S Ramachandran, chairman of technical committee, Tamil Nadu Volleyball Association (TNVA), and member, technical committee, Volleyball Federation of India (VFI), said the rule holds a definite advantage for players.

``Earlier, the players had to think twice while serving, but now that is not the case. They can go boldly for a hard serve and also serve confidently,'' he said.

The experimental rule, which the players have not really put into play or found little time to practise due to rains before the championship, has left them in a muddle. Most players continue to assume such serves were faults. Ramachandran said: ``Old habits die hard.''

Senior India coach GE Sridharanfelt the rule was good for the game. He pointed out that the new rule, decided upon at the FIVB Committee meeting in France last month, is being tried out for the first time in India, leave alone Tamil Nadu.

``Earlier, the players had their minds fixed on the ball only after the serve, but now, they should be focussed even before and after a serve.''

He also said that since the new rule may come into force after the Sydney Olympics, the players should be trained during the camp. ``You have to keep a man right in front of the inside attack line to receive the net touch ball.''

Sridharan felt the new rule was good for teams which have good jump serve specialists. ``When the rally system rule was enforced, we cut short on jump serve specialists from our team. But now, the new addition means that we have to bring in some more.''

Tamil Nadu state referee S Palaniswamy also came out in support. ``Neccessity is the mother of invention. The rule makes officiating easy, especially when the ball contacts thenet. However, it will take time for us to adapt our signalling gestures to the new rule.''

The players feel that earlier, the rules were changed once in four years and now, there are changes even before they could get acclimatised to one.

``The new rule is an advantage to the serving team,'' remarked the captain of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, K Srinivasamoorthy. However, team-mate, C Gopal, affirmed that it was a rare case of the ball touching the net. ``No player serves intentionally into the net. Anyway, any new rule is worth trying.''

Venkatesan of TNEB, who has played for Tamil Nadu for the past 14 years, and P Sundaram of IOB, who has donned the India colours, asserted that the new rule will ensure longer rallies and attract more spectators and sponsors.

Thulasi Reddy of IOB, also an international star, and IOB coach A Palaniappan, agreed with Venkatesan and Sundaram. ``The rule is good, but it should not be experimented or implemented at short notice. Only two days before this championshipwe came to know of the rule change and that is the reason for the confusion.''

The new rule will next be experimented in the Sub-junior Nationals (Nov 17-21) at Chandrapur, Maharashtra, followed by the Junior Nationals at Tiruchi (Dec 28-Jan 2) and the Senior Nationals at Salem (Jan 9-16).