The new block touch rule will be tested at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event in Qinzhou, China.

Lausanne, Switzerland, September 15, 2017 – A new block touch rule will be tested as the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour resumes in Qinzhou, China from October 11 to 15. The rule to be tested allows three touches after a block like in indoor volleyball where the block does not count as one of the three hits allowed to a team to return the ball.The test aims to identify the effects of modifying the block touch rule in beach volleyball. Analysis will focus on the new rule’s effect on rally length. Its impact on making the sport even more spectacular will also be examined as part of the FIVB’s ongoing efforts to ensure the continued growth of the sport worldwide.The test phase will continue until February 25, 2018. The data retrieved will be compared with information collected at the 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in the Netherlands. In addition to the data collected, a survey involving athletes, coaches, officials, referees, event organisers and the media will gather further information. The results will be analysed by the FIVB Beach Volleyball Commission and presented to the FIVB Board of Administration.The event in Qinzhou, China is the second stop in a new season of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, following the men’s-only tournament in Montpellier, France at the beginning of September. It will be followed by tournaments in Aalsmeer, Netherlands from October 25 to 29 and in Sydney, Australia from November 22 to 26.