Beach Volleyball Rules

Length

  • Matches are 45 or 55 minutes in length, teams should switch halfway through.

  • Matches are comprised of 3 sets. Best of 3 wins.

  • 55-minute games: Sets go to 25 points, you must win by two. The third set goes to 15.

  • 45-minute games: Sets go to 21 points, you must win by two. The third set goes to 15.

  • Matches start and end according to your online CSSC schedule.

  • If games start late, games must finish at the scheduled time

  • If a match concludes early, the teams can continue to play, but the score of the fourth game will not be recorded.

General Rules

  • 6v6: Teams are comprised of six (6) players with a minimum of two (2) women and two (2) men on the court. A default for the first game of a match will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time. (a team that is not ready to play defaults the first set of the match, but can play the second and third games of the match if enough players show up). A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as two (2) players are women and two (2) players are men.

  • 4v4: Teams are comprised of four(4) players with two (2) women and two (2) men on the court. Teams may play with 3 players as long as they have at least one (1) woman and (1) man. A default for the first game of a match will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time. (a team that is not ready to play defaults the first set of the match, but can play the second and third games of the match if enough players show up).

  • A player may NOT block or spike a serve. 

  • Players CAN open-hand volley a serve. 

  • A server may serve the ball from anywhere along the baseline. The serve will rotate from one team to the next at the start of each game.

  • Screening is not allowed on a serve 

  • A player may play the ball off any part of his/her body, including feet. 

  • A player may not touch the net during any part of the play. Please call your own net violations. 

  • Rotate new players in before your team starts a new server. 

  • A player may pass under the net as long as it does not interfere with the play. In other words, a blocker or hitter may land under the net/cross the line, as long as it happens without stopping the play or hindering the opposition. Please avoid doing this where possible to eliminate the possibility of injury. 

  • If time runs out in the middle of a game, whoever is winning the game at that moment is considered the winner.

  • A team must win at least 5 points in a set in order for it to count as a win/loss. If neither teams gets at least 5 points, the set is deemed a tie.

  • If 10 minutes have elapsed after the official start of the game and not enough players are present to field a team, the first game of the match is defaulted. At 20 minutes after the start of the official start time, the second game is defaulted, and at 30 minutes after the official start time, the third game is defaulted. Each defaulted game results in the loss of one (1) in the overall standings. 

  • Servers DO rotate after five consecutive points. 

  • Net serves ARE allowed. This means that if a serve hits the net but the motion of the ball carries it over the net, it is a live ball - it is not a service fault.

  • Players in the back row are NOT allowed to hit or block at the net. Although there is no 3-metre line indicated on the court, players should use their best judgment to hit from the backcourt area if they are in this position. 

  • Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out per match if needed. 

  • Games are played rain or shine.

  • For players to be eligible for playoffs, they must have attended a min. of 2 regular season nights (6-8 week season) or 3 nights (9-12 week season).

  • Please do not warm-up before your allotted gym time on the outside of the court. This can be distracting to players in a game.

Discrepancies

  • All games are self-refereed. Any disputes will be discussed amongst the two team captains. Please play honestly and call your own infractions (carry, net, etc). If a dispute cannot be settled the point should be re-served.

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