches, played on a regulation 16x8 metres court, or in six-on-six indoor matches on the traditional 18x9 metres court, setting is the focal point of the build-up.

In amateur matches, the typical error is almost never an intentional double-touch fault, but rather the consequence of incorrect body positioning or arriving late under the ball. With the new setup, if your set is not perfect but the ball remains on your side to be attacked, play continues. On the other hand, the standard scoring limits remain unchanged: in beach volleyball, you play to reach 21 points, while indoors the target is 25 points (in both cases with a two-point lead), and any tie-break is played to 15 points.

The most common mistake of amateur setters

Despite the decriminalisation of the double touch, setting technique remains fundamental to sending teammates to spike in optimal conditions. The most frequent mistake seen in amateur tournaments concerns the position of the hands and legs during the set.

• The typical mistake: Many players approach the set keeping their legs completely straight and their arms stiff, hitting the ball only with the strength of their wrists instead of guiding it with the whole body. This causes imprecise trajectories and makes it difficult to control the ball.
• How to correct it: To correct this flaw, you must move early to find yourself exactly under the falling trajectory of the ball. The knees must be slightly bent to push upwards, while the hands must form a "window" above the forehead, receiving the ball with the fingertips and not with the palms.
• Reference measurements: In official six-a-side tournaments, the net is set at a height of 2.43 metres for men and 2.24 metres for women. For mixed leagues or youth categories, the net height and court dimensions vary, and the specific value must always be checked in the regulations of the individual event.

Preparing for the next season in amateur tournaments

With the end of summer, fans' attention gradually shifts from outdoor courts to sports halls. For those who want to continue having fun during the winter, this is the perfect time to get organised. For example, registrations for the amateur championships organised by UISP for the 2026/2027 season officially close on 15 September 2026, with matches scheduled to start in October.

Established groups are already moving to complete their rosters before the deadline. Just look at Silver Wolf, a mixed team from San Casciano in Val di Pesa which is currently actively seeking new players, specifically two women for the outside hitter or opposite position and one man for the middle blocker position. As for the characteristics of the courts and the requirements of the sports facilities, such as the minimum ceiling height of the sports halls, each committee applies its own guidelines, so every structural detail must be checked in the official regulations of the event you are registering for.

If you have a group of friends and want to organise your summer challenges on the sand or plan your next training sessions ahead of the autumn tournaments, the VolleyFriends app allows you to manage call-ups, find players to complete your team, and keep track of scores in a simple and immediate way.