*** New Rule Update***
Beginning January 2005, all Men's divisions and Women's divisions matches will consist of 3 rally point games to 25. These divisions will also follow USAV rules regarding let serves and the use of the Libero. (See individual rule changes in sections below).

Starting times are usually 6:30; 7:45 and 9:00 p.m., except for some schools where the starting times are 7:00, 8:10 and 9:15 P.M. Each game shall start within 15 minutes of its scheduled starting time. If a player arrives more than 15 minutes after the start of the last game they may have to ring the school bell to enter as some schools want us to lock the doors after the last game begins. If a player knows he is going to be real late for the last game he must tell his players to check the door for him or listen for the bell.

There shall be a minimum of four players present to start a game. If a team does not have at least 4 players present within 15 minutes of the scheduled start of the game the referee shall declare a default. Players may practice for the remainder of the time period if they so choose. back to top

Once a year, a team may use individuals not on its roster, including players from another team, to prevent a default. However, if in the opinion of the referee, the added player is better than the recruiting team's average player and the opposing team calls us the next day complaining of a ringer, we will declare a default in their favor.

If your team is in jeopardy of forfeiting and you've exhausted all possiblilites, please
call the league office. We may be able to help you prevent a forfeit by providing you with a substitute player on your teams' level for that evening.

In the event that a forfeit is inevitable, you must call the office before 5:00 p.m. so that we may notify the opposing team and/or try to provide a substitute team for them to play. You would expect your opponents to extend the same courtesy to you. back to top

There shall be a minimum of 2 women on the court at all times or, to put it differently, no more than four men. Therefore, if a team shows up with 10 men and one woman, they can play, but only with 5 players on the court, 1 woman and four men. If a team shows up with only men, the opposing team will have the option of taking the forfeit or playing the game against 4 men.

We do not enforce any type of male-female alternate hit rule. back to top

A.) The team fielding, the most players in uniform (up to six ) shall serve first for the 1st and 3rd games of the match. If both teams have the same number of player's in uniform the teams shall flip a coin to see who serves first. Wear your uniform. It will help you look & feel like a team. The shirt rule is only enforced during the Spring and Fall seasons.

B.) Any player may return the serve on the first hit, however, No player may block or attack a served ball while the ball is above the height of the net. To attack means to direct the ball into the opponent's court.

C.) The referee shall blow the whistle to signal permission to serve.

D.) If the server throws the ball up in the air and decides not to hit it, he must allow the ball to drop to the floor. If he catches the ball, or it hits him, before it hits the ground it is a side out.

E.) The server may not hit the ball directly out of his hand. The server may serve from anywhere behind the back line.

F.) NEW RULE UPDATE: In all Men's divisions and Women's divisions, a served ball that touches the net and continues into the opponent's court is in play. In ALL OTHER DIVISIONS, it is a service fault if the ball touches any part of the net. back to top

A Double hit on any first ball over the net, whether hit hard or soft, is no longer a fault as long as you don't carry it. This means, on any first ball over including service, you can hit the ball with hands apart as long as you don't carry it. Yes, you can now hit the first ball coming over the net in the classic beginner style (two palms up with hands apart) as long as it doesn't rest in your hands for a carry. Second and third hits of the ball follow normal rules.

You may hit the ball with any part of your body including the feet. (Hey, this gives a big advantage to Brazilians!) back to top

a.) A player may reach over the net to block a ball, however, a player may not reach over the net to volley or spike the ball or to block a set. It is not a fault if, after spiking a ball, that player's hand follows through over the net so long as it does not touch the net or an opposing player.

b.) A ball which bounces off a player while blocking a ball, may be rehit by that player. This does not constitute a double hit.

c.) If a ball ricochets off a player's body after attempting to field it, the ricochet does not constitute a double hit as long as it is the first hit of the ball after passing over the net.

d.). SPIKING: Spiking from the front row is, of course, allowed. Spiking from the back row is allowed as long as that player is at least 9 feet 10 inches away from the net. The referee will use his best judgement to approximate the distance. In some of our gyms you will see a basketball line around 10 feet from the net. In these gyms, this line will be designated as the back spiking line. back to top

Incidental contact with the net is not a fault as long as the player doing so is not involved with the play and does not interfere with the play. (If you set the ball for a player and then you brush against the net it is not a fault.) Any intentional touching of the net is a fault.

