OFFICIATING

• Teams must make their own calls – be honest!

• If there is a disagreement, please re-serve -- If a disagreement cannot be resolved by the 2 captains quickly, please speak to a league coordinator

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ATTENDANCE

Weather: If less than 30% of registered teams show up on a given night due to bad weather, scores will not be counted for that week.

 

Missed nights: After 3 consecutive weeks of no shows, we reserve the right to remove your team from the schedules for the remainder of the season with no refund.

 

MATCHES AND SCORES

Match / Round Length:

• Matches are played within allotted time:

  • 1 match in approximately 25 minute round;

  • 2 games in each match.

• 3 minutes (approximately) between rounds to switch courts.

 

Scoring

• All games are rally point scoring (point scored every serve).

• 1st game: to 21points (win by 2 & capped at 23).

• 2nd game: played until whistle blows - complete any rally that is in play at time of whistle.

  • If the two teams are tied in the game being played when the whistle blows, then one point will be played to determine the winner of that game.

• Win = 1 point (if only 1 game is played: 2 points are awarded).

• Loss = 0 points

 

Recording

• Each captain is responsible for recording scores of each game on the score sheets provided to them.

• Sheets indicate games won/lost, points scored and against and both captains’ MUST sign initial.

 

Reporting

• Each captain must drop off their completed score card to the main tent.

• If you forget to hand in your score sheet at the end of the night the matches will go down as losses. If you bring the score sheet to the league manager the next week and both captains’ sign it we may be able to correct the standings for the following week.

• Any late score submissions will be reflected on the following week’s results.

• The final week of regular games, scores must be handed in on the evening of play (the week before playoffs). There will be no late submissions accepted, and a default loss for no scorecards will be awarded.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (see specific divisions) and DEFAULTS

• Teams not able to field a team with the minimum requirements of the division may still play with the consent of the opposing captain. Any game default will be determined prior to the start of the match.

 

Round ONE (6:45pm for Spring/Summer, 6pm for Fall)

• If a team does not meet the minimum requirement at official match start:

  • After 5 minutes- default 1st game (score 21-10 for non-defaulting team);

  • If the defaulting team shows up and can meet the minimum team requirements before 10 minutes has elapsed from the initial whistle, then the second game can be played with no penalty in game 2;

  • After 10 minutes – default 2nd game (score 21-10 for non-defaulting team).

 

Round TWO and THREE

• 2-minute grace period from the whistle will be allowed.

• If a team cannot field a team within 5 minutes they will default the match with the scores being 21- 10 and 21-10.

  • On the score sheet please note a default and fill in the score 21-10 and 21-10.

 

Stalling

• Teams cannot delay intentionally in an effort to get a victory from the timed conclusion of a match.

 

Time Outs

• There are no time outs in league games.

 

Safety on the Courts

• Please place all personal belongings as close to the court posts as possible to avoid any injuries.

• Please keep children or pets clear of the court areas.

• Please report any significant injuries to the league coordinators.

• No bikes are allowed between courts. Please use the bike posts provided.

 

Playoffs & Eligibility

• All league teams play in the playoffs in either the championship or consolation divisions.

• To be eligible for playoffs, participants must have played in a minimum of 3 regular season games for that team and be properly registered on the team roster.

• Participants may not participate on 2 different teams in the same division on the same night during the playoffs (Example: John cannot play with his team and sub with another team during the playoffs).

 

Rules Changes/Revised

• The Organizers have the right to make changes to the rules and will communicate them to the Team Captains.

 

Game Balls

• Mikasa Balls from the OVA.

 

Reminders for all Divisions

 

Serving

• One service toss per player - 8 seconds to serve once they have the ball

• Service contact must be made with hand or arm ONLY

• Server can serve anywhere behind the end line & between sidelines. The ball can hit the net on the serve.

• No blocking serves.

 

Ball Interference

• If a ball enters your court during a rally, please stop the game until the ball is removed, and the point can be re-served.

 

Playing the Ball

• The ball can be played by any part of the body (except when serving).

 

Receiving Serve

• A player may not volley a serve *except in the Recreational League. Any play that is not a bump and not a volley (when you play the ball with your hands but not volley) must be with your hands together and made in one motion.

• NOTE: Once the ball is in play (after the serve), you may volley the first, second or third hit.

 

Ball In or Out

• If the ball hits the line it is in. If the line moves unintentionally, and the ball does not hit the line, the ball is out.

 

Ball Contact

• Participants may play the ball off any part of their body (except when serving the ball)

 

Setting/Volleying

• Volleys are when you contact the ball at or above face level, with open hands, without the ball coming to rest.

• Official volleyball rules state that double contacts and lifts are illegal (you should use the division skill level as a guide to apply the rules and recreational divisions should be the least strict rules and elite division should be the most strictly adhered to).

 

Volleying Across the Net

• When volleying the ball over the net, the shoulders of the player volleying must be facing the direction of the intended target (facing one direction and volleying in another, is a fault)

• A ball that drifts over the net when setting is not a fault.

• If a ball is affected by the weather, there is no violation.

 

Fair Ball - Over the Plane of the Net

• If any part of the ball is over the net it is fair game for either side to play but once it crosses the plane completely only that side is able to play it. That means that you cannot set your tall player over the net and they reach over to the opponents side of the net and play it.

 

Contacting the Net and Crossing under the Net

• Players CANNOT touch the net during play. Touching the net is a violation, and we ask that you call your violation immediately, to stop play.

• There is no centerline violation in beach volleyball. A player may cross under the net without violation and resume play, but may not:

  • Touch anyone on the other team;

  • Interfere with them playing the ball;

  • make contact with the net.

