Is it considered illegal alignment if the center front is closer to the right sideline than the right front?

In volleyball, team alignment is crucial according to the rules, particularly the positioning of players before the serve. Each front row player must be positioned such that they conform to the designated order and spacing defined in the rules. Specifically, the center front player must be directly behind or in line with the right front player when the ball is served.

If the center front player is closer to the right sideline than the right front player, this creates an illegal alignment. Such positioning violates the requirement that players must maintain their relative positions within the designated areas of the court. Therefore, having the center front out of alignment like this means the team is not in compliance with the rules, resulting in a penalty.

This scenario emphasizes the importance of adhering to the specified alignments, as proper positioning affects both the team's strategy and the integrity of play. Recognizing illegal alignments helps ensure fair play and maintain the rules of the game. Thus, the answer confirming that this situation is indeed considered illegal alignment is accurate.