Outdoor Volleyball Rules

The Rules

Last Revised: September 2nd, 2018


RULES OF CONDUCT

  1. Good sportsmanship. 
  2. Modest dress – no swimwear please.


GAME PLAY

  1. Maximum of three (3) hits per side
  2. Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit)
  3. Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve
  4. A ball hitting a boundary line is [in]”
  5. A ball is“[out]” if it hits:
    1. an antennae,
    2. completely outside the court,
    3. any of the net or cables outside the antennae,
    4. the referee stand or pole,
  6. It is [legal] to contact the ball with any part of a player’s body
  7. It is illegal to catch, hold, or throw the ball
  8. If two players contact the ball at the same time, it is considered one play and either player involved may make the next contact (provided the next contact isn’t the team’s 4th hit)
  9. A player cannot block or attack a serve from on or inside the 10 foot line
  10. After the serve, front line players may switch positions at the net
  11. All games will be scored with rally scoring, with games going to 25 points. Teams must win by 2 points.
  12. See the Appendix for additional clarification on these rules.


VIOLATIONS

The result of a violation is a point for the opponent, unless noted

  1. When serving; stepping on or across the service line as you make contact with the serve (will only result in a forfeit of serve but not a point)
  2. Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully
  3. Contacting the ball illegally (lifting, carrying, throwing, etc.) This is considered extended contact with the ball.
  4. Touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. Exception: If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play.
  5. When blocking a ball coming from the opponent’s court, contacting the ball when reaching over the net is a violation if both:
    1. your opponent hasn’t used 3 contacts AND
    2. they have a player there to make a play on the ball
  6. When attacking a ball coming from the opponent’s court, contacting the ball when reaching over the net is a violation if the ball hasn’t yet broken the vertical plane of the net.
  7. Crossing the court centerline with any part of your body that interferes with an opponent. A player’s foot (feet) penetrates completely into the opponent’s court.
  8. Serving out of order.
  9. Back row player blocking (deflecting a ball coming from their opponent), when at the moment of contact the back row player is near the net and has part of his/her body above the top of the net (an illegal block).
  10. Back row player attacking a ball inside the front zone (the area inside the 10 foot line),


APPENDIX

  1. Serving the ball:
    Service in front of the end line and between either side line.
    Serve may hit the net and go over and be in play.
    Service may be under or over hand with ball in air while being struck.
    You may not step on the front service line – foot fault.
  2. Net play:
    You may not touch the net while making a play on the ball or your follow through
    You can play the ball off the net on a legal hit
    The ball cannot hit the antennas or their imaginary extensions
  3. Scoring:
    All games will be scored with rally scoring to 25
  4. Tournament:
    Only registered players can play in the championship tournament games. On rare occasion a sub will fill in the remainder of the season for an injured player or a player that can no longer be part of the team. In order for this sub to play in the playoffs, he/she must have played at least 3 regular season games with the team he/she will be playing for in the playoffs.