Volleyball features constant player movement as the teams serve, receive the serve, pass, set, attack and defend. But after each point, the teams must take the time to align properly for the serve. If they don't, the referee may call an overlapping violation, which is a "players out of alignment fault." Overlapping may be called on both the serving team and the receiving team.
Volleyball Alignment
There are six positions on the volleyball court. Position 1 is right back. Position 2 is right front. Position 3 is middle front. Position 4 is left front. Position 5 is left back. Position 6 is middle back. At the point of service, these players must be aligned properly. The front-row players must position themselves closer to the center line than the corresponding back-row players. Players in each row must align in order. Within this framework, teams may use a variety of serve-receive formations. For instance, the left back player can be closer to the center line than the middle front player. But the left back player may not be closer to the center line than the left front player. And the middle front player must be closer to the center line than the middle back player.
Row Position Faults
At the point of service, players must not infringe on another player's position. According to USA Volleyball 2010-11 Rule Book, each right-side player in a row must have at least part of a foot closer to right sideline than the center player in that row. Each left-side player in a row must have at least part of a foot closer to the left sideline than the center player in that row. Violating this rule results in a fault.
Back Row/Front Row Faults
An overlapping violation also can occur between corresponding back-row and front-row players at the point to service. For instance, the right front player must have a foot touching the court closer to the center line than either foot of the right back player. The same applies for players in the center and left positions.
Punishment
When the receiving team is called for overlapping, the serving team is awarded a point. When the serving team is called for overlapping, the receiving team is awarded a point and the ball.
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