Volleyball Tournament Rules

Positions

  1. The rotational order is determined by the team's starting line-up and controlled with the service order and players' positions throughout the set.

  2. At the moment the ball is hit by the server, each team must be positioned within its own court in the rotational order (except the server).

    • Three players along the net are front-row players

    • The other three are back-row players 

  3. After the service hit, the players may move around and occupy any position on their court and the free zone.

  4. The players must follow the service order determined by the teams starting line-up and rotational order.

Gameplay 

  1. Matches are best out of 3 games - Game 1: 15 Points win by 2

    • Game 2: 15 Points win by 2

    • Game 3: 21 Points win by 2 or first to 25

  2. “Carries” are NOT allowed.

  3. “Lifts” are NOT allowed and are subject to being called by the opposing team or referee 

    1. I.E. lifting the ball with the fingertips or an open palm constituted a “Lift”

      1. Hits received under the waist must be bumped, set, or bounce off any other part of the receiver's body.

        1. One handed hits received from the wrist or anywhere further up the arm ARE allowed.

        2. Closed fist received ARE allowed

    2. If a dispute arises from the opposing teams call, the point will be replayed

      1. If a referee calls the lift, the point will be awarded to the opposing team

  4. Receives that are blatantly a “double contact” are NOT allowed.

    1. Receivers CANNOT hit the ball with 2 different body parts in the same hit.

    2. Receives that are “set” are subject to different rules:

      1. Unless stated by an official referee, “double contact” on a set receive IS allowed.

  5. “Open hand tipping” IS allowed

  6. “Setting” over the net IS allowed

  7. Players MAY cross into the opponent's space under the net provided it DOES NOT interfere with the opponents play or attack.


Attacking 

  1. A back-row player may complete an attack hit at any height from behind the front zone (10ft Line).

  1. A back-row player may also complete an attack hit from the front zone, if at the moment of the contact a part of the ball is lower than the top of the net.

  1. No player is permitted to complete an attack hit on the OPPONENT’S service, when the ball is in the front zone and entirely higher than the top of the net.

    1. Basically NO blocking a service above the net.

  1. A back-row player CANNOT complete an attack hit from the front zone, if at the moment of the hit the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net.

  1. A back-row player is defined as the player who starts in the back 3 positions at the time of the service. 

Blocking

  1. In blocking, the player may place his/her hands and arms beyond the net, provided that this action does not interfere with the opponent’s play. Thus, it is not permitted to touch the ball beyond the net before an opponent has executed an attack hit.

  1. A block contact is NOT counted as a team hit.

  1. To block an opponent's service is forbidden. 

  1. Back row players are NOT allowed to participate in a block contact.

Serving

  1. Only one toss or release of the ball is allowed. Dribbling or moving the ball in the hands is permitted. 

  1. At the moment of the service hit or take-off for a jump service, the server must not touch the court.

    1. After the hit, he/she may step or land outside the service zone, or inside the court.

  1. The players of the serving team must not prevent their opponent, through individual or collective screening, from seeing the service hit and the flight path of the ball.

  1. Receiving a serve with a set IS allowed.


Substitutions

  1. All teams are allowed 1 substitutional player for the duration of the tournament and must be registered at the beginning of the tournament.

  1. ABSOLUTELY NO recruiting other players from ANY other team during the duration of the tournament, NO EXCEPTIONS.

  1. In the case of an injury or emergency that is determined such by Dr. Gabe Polo, a team may play with 5 members.

    1. In the case of a player leaving early for any other circumstances, the entire team will be forced to forfeit their position in the tournament and will be disqualified.

Disclaimer: 

  • There are other rules of volleyball I hope you know that will be enforced that aren't included above, these are just the “extra” ones.

  • The players and referees are human and can and probably will miss a call, don’t argue. 

  • This is a church volleyball tournament: No unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated whatsoever. No foul language or coarse jesting will be tolerated whatsoever. Three strikes per team throughout the entire day and then your ENTIRE team WILL be disqualified. 

  • ALL RULES and CALLS are FINAL as stated above by and as well as ANY call made by an official referee during the duration of the entire tournament.

  • For any concerns or questions regarding rules or conduct, contact Gabriel Polocoser at (417) 861-0150.

  • Official Referee(s): Gabriel Polocoser