DC Volleyball

Social Indoor Volleyball Rules

The purpose of United Social Sports Volleyball is to have fun.  As an adult volleyball player, it is your personal responsibility to never allow yourself or your teammates to cross that line between fun competition and unsportsmanlike behavior.

1. Code of Sportsmanship

1. Volleyball is a self-regulated game that relies on the Honor System. If a fault occurs, you are expected to call it as such.
2. Referees are there to rule on unclear plays, settle disputes, keep the game moving and ensure player safety. While they will at times call a fault, a lack of call by a Referee does not remove your obligation to abide by the Honor System.
3. Players must treat their fellow volleyball players, referees and spectators with respect and courtesy. Personal and malicious remarks directed at anybody in the volleyball community, obscene or otherwise, at any time, have no place in the League.
4. Players must respect the authority of the referees to regulate the game and abide by their decisions. Referees’ decisions are final.
5. Team captains must be the only players that address concerns to referees and league officials. They are expected to do so in a courteous and respectful manner, and to confine their discussions to interpretations of the rules and not challenge referees’ decisions regarding judgment.
6. Players are expected to comply with the intent and spirit of the rules.  Deliberately attempting to violate the rules is unacceptable.
7. Teammates rely on players attending the games.  If you fail to attend at least 3 games with no excuse, you may be replaced on the roster if both the captain and league management agree that it is best for your team.

2. General Game Rules

A. The Game

Co-Ed Volleyball is made up of two teams of six players each, with 3 men and 3 women on the court for each team (Exception for Competitive nights where teams will have 4 players on the court)  Rally scoring (every serve will result in a point) will be used.  A best-of-3 format will be used for all matches.  Official USVBA rules will be used with the following additions, exceptions and clarifications:

B. Teams and Players

1. All players must be at least 21 years of age prior to participating in any Match and must be registered and in good standing with United Social Sports Volleyball (herein: the “League”).
2. Rosters must include no fewer than 8 players (minimum of 3 women) *Competitive nights will be required to have 6 players, consisting of a minimum of 2 women*, but may have as many players on the roster as a team chooses with no other restrictions. NOTE: If a team of “free agent” registrations is assembled by the League, it will have no more than 12 players.
3. Each team may have 6 players (*Exception for Competitive night where is this 4 players) on the court at one time, with an equal or greater number of women to men.
1. If a team has 2 women present, it may play with 3 men and 2 women on the court.
4. Teams may start a game with a minimum of 4 players, with an equal or greater number of women to men, but the opposing team will have the option of utilizing the Ghost Rule.
5. The Ghost Rule applies to a team using less than the full requirement of players, at the opposing team’s captain’s discretion.  The team missing players will lose the missing player’s turn in the serving rotation (i.e. if a team has 5 players, they must forfeit their serve after every 5^th rotation).
6. As long as two members of the team are present during the regular season, a team may use substitute players who are registered and in good standing with the league to field a full team.
7. During the playoffs, teams may only use players on their roster.

C. Game Personnnel and Their Duties

1. Teams and players are responsible for calling their own faults during play.
2. Teams are asked to provide 1 referee for games before or after their own match to act as a referee (there will be a schedule).  Referee’s will be the official timekeepers.
3. Referees’ will be positioned, during game play, at the center line.
4. Referees’ primary responsibilities are to serve as an arbitrator for difficult calls, start and maintain game flow, ensure safety of all participants and spectators, and enforce the Sportsmanship Code. It is the PLAYERS’ responsibility to identify faults when they occur.
5. League officials have the authority to eject anyone before, during and immediately after any match if they feel it is warranted.
6. All decisions made by referees are final.

3. Game Procedures

A. Game Start, Ending and Timing

1. The first team with six players at the game site will have the choice of serving first or choosing a side for the first game.
2. Teams will switch sides for the second game and the team who did not serve to start the first game shall serve to start the second game.
3. If a third game is necessary, it will be played in the same manner as the first game.
4. A 40-minute time limit will be placed on all games.  If time expires in the middle of a game, the team with the most points will be declared the winner of that game.

B. Forfeits

1. Teams will forfeit 1 game for every 10 minutes past the designated start time that they do not have the legal amount of players.
2. If a team does not have the minimum number of players present 15 minutes after the designated start time, the entire match will be forfeited and the team that is present will be declared the winner.
3. If you know in advance that your team is going to need to forfeit a game, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.  We will do everything that we can to reschedule your game, but this does not mean that your team will not receive the loss as a forfeit if we cannot accommodate your needs.
4. Playoff Eligibility: teams that notch more than 2 forfeits in 1 regular season will not be eligible for the playoffs.

C. Equipment

1. A game ball will be provided by USS.  Only balls provided by the League will be allowed in play.
2. Players must wear athletic, closed-toe shoes.
3. Players must wear the t-shirts provided by 4ever Young Sports at all times during League play.

D. Match Format

1. Matches will be played as a best-of-3 format.
1. Games will be played to 21 points with a cap of 25 points.  A team must win by 2, unless both teams are tied with 24 points.
2. The rally scoring system will be in use, which grants a point whether or not a team is serving.
3. Scores should be called out before each serve.

E. Gender Rule

1. There is no gender rule (subject to change if men/women are being intentionally excluded).

F. Substitutions / Rotation

1. Teams are allowed an unlimited number of substitutions per match.
2. Team members must rotate on the court and remain in that position until the serve has been contacted.
3. The player in the back right hand corner of the rotation will be designated to serve and continue to rotate clockwise.
4. Any player may block or spike at the net, regardless of rotation.

G. Service

1. Overhand and underhand serves are allowed.  Jump serves are not allowed.
2. When serving the ball, the player has 5 seconds to make contact with the ball before a side-out is called.
3. If the ball is served into the net, if it goes over, it is considered a legal serve.
4. The serve can be returned with a pass or a set.  The serve cannot be blocked or attacked at any time.
5. The serve can be made from anywhere behind the end line and within the sideline.
6. A server may not step over the end line until the ball has been contacted.

H. Playing Rules and Faults

1. A maximum of three consecutive contacts per side after a serve or block attempt are allowed to return the ball.
2. A block attempt is not considered a contact.
3. No player may hit the ball twice in succession, except after a block.
4. No part of the body may touch the net at anytime, unless a ball or person driven into the net causes the contact.
1. Player contact with the net in a manner not directly relating to or affecting the course of play is not a violation.
2. Contact with hair or part of the uniform will not be considered a fault.
5. When executing a block or spike, a player may follow through over the net, as long as the individual doe not interfere with players on the other side of the net.
6. Out of bounds is the area outside the designated court line.  The line is IN bounds.

4. Miscellaneous Rules

A. Liability Rules

1. Alcohol is not permitted inside the volleyball facility, on the grounds, or any place where prohibited by area rules. Players caught with alcohol will be REMOVED FROM THE LEAGUE WITHOUT REFUND. Our permits are too valuable to risk!
2. If League officials have reason to believe a player is too intoxicated to play, that player will be ejected.
3. League Management reserves the right to suspend or expel any player from the league for any reason without refund.