The block rule in Beach Volleyball needs changing. Other than confusion over the way referees interpret the setting in a game the directed block has to be the next worst thing to watch in a beach volleyball game. We religiously rule against any open handed tip or attack set that isn't in line with the shoulders etc etc but then a blocker can slam dunk the ball or catch and direct it to the far back corner and its legal?! Absolutely bonkers that this is still happening in our game. Another indoor rule being brought to the beach game that just doesn't make any sense. Not only does it look terrible but in a game where defence is already at a major disadvantage to the attack compared to indoor volleyball we just make it even easier for the attack.
But lets also look at our existing rules and we can see that with a small adjustment to the interpretation (I would suggest the correct interpretation to the existing rule) we can actually eliminate this ugly part of the game. The existing rules are very clear over what is and isn't legal for an "attack hit". The block is not considered an attack hit which allows for the catch and slam or directional blocking anomaly. However if we understand the actual definition we see that a "block" in volleyball terms is part of the body put in the way of the ball and that the ball subsequently deflects off. Deflection versus direction. As soon as there is direction applied by the blocker it no longer fits the interpretation of the word "block". At this point it becomes an attack hit and we already have rules defining what is and isn't legal for an attack hit.
So we only need to call a block a block and a hit a hit and we solve the problem. Simple.
Any direction applied to the ball going over the net is an attack hit.
Any deflection of the ball going over the net is a block.
= a block can never be directed.
= an attack hit can not be directed with the fingers or caught or held in the hands.
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