Court Volleyball

Game Duration

1. Games will start sharply at their scheduled time. Please arrive early to ensure you are dressed for play and ready to start on time. If there is another game playing on the court before yours, please find an empty area nearby to change and leave teams space to complete their game and exit.
2. Games will be 55 minutes long with a 5 minute warm-up. 1 hour time slots will include 3 matches to 25, with the overall winner being the team who wins the majority of the matches.

Players

1. Games are 6 vs 6 coed
2. A minimum of 2 female and 2 male must be on the court at all times
3. If a team has only 1 male or 1 female players they must play shorthanded (5-on-6).
4. Teams must have 5 players on the court or they will forfeit the game.
5. If playing in a mens or womens league, no gender minimums are required but a 5 player minimum is required to avoid forfeit.

The Serve

1. The first serve of the first set is determined by Rock/Paper/Scissors. The team that loses the first set will serve first in the next one. The same applies for the third set with respect to the losing the second set.
2. Server must serve from behind the restraining line (end line) until after contact. In some smaller gyms we may allow one step into the court on the serve.
3. Ball may be served underhand or overhand.
4. Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.
5. Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for point.
6. Front row players can not attack the ball until the ball has dropped below the top of the net.
7. Serves are capped at 5 consecutive per player. After the fifth serve, rotate to the next server. Serving order must be followed.

Scoring

1. Rally scoring will be used
2. There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
3. Offence will score on a defence miss or out of bounds hit.
4. Defence will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
5. Game will be played to 25 pts. There will be three games to 25 to determine the winner. If short on time, the winner of the final set will be the team in the lead when the ref calls time.
6. Must win by 2 points (to a maximum of 27 points)

Rotation

1. Teams will rotate each time they win the serve.
2. Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.
3. There shall be 4-6 players on each side.

Playing the Game

1. Maximum of three hits per side.
2. Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit).
3. Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve.
4. A ball touching a boundary line is good.
5. A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest.
6. The ball may touch any part of the body.
7. If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play.
8. A player must not block or attack a serve.

BASIC VIOLATIONS

1. Stepping on or over the line on a serve (exception, some small gyms one step over may be allowed).
2. Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.
3. Hitting the ball illegally (Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc.). This will be strictly regulated in Upper Rec and above. If you are in a beginner division refs may choose to warn and advise players instead to teach them legal hits instead of punishing all illegal hits.
4. It is not a fault to touch the net, however it is a fault to touch the white tape while in the act of playing the ball. Violations are at the refs discretion based on whether players interfere with their opponents fair play of the ball by hitting the net.
5. Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or opposing player).
6. Failure to serve in the correct order.
7. A back row player cannot block or attack the ball above the height of the net while they are in the front zone.

UNIFORMS

1. Matching team shirts are recommended.
2. Good quality court shoes must be worn.
3. Knee and Elbow pads are recommended but not mandatory.

CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game.
2. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and staff.
3. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match whether in victory or defeat.
4. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control.
5. Refrain from using foul or abusive language.
6. Have fun!