Volleyball Rules
TEAM SIZE
– No more than 6 players on the court.
– A game can officially be played with 4 players on the court for one team.
– Teams must have at least 4 of their own players for the result to count towards the standings.
– If a team arrives with only 3 or fewer players, it will automatically be counted as a forfeit unless both teams agree before the game starts that they wish for the result to count anyway (for example, if substitutes are filling in).
– If the game is to be played as a friendly, this must also be agreed upon and clear to both teams before the game starts.
– It is recommended to have around 8 in your squad as players can rotate every serve during the game.
BASIC RULES
– Maximum of three hits per side.
– A player may not hit the ball twice in succession (a block is not considered a hit).
– Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve.
– A ball hitting a boundary line is ‘in’.
– A ball is ‘out’ if it hits:
– the floor completely outside the court,
– any of the net or cables outside the antennae,
– the referee stand or pole,
– or the ceiling of the venue.
– Legal to contact the ball with any part of the body.
– Illegal to catch, hold, or throw the ball.
– If two or more players contact the ball at the same time, it counts as one play and either player may make the next contact (as long as it’s not the 4th hit).
– A player cannot block or attack a serve from on or inside the 3-metre line.
– After the serve, front line players may switch positions at the net.
BASIC VIOLATIONS
Doing any of the below results in a lost point:
– Stepping on or across the service line during serve.
– Failing to serve the ball over the net.
– Illegal ball contact (lifting, carrying, throwing, etc).
– Touching the net while the ball is in play (except when the ball drives the net into a player).
– Reaching over the net to block or attack in violation of opponent’s play rights.
– Crossing the centre line (unless only part of the hand or foot crosses).
– Serving out of order.
– Back row player blocking/spiking above the net.
FORFEITS
– Teams have until 10 minutes past the start time to field a legal team.
– Game length may be reduced to stay on schedule.
– If a team has fewer than 4 of their own players and both teams do not agree to count the result, it will be recorded as a forfeit.
– If only 1-3 players show up, the game will still be played as a friendly (no forfeit fee applies).
– If no players show up at all, a $99 forfeit fee applies and goes to the opposition.
– Forfeit fees must be paid before the next game.
– If your team is short, post in our Facebook subs group to find fill-ins.
SUBSTITUTIONS
– Allowed every time your team serves.
– No limit to the number of subs or substitutions.
The referee’s decisions are final.
These SportUP Volleyball league rules are not exhaustive and may be added to or amended at any time.