Rules of Engagement: Part the Third

It's time for installation #3 of our official mockery of the history of rule changes in volleyball. There have been zillions of changes, and we'd like to make fun of each one, as well as tie them in to American society at the time. These are actual rule changes that have been made to the game.

The Serve Toss - During the late '60s - early '70s, volleyball couldn't make up its mind about the serve toss. In 1968, servers had to toss the ball in the air before serving. But a scant two years later, the powers that be decided no, you don't have to toss the ball in the air. Then finally, in 1976, the ball had "be released" before it was served. Is there something we're missing here? Is there a deadly ball-in-hand serve that we don't know about? Or were people just bored and thought,

"You know that ball toss rule? Let's change that."

"Why?"

"I dunno. I've got nothin' else."

1974 - Antennae were added on the net, one ball's width outside the sidelines: This rule came about because volleyball wanted to capitalize on the CB radio craze of the '70s. Rule makers thought that by adding antennae they could attract the young hip crowd they so desperately sought. "Convoy" became a hit song two years later.

1994 - Prosthetic limbs may be worn if the referee determines the player will gain no artificial advantage: Mick Haley is the first to try and gain that artificial advantage, as he attaches two extra arms to his middle blockers. When officials claim the prosthetics are illegal, Haley stands with his hands out at his sides, looks around confused and plaintively cries "Whaaat?"