Official Rules
IRF Ruleset Translation Policy: To empower our National Governing Bodies to reach a wider audience, we encourage NGBs to translate the IRF Ruleset into your primary language. The translation must be identical to the IRF Ruleset in English. Any discrepancies occurring from translations shall refer to the official IRF Rules posted here. The official English IRF Ruleset must be referenced or linked in NGB translation documents.
Propose a rule or observing guideline change here:
Change Log:
Updated October 17, 2025
Updated June 12, 2024
Updated August 10, 2022
Carries
Old IRF Rule:
4.4.6. Serves must be struck. The ball cannot be caught or thrown.
5.3.2. The ball must not be caught and/or thrown. It can rebound in any direction.
5.3.2.1. Common examples of violations include but are not limited to: 1) a player
diving for a ball beyond their reach and cradling it over their shoulder versus
cleanly striking the ball, 2) a player getting beat wide on a serve and hooking
their fingers around the ball to redirect its exit angle, 3) a player fielding a drop
shot and lifting the ball versus hitting it, 4) the ball getting stuck in a player’s hand
(or elsewhere on their body) versus cleanly rebounding off the player.
Approved Change:
4.4.6. In the act of serving, the ball must not be caught.
4.4.6.1. A catch happens when the ball comes to rest on any part of the player
5.3.2. The ball must not be caught.
5.3.2.1. A catch happens when the ball comes to rest on any part of the player.
High on serve
Old IRF Rule:
4.6.9. Every part of the ball is over the highest point of the receiver’s shoulders when they contact the ball or when the ball passes them.
Approved Change:
4.6.9. Every part of the ball is over the highest point of the receiver’s shoulders at any point from when the ball contacts the net to when the ball passes them.
Initial Rules Adopted October 21, 2021