GB2167308A - Volleyball rotation indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

A volleyball rotation indicator comprises two plastic discs mounted on a common axis, 9 so that each may be rotated, independently of the other by a controlled hand movement. Each disc is a hexagon with viewing holes 1 through which field position numbers 10 may be viewed on the other disc. When the discs are turned over similar field position numbers 10 may be viewed through the viewing holes 1 of the other disc. By writing relevant information on each disc control may be exercised over the rotation of players during a game, notwithstanding substitutes and time-outs, or positional changes during the course of play. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Volleyball rotation indicator This invention relates to a volleyball rotation indicator.

Volleyball is a sport played by two teams, each of six players with up to six additional substitutes each, on a playing surface, or court, approximately 18 metres long and 9 metres wide. Half way along the court, and dividing it into two equal halves, is the centre line, above which is suspended a net, approximately 1 metre deep and 9.5 metres across.

The distance from the top of the net to the playing surface is between 2.24 metres and 2.43 metres at the centre of the court. The playing ball is spherical with an outer covering of soft leather, weighing approximately 270 grams and having a circumference of 65-67 centimetres.

Team numbers, 8 centimetres high, must be worn by each team member, both players and substitutes, on the chest and back. These numbers identify the team member only and do not denote any fixed position on the field of play.

A match is played to the best of three or five "sets" and is normally under the control of a panel of officials consisting of first referee, second referee, scorer and 2 linesmen. In addition each team is usually supervised by its own coach who is responsible for team discipline, tactics, team talks including 2 permitted "time-outs" in each set, and substitution of players. On court a team captain is responsible for controlling the players of each team and is the only person on each side allowed to deal directly with the referees.

To start the game or to re-start the game at any time the ball is put into play be means of a "serve". The team who "serves" are said to be the "serving" team and their opponents are the "receiving" team. If the receiving team admit a fault in play then the serving team score one point. If the serving team commit a fault in play they lose the service to their opponents who then become the "serving" team in their stead.

At the time that the ball is put into play, both teams must occupy set positions as provided for the game's rules and numbered from 1 to 6. Positions 4, 3 and 2 the "attack" line are in a rough line from left to right, closest to the net, and positions 5, 6 and 1, the "Back" line, are in a similar line from left to right, behind them. As soon as the ball has been served players may cover any part of their own court but there are certain restrictions, imposed by the rules, on back line players during play. Substitutes and coaches must keep their places at the side of the opposing court, facing the referee.

At every time that the "serve" passes to the opposing team, other than at the start of a new set, before putting the ball into play, the serving team must rotate one place clockwise i.e. the former server moves from position 1 to position 6; 6 moves to 5; 5 to 4, etc.

Any player beginning a set may be replaced by a substitute only once in that set. If the substituted player re-enters the set it may only be to the rotational position previously occupied and the substitute leaving the game may not re-enter it during the same set.

Whenever a team is found to have an error in the rotational order of its players, play must be stopped and the correct order of rotation resumed. Furthermore, all points made by the team at fault, whilst in the incorrect order of rotation, must be cancelled. All points scored by their apponents are retained.

For the above reasons it is most important for officials and team coaches to maintain strict control of the rotation order of both teams.

Before a game both teams will present to the scorer a compiete list of players and substitutes together with the rotation order.

These details will then be entered on the official match sheet. At the end of each set, but before the start of a new set, the rotation order of a team may be changed, provided the details are indicated on the match set.

During the progress of each set up to six substitutes are allowed for each team.

It therefore becomes very difficult for officials and team coaches, relying entirely on memory, to decide where each player's position should be, and whether or not a positional infringement has occured.

According to the present invention there is provided a volleyball rotation indicator, that is to say an aide memoire, comprising two small plastic discs, mounted on a common axis, so that each may be rotated, independently of each other, by a controlled hand movement.

Each disc is a hexagon with viewing holes drilled in each of 6 equal segments, through which the numbers "1-6"- can be viewed on the disc below. If the discs are then turned over the numbers 1-6 can be viewed from the other side. Certain relevant information is pre-printed on each disc, but there is room for additional information to be hand-written on, using an ordinary pencil or chinagraph. Such additional information may be easily removed by rubbing with a moistened finger or cloth.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: By way of identification the discs are described as Disc A and Disc B.

Figure 1 shows discs un-mounted and displaying uppermost the side normally on view.

Figures 2 shows disc A or B un-mounted and displaying uppermost the side not normally in full view.

Figure 3 shows a sideways view of the discs mounted together.

Figure 4 shows the discs mounted together with disc A displayed uppermost in the normal viewing position.

Figure 5 shows the discs mounted together with disc B displayed uppermost in the normal viewing position.

Referring to the drawings the indicator comprises two discs, A and B mounted on a common axis 9. Each disc is divided into 6 equal segments by printed straight lines 2 and disc B is further divided by a circular line 3.

Other markings on each disc are the box marked "S" at 4, and the twin boxes marked "TO" at 8.

As either disc is rotated the printed numbers "1-6" at 10 come into view through the viewing holes 1. Below the printed number "1'' in each disc a "v" notch has been cut into the edge of each disc 7.

At the start of each set the discs are positioned with the "v" notches 7 together and with disc A uppermost. In this position the numbers "1-6" at 10 appear in the viewing holes 1, proceeding in an anti-clockwise direction and starting from the hole 1 immediately above the notch 7. With disc B uppermost the numbers "1-6" at 10 appear in similar order, starting from the hole 1 above the notch 7. These numbers represent the actual playing positions 1-6 on the field of play.

Details of the serving team may now be entered on disc A from the match sheet, each player's team number being handwritten in the spaces provided at 5. The discs are then turned over and the receiving team details entered on disc B, this time in the spaces provided within the inner circle at 6. The same team numbers will be brought down and entered within the next immediate segment, in a clockwise direction, in the space available at 5. The rotation order of the players of both teams is now fixed and ready for play to commence.

At all times the correct numbers of the players of each position on disc A will be as entered in the spaces at 5. In respect of the team on disc B, team numbers will be shown for receiving at spaces 6 and for serving at spaces 5.

Having started the set with the position of the discs as described above, with the notches 7 together and disc A uppermost, When the service passes to the opposing team the positions of the discs are reversed with disc B uppermost. On passing the serve back to the team on disc A however, not only are the disc positions reversed, but disc A is rotated one position in a clockwise direction.

As and when substitutes are entered into the game, the appropriate team number may be entered in the hexagon box marked 'S' at 4, in the segment of the player being replaced. Each time a "time-out" is called a tick "v" may be entered in one of the boxes "TO" at 8, on the disc representing the team who requested it.

Claims (6)

1. A volleyball indicator, that is to say an aide memoire, comprising two small plastic discs, mounted on a common axis so that each may be rotated, independently of the other by a controlled hand movement.

2. A volleyball rotation indicator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each disc is a hexagon with viewing holes drilled in each of 6 equal segments, through which the printed numbers "1-6", representing the volleyball court positions 1-6, can be viewed on the disc below.

If the discs are then turned over another set of printed numbers "1-6" can be viewed from the other side.

3. A volleyball rotation indicator as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the segments are defined by printed straight lines and one disc is further divided by a printed circular line.

4. A volleyball rotation indicator as claimed in Claim 3 wherein further additional markings are printed to indicate spaces for writing in details of substitutes and time-outs.

5. A volleyball rotation indicator as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein a "v" notch is cut on the edge of each disc directly below position '' "1".

6. A volleyball rotation indicator substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.