Volleyball

Rules of Play

Most Important Rule: Have fun! Since we do need some sort of structure, though, here are our rules:

1. Game Format:
   1. For a team to win a game, they must win two (2) out of three (3) sets.
   2. If a team has won the first two (2) sets of a game, then the teams will not play the third (3rd) set.
   3. The team that scores twenty-five (25) points first wins the first (1st) set.
   4. The team that scores twenty-five (25) points first wins the second (2nd) set.
   5. If both teams are tied after two sets, then the team that scores fifteen (15) points first in third wins the third (3rd) set.
   6. Teams are allowed a thirty (30) second timeout for each set.
2. Team Rosters:
   1. Teams must have at least six (6) players registered on their team. 
   2. Teams must have a minimum of two (2) males and two (2) females from their registered team to play a game.
   3. If a team fails to meet the requirement of 2.2, then the team will forfeit the game two (2) sets to zero (0) sets unless 2.3.1 is in effect.
      1. A team may choose to allow – at their discretion – an opposing team to play with only one (1) female and three (3) males from their registered team in violation of 2.3 for regular season games. 
      2. A team may choose to allow – at their discretion – an opposing team to play with only three (3) females) and one (1) male from their registered team in violation of 2.3 for regular season games.
      3. No team – under any circumstances – may choose to allow an opposing team to violate 2.3 for any playoff game.
3. Start of Play
   1. Before the start of the first set, team captains (or another team representative) will play one (1) round of “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
   2. The team that wins the round of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” will have the option to decide: 1) which team will serve first or 2) which side of the court they would like to play first.
      1. If the winner decides which team will serve first, then the other team will decide which side of the court they would like to play for the first set.
      2. If the winner decides which side of the court they would like to play for the first set, then the other team will decide which team will serve first.
4. Referees
   1. Each team is required to have one (1) player from their team umpire another game as an official scorekeeper in accordance with the schedule.
   2. Teams that do not provide (1) player from their team to umpire a game they are scheduled to umpire will lose one (1) set in the standings.
   3. The primary role of the sideline scorekeeper is to keep the score of their game.
   4. Teams will self-call their own games (and sideline scorekeepers will not make any initial calls in a game). However, in the event of a disagreement between the teams on whether a violation of any rules has occurred, the sideline scorekeeper will also serve as a tiebreaker and resolve the disagreement.
   5. At the end of each game, the official scorekeeper is required to give the league commissioner or league assistant commissioner the score of their game. When reporting the score, the official scorekeeper will report the winner of the game and by how many sets (i.e., two (2) to one (1) or two (2) to zero (0)).
5. Serves:
   1. Players must execute all serves behind the end line on each side of the court.
   2. If the server goes over the line in a serve, then the play is dead, and the opposing team gets ball and point.
   3. Players may serve the volleyball in any way provided that: 1) the serve is conducted behind the line and 2) the player is not simply throwing the ball to the other side of court.
   4. If a serve hits the net and passes to the other side, then the ball remains in play.
6. Returns and Contacts:
   1. Each team has a maximum of three (3) successful contacts to return the ball to the opponent’s side.
   2. If a player attempts to return a ball uncleanly (for example, by lifting the ball or throwing the ball in a return), then the opposing team is automatically awarded point and ball.
   3. If two (2) players contact the ball simultaneously, then the hit counts as one (1) contact and either player may the hit ball again.
   4. For a ball to remain live during a return, the ball must pass over the net.
   5. If a player kicks the ball to keep it live, then that counts as one contact for the returning team.
7. Blocks
   1. A block does not count as contact under 6.1 and is allowed to contact the ball right after the block without another player making contact.
   2. If a player blocks or attacks a serve, then the serving team is automatically awarded point and ball.
   3. Players may attack the ball as soon as the ball begins to cross the plane of the net.
8. Rotations/ Substitutions:
   1. Teams must rotate clockwise after receiving side-out.
   2. Substitutions are up to the teams, but teams are required to make sure that all team members get to play during each set.
   3. Teams may move around within their rotation after the initial serve while ball remains live.
   4. If a team violates rule 8.3, then the opposing team is automatically awarded ball and point.
   5. Teams may change their rotation in between sets while play is dead.
9. Live and Dead Balls & In or Out:
   1. If the ball touches the poles or the ropes supporting the net, then that ball is considered a dead ball and the opposing team receives ball and point.
   2. If any player on a team crosses under the net or touches the net during play, then the ball is considered dead and the opposing team receives ball and point.
   3. If any part of the ball touches any part of the boundary line, then the ball is considered in and the opposing team receives ball and point.
   4. A player’s foot or hand may touch the centerline provided that the foot or hand does not fully cross into the opposing team’s court.
   5. Players are allowed to run out of bounds to play a ball provided that they remain on their team’s side of the court.
10. Standings System
    1. For every win a team earns, the winning team is awarded one (1) win in the standings.
    2. For every loss a team earns, the losing team is awarded zero (0) wins in the standings.
    3. Koala Volleyball will use the following tiebreakers (in order) among teams tied in points at the end of the season:
       1. Highest combined set differential.
       2. If two or more teams are tied in the standings after applying 10.3.1, then the team with the least number of sets lost will earn the higher seed.
       3. If two or more teams are tied in the standings after applying 10.3.1 and 10.3., then Koala Volleyball will use a coin toss to determine which team will earn the higher seed.