14 BALL AT NET

14.1 BALL CROSSING THE NET
14.1.1 The ball sent to the opponent’s court must go over the net within the crossing space
(Diagram 3). The crossing space is the part of the vertical plane of the net limited as follows:
a) below, by the top of the net,
b) at the sides, by the antennae and their imaginary extension,
c) above, by a ceiling or structure (if any).
Official Beach Volleyball Rules 17
14.1.2 The ball that has crossed the vertical plane of the net to the opponent’s free zone (Rule
15) totally or partly outside of the crossing space, may be played back within the team
hits provided that:
• The ball when played back crosses the vertical plane of the net again outside, or partly
outside, the crossing space on the same side of the court.
The opposing team may not prevent such action.
14.1.3 The ball is “out” when it crosses completely the lower space under the net (Diagram 3).
14.1.4 A player, however, may enter the opponents’ court in order to play the ball before it
crosses completely the lower space or passes outside the crossing space (Rule 15.2).
14.2 BALL TOUCHING THE NET
While crossing the net (Rule 14.1.1 above), the ball may touch the net.
14.3 BALL IN THE NET
14.3.1 A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the three team hits.
14.3.2 If the ball rips the mesh of the net or tears it down, the rally is cancelled and replayed.