Captains and coaches
FIVB · 2025–2028The game captain’s communication role and the coach’s authority over the team.
Rule 5 — The game captain
The captain and coach are responsible for team conduct and discipline. A Libero may be team captain or game captain. The team captain represents the team at the toss and signs the score sheet. If that captain is off court, another on-court player is appointed game captain until replaced, the captain returns or the set ends.
While the ball is out of play, only the game captain may ask referees to explain the rules, relay teammates’ questions, or request checks of positions and equipment. To preserve a formal protest about rule application or interpretation, the captain must immediately notify the first referee and record it on the score sheet after the match. This is not a general right to dispute every judgment.
Rule 5 — Coaching and requests
The coach checks the roster, submits the starting line-up before each set, chooses substitutions and requests time-outs. For these functions, the coach deals with the second referee. Instructions may be given from the permitted bench-side area without disturbing play, delaying the match or obstructing line judges.
An assistant normally cannot intervene. If the coach leaves for a reason other than entering as a player, an assistant may take over after confirmation to the referee by the game captain. When no coach or acting assistant is available, the game captain may request time-outs and substitutions.
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