For a simultaneous fault during live play, how many penalties are assessed?

In the context of volleyball officiating, a simultaneous fault occurs when two or more players commit violations at the same moment that cannot be distinctly separated from one another. According to the rules, when a simultaneous fault is identified during live play, it is treated as a single incident.

The rationale behind assessing only one penalty is to maintain the flow and fairness of the game. When both teams commit an equally egregious fault simultaneously, it is seen as an unresolvable scenario where neither team can be deemed solely at fault. As a result, the play is typically stopped, and in this case, the game resumes with a replay of the point—essentially resetting the situation without penalizing either team further.

Other outcomes, such as the imposition of two penalties or varying penalties based on severity, do not apply in this context since both teams are penalized for the same simultaneous action. The rules are structured this way to promote fair play and avoid placing an undue burden on either team when the fault is unclear or evenly matched.