What constitutes a double contact in volleyball?

Full Explanation

Per FIVB Rule 9.1.1, a player may not hit the ball two times consecutively, and per FIVB Rule 9.3.4 a double contact is a player hitting the ball twice in succession or the ball contacting various parts of the body in succession. The ball may touch several parts of the body at once, provided the contacts are simultaneous (FIVB Rule 9.2.3). Consecutive contacts are allowed in two cases, provided they occur during one action: at blocking (FIVB Rule 9.2.3.1), and on the team's first hit (FIVB Rule 9.2.3.2), which covers service reception, receiving an attack, and playing a ball that rebounds off a block. For example, on the first hit, a hard-driven attack that glances off a defender's forearm and then the chest in one action is legal. Under FIVB rules, on the second or third hit, a ball that bounces off the forearm and then the hands, or a set where the hands contact the ball at different times, is a double contact. USAV, NCAA and NFHS rules are more lenient on the team's second hit: successive contacts during one attempt to play the ball are not a fault as long as the ball is next contacted by a teammate. On the third team hit, successive contacts are a fault under all rulesets.

Rulesets covered: FIVB/USAV/NFHS/NCAA  |  Rule Reference: FIVB Rule 9.1.1; FIVB Rule 9.2.3; FIVB Rule 9.3.4; USAV Rule 9.2.3.2; NCAA Rule 14.2.3; NFHS Rule 9-4-8c