No going under the net. A player has crossed under the net when his entire foot crosses the mid-line. back to top

A match shall consist of 3 games of 15 points each. We do not play best out of three. All three games count. Each game must be won by at least 2 points. However, there is a 17 point cap.

NEW RULE UPDATE: In all Men's divisions and Women's divisions 1 & 2, games will consist of 3 games to 25 using rally scoring. If the teams are tied 25-25, we use a 27 point cap.. back to top

Teams may substitute by rotating players in, or through wholesale substitution. Needless to say you are not allowed to substitute so your best server is moved in and out of the game so that he always serves. However, you may substitute players in so that they split, in any manner, a position. For instance, I can't bump for beans, however I can hit with the best of them, (Yeah right!). If I want to play the front row and then, when my position rotates to the back row, bumping Bob comes in to replace me that's o.k. so long as I don't go back in to play the front row until my position rotates to the front again. If I went in sooner to play the front row I would be advancing in the rotation which is illegal.

NEW RULE UPDATE:
a.) For all Men's divisions, and Women's divisions 1 & 2, we will use the Libero rule. In ALL OTHER DIVISIONS, teams are not allowed to use a Libero.

b.) General guidelines regarding the Libero --
The Libero is a DEFENSIVE player
The Libero is restricted to playing in the back row
The Libero must be identified to the referee at the start of every game
The Libero SHOULD wear a shirt, jacket or arm band that is of a contrasting color to the rest of the team
The Libero may replace any player in the back row
The Libero must be replaced with the player who she entered for
Once the Libero comes off the court, she must remain out of the game for 1 rally point before re-entering for another player.

c.) Restrictions on the Libero -
The Libero may NOT serve
The Libero may NOT block or ATTEMPT to block
The Libero may NEVER attack the ball if the ball is ENTIRELY above the height of the net
If the Libero sets a ball using fingertips while positioned ON or IN FRONT OF the attack line, the next player may NOT attack the ball IF the ball is ENTIRELY ABOVE the height of the net

d.) In case of injury --
If the Libero is injured while in the game, the player whom the Libero replaced MUST return to the court before any other player substitution takes place.
The Libero is the last possible substitution if another player is injured in the game
If a team has 6 players and a Libero, and there is an injury in the game while the Libero is on the court, the players whom the LIbero replaced must re-enter the game before any exception substitution is allowed. back to top

You would never swear at a High School or College ref so don't do it here. If a player is disrespectful, the referee is empowered to award a point to the opposing team, or to throw a player out of the game if necessary. Please note! Only captains may address the referees during the game.

On the other hand, the refs are well paid and if one is ever late or you have a problem with one, call us the next day. We want to know.

Also, it is a USVBA rule, that when playing in a gym with adjacent courts, it is a sideout or opponents point if you go on to the court of an adjacent game. back to top

When the ball hits a ceiling, or anything designated as part of the ceiling in a particular gym, the following applies:

a.) If a player hits the ball and it hits the ceiling and comes back down in his own side of the court, that player's team may keep the ball alive, providing they haven't already used their three hits.

b.) If a player hits the ball and it hits the ceiling and comes down on the opposing team's side, then it is either side out or the opposing team's point.

Referees have discretion to call a replay if the ball hits a backboard and the ref feels certain that a player had a play on the ball. back to top

In the event of a tie between teams for a playoff spot the following rules apply:

1. If 2 teams are tied we compare how the tied teams did versus each other. If they didn't play each other we proceed to rule 2. If more than 2 teams are tied we compare the percentage of victories versus the other tied teams so long as each tied team played at least one of the other tied teams. If for some reason 1 of the tied teams didn't play any of the other tied teams we go to rule 2.

2. We compare how the tied teams did versus their highest ranked mutual opponent.

3. In the event of a dead heat we consider forfeits (if your team forfeited during the season and the other team didn't you're out) and then actual scores.

4. Whenever there are more than two teams tied for a spot, once we advance one team, we go back to rule 1.

5. John and Paula are always right. back to top

We will contact you if there is ever a cancellation. We shut down twice in twelve years. If the gyms are open, the games are on. back to top