Volleyball Rules

GAME TIMES/DURATION OF MATCHES

  • Games start at the scheduled time sharp.
  • Please be at the gym at least 15 minutes before your game to warm up and allow a quick transition between games.
  • Teams that are more than 10 minutes late and without the required minimum number of players, automatically forfeit their game.
  • Round Robin Games: Each team plays 4×30 minutes against 4 different opponents.
  • Regular Games: Each team plays 60 minutes against a single opponent.
  • Depending on the needs of the league, double headers may be scheduled.
  • All games start and end at the XTSC representative’s signal
  • Games must finish at the scheduled time, regardless of the time they started, as there are other games scheduled after yours. Please be considerate of other teams.
  • If your team isn’t able to play during a certain night, please let us know (at least 24 hours in advance), so we can inform the other team. Defaults can be emailed to info@xtsc.ca.
  • Registered teams that don’t show up, without notifying the league, or notifying the league too late, causing the other team to still show up, will get a deduction of 250 points. These points will be deposited in the account of the team captain of the team that showed up at the field.

LEVEL OF PLAY

Intermediate Competitive
General Focus:

Players know the Basic Techniques and Fundamentals of the sport such as, but not limited to: serve, serve receive-passing

 General Focus:

Players are able to fully execute the Basic Techniques and Fundamentals of the sport such as, but not limited to: serve and serve receive-passing with accuracy to a target area
Skill Level:

A range from beginner to intermediate, with selective advanced players just participating for fun and enjoyment.

The 1-hour format is in general for beginners and the Round Robin format for intermedite players.

 Skill Level:

Generally players range from the intermediate if not the advanced stage in skill. They enjoy the sport, but are also competing against fellow players for the win!
Examples:

A Recreational player should know the basics of volleyball, and played some volleyball before, but he/she is just beginning to bump, set, and spike.

A Beginner/Intermediate player is still in the early learning stages of the game but knows the skills. This player knows how to bump, set (a little), and spike. But this player has a lot of practice yet to go to be able to do these skills consistently. Beginner players may commit mistakes often.

 Examples:

An Intermediate player knows where to be on the court at all times when plays are developing. He/she knows where to be when the opponent is hitting. This player knows the footwork of and how to approach hitting effectively. Intermediate players know how to run a 5-1, a 6-2, and needlessly, a 4-2.

An Advanced player is somewhere between Intermediate and Professional. They know all the skills extremely well but cannot always execute the super-high level plays extremely effectively all the time. Advanced players can run combination plays in basic and sometimes complex ways if passes are good. That includes slides, tandems, x’s, crosses, and back-row hitting.
Serving:

Maximum of 5 serves/points per player

 Serving:

Unlimted serves

Important Note: Players must have played volleyball before in order to register for one our leagues. Recreational volleyball is where members/athletes train and play for fun and for skill development. Competitive volleyball may also encompass both these elements, but the goal is for teams to win matches.

LEAGUE STANDINGS

  • Round Robin Games: Points are per set- 2 for a win, 0 for a loss and 1 for a tie.
  • Regular Games: Win is 2 points, loss is 0 points, tie in sets is 1 point.
  • When teams are tied in points the head-to-head record will determine the standing.

Defaults:

  • If your team isn’t going to be able to field enough players, please notify us by emailing info@xtsc.ca at least 24 hours in advance of the game time. We encourage any players who are able to come out for a friendly, to do so. For all defaults, the following guidelines apply:
    • a default without sufficient notification to contact the opposing team will result in one point being taken off in the standings
    • a -$25 XTSC credit penalty transferred to the opposing captain for the first default
    • a -$100 XTSC credit penalty transferred to the opposing captain for a second default
    • a 3rd default will have you removed from the remainder of the schedule.
  • When a team comes to the venue but does not have the required minimum number of players to play, the opposing team can choose to take 3-0 win or play for points.
  • Decision has to be made before the start of the game. Once the game has started the prior decision cannot be reversed.
  • When both teams default, the registered score will be 0-0.
  • Any team fielding ineligible players (any player without a waiver or a last minute substitute playing without explicit permission from the referee and opposing team) will be awarded a 3-0 loss or (opponent’s score)-0, whichever is greater.
  • Opposing team captains and referees may both contest a player’s eligibility. If a player is contested, they must provide picture ID with their full first and last name, which will be provided to admin staff with the game report. If admin sees they are on the roster with a waiver signed, no action will be taken and the game results will stand. If they are not on the roster or have not signed a waiver, the game will be considered a default.

 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

  • CoEdVolleyball:
    • 6 players.
    • To play with a full team, you must have at least 2 males and 2 females on the court at all times.
    • A team can play up to 2 players short without defaulting, provided that at least one player of each gender is on the court.
    • Free Agent teams may be assigned up to 11 players.
  • Women’s Volleyball:
    • 6 players.
    • A team can play up to 2 players short without defaulting.

SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Players can only substitute between points.
  • A libero can be substituted in the backcourt for any player on the team.

Registered teams are allowed to bring in substitutions during the season as long as substitutions:

  • Are aware of the rules;
  • Are listed on the online roster;
  • Have signed the electronic waiver before playing;
  • Have been playing on the team for at least 2 season games in order to be eligible to play during playoffs.

A team that is short is allowed to ask players from the previous games to substitute for them under the following conditions:

  • the substituting player must be an XTSC member with a current signed waiver, and must provide their name and regular team name to
  • the convenor before the start of the game.
  • The opposing team grants explicit permission for the substitute(s) to play before the start of the game.
  • The convenor grants explicit permission for the substitute(s) to play before the start of the game.
  • It is not a playoff game.
  • If any of these conditions are not met, the game will be considered a default loss.
  • Substitutions can only be used to field a team and/or to have 1 male and 1 female substitute on the sidelines.
  • Players are not allowed to register for multiple teams in the league on the same playing evening

EQUIPMENT

  • Non-marking indoor shoes are mandatory for all gym leagues.
  • The leagues provides nets and balls.
  • Other volleyball equipment has to be provided by the players.

START OF PLAY

  • A player gets 1 chance to serve.
  • A second service is only permitted when a ball from another court interferes during the serve.
  • The ball can make contact with the net during the serve and when the ball is in play.
  • The libero cannot serve, spike the ball over the net or rotate into the front-line positions.
  • Teams will change ends after each set

RESTART OF PLAY

  • The play is stopped and replayed when an external interference occurs during the play (e.g. a ball from another court).
  • Games are self-refereed, any disputes on a call that cannot be resolved results in a replay of the point.
  • An XTSC representative will be on site to help resolve disputes or answer any questions you may have.
  • Round Robin Games: Each team that is sitting out will be asked to be linesmen and to keep track of the scores.

SCORING

  • Teams score a point on every rally.
  • Backcourt players may only spike the ball over the net if they jump from behind the attack line (3-meter line).
  • Round Robin Games:
    • Games consist of 2 sets to 21 points.
    • Points are capped at 21, there is no 2 points difference required.
    • Ties are allowed.
    • When time runs out before the set is completed, the final is score is the one at that moment.
  • Round Robin Playoff Games:
    • During playoffs teams will play best 2 out of 3 games.
    • The first 2 sets are to 25 points and if a 3rd set is required, it is to 15 points.
    • Points are capped at 25 and 15 points (in the 3rd set).
    • No ties are allowed, when time runs out, next point wins the set.
    • When time runs out before the set is completed, the final score is the one at that moment (except for ties).
  • Regular Games:
    • Games consist of 3 sets to 21 points.
    • A team must win by 2 points.
    • There are no ties, when time runs out, next point wins the set.
    • When time runs out before the set is completed, the final is score is the one at that moment (except for ties).
  • Regular Playoff Games:
    • Teams will play best 2 out of 3 games to 25 points.
    • A team must win by 2 points.
    • There are no ties, when time runs out, next point wins the set.
    • When time runs out before the set is completed, the final is score is the one at that moment (except for ties).

MISCONDUCTS/FOULS

  • Fouls include:
    • Touching the net while making a play on the ball.
    • Stepping on the back line while serving (foot fault).
    • A back court player is not to pass the attacking line when hitting the ball
    • Making contact with the ball twice in a row (a block doesn’t count as contact).
    • Making contact with the ball between players of the same team more than 3 times (a block doesn’t count as contact).
    • Lifting or pushing the ball.
    • Playing the ball over the net outside of the antennas.
    • Having a foot completely into the opponent’s court.
  • Players going under the net and crossing into the other team’s side is extremely dangerous to the players on both teams. Crossing the line must be called at all times for the safety of the players.
  • When a foul is called, the opposing team gets possession of the ball.
  • XTSC recreational leagues are generally more laid-back and lenient towards the above-mentioned faults with the exception of crossing under the net. Competitive leagues are strongly encouraged to enforce these rules and faults, but through self-regulation and sportsmanship.
  • Each game will have an XTSC representative present. Games are refereed and regulated by participating teams and members. In any case of a dispute/discrepancy, a re-serve will ensue as the final result.

If a player instigates a physical confrontation, they are subject to immediate expulsion from the league and their team captain is subject to a $500 fine. If the fine is not paid or this is not the first incident, the full team may be subject to expulsion.

RULES OF CONDUCT

All of XTSC’s guidelines to acceptable conduct are in effect. Please refer to XTSC Rules and Regulations for more details.