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Golden Formula
| In 2009, the FIVB trialled “Golden Formula” at its Men’s Club World Championship in Doha, Qatar. Under Golden Formula, the first attack must be from back court. Although this was a first test for FIVB, the Golden Formula has been used successfully for a number of years in Qatar. |  |
| So what’s the point? As exciting as volleyball is, rallies can be short. Statistics taken at the World League finals in 2005 showed that almost 80% of rallies ended following serve and first attack. This means that volleyball games are typically about 20% rally against 80% non-play (recycling for next serve, timeouts, etc). Research and anecdotal evidence suggests that crowds enjoy long rallies as these build up a sense of excitement and provide a real opportunity to see the dynamism, power and deftness of today’s volleyball players. Much thought has been given to ways in which the game’s offensive dominance can be countered; leading to the now established libero defensive specialist. Explain Again Under Golden Formula, the team receiving a serve must first attack from back court, ie players jumping from behind the 3m line. All players, except the libero, will be able to attack so there is no particular issue when setter and libero are at back court positions as the remaining four players are all available to attack. For audiences, there is unlikely to be a disadvantage as the rule does not introduce a significant restriction. Hussein Imam Ali, advocate of the change and FIVB Coaches Commission member, argues that this change helps to reduce the offensive advantage in modern volleyball by giving defensive players a little more time to defend an attack. Although backcourt attacks (seen often in domestic and international matches) are frequently struck from well inside the 3m line such attacks are lower the closer they are to the net. Back court attackers tend to re-shape their jumps, sacrificing jump height for horizontal travel. If Golden Formula is introduced, players will need to familiarise themselves with a new set of plays, there will be different defensive formations and officials may need to be re-positioned (perhaps permanent 3m line officials). Golden Formula for England? Golden Formula is still being considered by FIVB but perhaps it’s time to try it in the English National League. Let us know what you think by voting in the Golden Formula box at the right of this page. Want to know more? For more information, go to the Golden Formula web site. |
