Governing Rules

1. The rules of the leagues, tournament, and other activities will be governed by the rules of USA Volleyball. Listed below is a very basic guide to some of the rules of play and changes that are specific to our leagues. These rules of play are not all-inclusive and generally cover only the basic and/or exceptions to USA Volleyball rules. For further explanation or interpretations, refer to the USA Volleyball Official Rules or talk to the coordinator of the league.
2. Games will be self- refereed, unless there is an official designated by the coordinator. The coordinator will monitor each game and help settle disputes if needed. The coordinator may also choose to ref some or all games if he/she feels it is necessary.
3. Players must wear a shirt and nonmarking rubber-soled shoes. No dark soled shoes. Jewelry is not permitted with the exception of a flat wedding band.
4. We require all children to be supervised by an adult while in the facility. Parents are responsible for any damage their children may cause within the facility and will be billed for damages.
5. All games must be played with balls provided by SportsLink.

Game Duration

1. Sixes and Quads matches will be played best of three games (25-25-15).
2. The match will end at the designated time.
3. At ten minutes after the scheduled game time, the teams that are not ready to play (not enough players or other reason) will forfeit the first game. The second game is forfeited twenty minutes after the scheduled game time. If a forfeit does occur the two teams scheduled to play will be allowed to use the court for the allotted time.
4. Matches should NEVER go beyond their scheduled time. When three minutes are left to play, the coordinator will alert the teams. If the game is tied at the end of the allotted time, one rally (speed) point will be played with the first fault deciding the game.
   The third game will be played to 11 if there is less than five minutes left in the allotted match time.
5. For games that are cancelled during play: if the SECOND game a team gets to 15, the match is final.  Anything before that, the game will be rescheduled.

Captains and Players

1. Team captains will report to the coordinator before the match. The referee/coordinator will ask if either team has any questions on ground rules or other information relative to the match. The winner of paper, rock, scissors may choose either side or serve.
2. Coed Rules:
   • A complete 4v4 coed team includes two men and two women.
     A complete 6v6 coed team includes three men and three women.
   • Coed 4v4  teams may not have more than two males on the court at one time. A team can play with more than two women on the court if desired.
     Coed 6v6 teams  may not have more than three males on the court at one time. A team can play with more than three women on the court if desired.
   • If a team has less than four players, they are not required to side out each time it is the “missing persons” turn to serve.
   • There are no male/female hitting rules

How the Game is Played

In and Out’s

1. Court lines are considered “IN”.
2. A ball that contacts the ceiling, the lights or other overhead objects may be played only on the same side of the net and inside the “playing area”.
3. Once the ball crosses the plane of the net or crosses the “playing area” it is considered “OUT,” when contacting the ceiling, lights or other overhead objects.
4. The “playing area” is defined as the area between the end lines, sidelines, and the free zone surround the court.
5. The free zone on each court ends at the wall or divider net and/or the sideline of the adjacent court(s).
6. Players are never permitted to play a ball, or follow through, on to another court
7. The walls, court divider nets, referee stands, column and wall pads, net antennae, and adjacent courts are all out of play.
8. Players can contact the side and back divider nets as long as they are not moving the net to keep the ball from contacting it.
9. A ball passing over or outside the antennae is out of play.
10.  Foot faults are not allowed.

Scoring

1. Games are played to 25 points by rally scoring.
   (Rally scoring means there is a point for every serve).
2. Sixes and Quads matches will be played best of three games (25-25-15).
3. Doubles matches will be played best of three games (21-21-15).
4. All regular season games are win by 1.
5. PLAYOFFS: 21/21/15 and must win by 2 (no cap)

Substitutions

1. Substitutions are unlimited as long as the same two people substitute for each other during the game
2. All divisions can choose to rotate a male for a male and/or female for a female at the service position instead of substituting one person for another.
3. If a team chooses to “rotate people” rather than “substitute people,” everyone must come in and out in order (i.e. no skipping a person).
4. Additional rules and policies may be added or amended by SportsLink before or during the season.

All players must have a valid SportsLink Player’s Card to play in our leagues unless otherwise noted.