People participate for exercise, fun & competition but everyone has to go to work tomorrow so remember that all teams should play with those thoughts in mind and maintain a high level of sportsmanship.

 

DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES

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Co-Ed 6s:

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Team Composition

• Minimum of 5 participants (minimum 2 females) playing at all times

 

Court Size

• Courts should be 9m x 9m. This is the biggest size the lines will extend to.

 

Net Height

• Net should be on co-ed height (lower than men’s 2.43m and higher than women’s 2.24m)

 

Rotation

• Same rotation as in court volleyball.

• Participants must rotate in a clockwise position - back right to middle back to back left to front left to front middle to front right.

• Participants in the back court may not block in the front court or attack from the front court.

 

Substitutions

• Substitutes can enter the game before or after the serving position.

• Participants cannot go off and then enter back in the front row or any other position.

 

Serving

 

All Divisions:

• A player has 8 seconds to serve once they have the ball.

• Service contact must be made with hand or arm (no other part of the body is legal to serve with).

• The serve can be contacted anywhere behind the end line and within the sidelines.

• The ball can hit the net on the serve.

• Blocking a serve is prohibited.

 

Competitive 6s Division:

• Jump serving is allowed; unlimited serves per player.

 

Intermediate 6s Division:

• No jump serving; unlimited serves per player.

 

Recreational 6s Division:

• No jump serving and to encourage player rotation a max of 5 serves/player will be allowed.

• After 5 serves, the ball goes to the other team who rotates and serves.

 

Hitting and Open Handed Tips

• A player CANNOT complete an attack-hit using an “open-handed tip” or directing the ball with the fingertips EXCEPT IN RECREATIONAL 6’s.

 

Blocking

• If the ball touches the block it DOES NOT count as the 1st contact.

• The blocker has the right to play the 2nd contact.

• Touching the net is a fault.

• Blocking a ball across the net/penetrating is legal, provided that the blocker doesn’t interfere with the opponents attack or the opponent has completed all of their three hits.

 

Volleying on Defence

• A player can volley on defence (except on serve) during the game.

• Only the Recreational Division can volley on serve receive

 

Co-ed and Mixed 4’s:

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Team Composition - Co-ed 4’s

• Minimum of 3 participants (minimum 2 females) playing at all times.

 

Team Composition - Mixed 4s

• Minimum of 3 participants (minimum of 1 female) playing at all times.

 

Court Size

• 4s divisions will play on 8m x 8m. Set the lines to the 8m guides on the 4 corners and the 2 guides in the middle.

 

Net Height

• Net should be co-ed height (lower than men’s 2.43m and higher than women’s 2.24m).

 

Rotation on the court

• No rotation is required except when ensuring proper service rotation.

• All participants are considered front row participants and can spike or block at any time.

 

Substitutions

• No restrictions.

 

Serving

• A player has 8 seconds to serve once they have the ball.

• Service contact must be made with hand or arm (no other part of the body is legal to serve with).

• The serve can be contacted anywhere behind the end line and within the sidelines.

• The ball can hit the net on the serve.

• Blocking a serve is prohibited.

 

Hitting and Open Handed Tips

• No open hand tips allowed.

• A legal tip or soft shot must be with:

  • A closed hand (hard contact with the ball) fist.

  • Knuckle, or heel of the hand, or the back of the hand.

 

Blocking

• If the ball touches the block it DOES NOT count as the 1st contact.

• The blocker has the right to play the 2nd contact.

• Touching the net is a fault.

• Blocking a ball across the net/penetrating is legal provided that the blocker doesn’t interfere with the opponents attack or the opponent has completed all of their three hits.

 

Volleying on Defence

• A player can volley on defence (except on serve) during the game.

 

Please note that there are no official International (FIVB), National (Volleyball Canada), or Provincial (OVA) Beach Volleyball rules for 4s or 6s.The only official rules are for 2s since its played in the Olympics. As such, the league rules listed above are a combination of various court and beach volleyball rules aimed at allowing maximum participation and enjoyment.

 

Co-Ed 2s, Men’s 2s and-Women’s 2s:

 

Team Composition Co-Ed 2’s

• 2 participants (1 male & one female) playing at all times.

 

Team Composition – Men’s 2’s

• 2 male participants playing at all times.

 

Team Composition – Women’s 2’s

• 2 female participants playing at all times.

 

Court Size

• 2’s divisions will play on 8m x 8m. Set the lines to the 8m guides on the 4 corners and the 2 guides in the middle. This is the official Olympic size.

 

Net Height

• Co-Ed 2’s should be co-ed height (lower than men’s 2.43m and higher than women’s 2.24m).

• Men’s 2s will play on Men’s height (2.43m).

• Women’s 2s will play on Women’s height (2.24m).

 

Court Side Changes

• Teams will switch sides of the court for game 1 & game 2.

 

Rotations on the court

• No rotation is required except when ensuring proper service rotation. All participants are considered front row participants and can spike or block at any time.

 

Substitutions: no substituting during a game

Blocking

• If the ball touches the block it DOES count as the 1st contact.

• The blocker has the right to play the 2nd contact.

• Touching the top tape of the net is a fault.

• Blocking a ball across the net/penetrating is legal provided that the blocker doesn’t interfere with the opponents attack or the opponent has completed all of their three hits.

 

Hitting and Open Handed Tips

• No open hand tips allowed.

• A legal tip or soft shot must be with:

  • A closed hand (hard contact with the ball) fist;

  • Knuckle, or heel of the hand, or the back of the hand.

 

Volleying on Defence

• When playing a ball from an attack that is NOT hard driven, it can be played with a volley as long as it is a clean volley (no lift or double contact)

• When playing a ball from a hard driven attack, a volley can be used and it does not have to be clean (it can be a lift or double contact).