7.1 Misconduct sanctions

After a verbal warning for (minor) misconduct, the next level of warning is a yellow card'. This is issued against a particular player or official, but counts as a warning for the whole team. The next sanction for (minor) misconduct can then only be a red card (or more).

Impor­tant

No warning has to be issued before a sanction.

Players who are suspended or disqualified must be substituted. While a suspended player must go to the locker room for the rest of the set, a disqualified player must go to the locker room for the rest of the match.

Marked­sentence

A yellow card can only be given once per match and team.


It is up to the referee to decide when warning or sanctions for any misconduct are issued. However, the following table can serve as a guide. Unsportsmanlike conduct and aggressive behavior should, in any case, be sanctioned accordingly.

Type Occurrence Person Sanction Card(s) Consequence
misconduct first time any team member penalty red card point/service to the opponent
misconduct second time the same team member expulsion yellow/red card in one hand sub., must go to the locker room for the rest of the set
misconduct third time the same team member disqualification yellow/red card in two hands sub., must go to the locker room for the rest of the match
offensive conduct first time any team member expulsion yellow/red card in one hand sub., must go to the locker room for the rest of the set
offensive conduct second time the same team member disqualification yellow/red card in two hands sub., must go to the locker room for the rest of the match
aggression first time any team member disqualification yellow/red card in two hands sub., must go to the locker room for the rest of the match