Grass Volleyball Rules
Official Play In The Bay Sport & Social Co-ed Grass Volleyball Rules
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
6's (3 men and 3 women)
Six player teams must have at least four players (minimum two females) on the court at all times. No more than 3 guys on the court. Teams with less than six players may have to adhere to the ghost rule (see below).
For the 6s league only the opposing captain has the option of instilling the Ghost Rule: In 6s, if a team has 5 players for example, they must forfeit their serve after every 5th rotation This will allow the team with a full squad to serve back-to-back.
Teams not able to field a full team, or minimum number, may play with the consent of the opposing captain and/or league staff member. If a team no shows or gives less than 24hr notice will be charged $50 and the funds will be sent to the offended team.
SERVICE POSSESSION
A team earns service possession for the start of the first game by winning a coin toss or a Rock/Paper/Scissors. The teams will then alternate service every other game.
ROTATION
Team members must rotate on the court and must remain in that position until the serve has been contacted. The player in the back right hand corner of the rotation will be designated to serve and continue to rotate clockwise.
* Serves that hit the net will no longer be faults! Serves that hit the net and continue over the net to the opponent's side of the net will be live.
PLAYING THE BALL
THREE CONTACTS
Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 successive contacts of the ball in order to return the ball to the opponent's area. (Exception: In the action of blocking an attacking ball, the touch, or contact resulting from the block attempt does not constitute one of the three successive contacts.)
ATTACKING THE NET
Only the three players that are in the front row of the rotation are allowed to attack the net. Violation of this rule would include any hitting or blocking that occurs above the plane of the net.
SIMULTANEOUS CONTACTS
When two non-blocking teammates touch the ball simultaneously, it is considered one contact, and any player may make the next contact. When two blocking teammates touch the ball simultaneously, it is not counted as a contact, and any player may make the next contact.
When two opponents simultaneously and instantaneously contact the ball over the net, the ball remains in play and the team receiving the the ball is entitled to another three hits. If such a ball lands out, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net from where the ball lands.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CONTACT
The ball can contact any number of body parts down to, and including the foot, providing such contacts are simultaneous and the ball rebounds immediately and cleanly after such contact.
HELD BALL
The ball must be contacted cleanly and not held, lifted, pushed, caught, carried or thrown. The ball cannot roll or come to rest on any part of a players body. It can rebound in any direction.
HAND SETS
A contact of the ball using the fingers of one or two hands to direct the ball toward a teammate is a set. The ball must come into contact with both hands simultaneously and leave both hands simultaneously to avoid a double hit call. A player may set the ball over the net in front or behind them only in the direction in which their shoulders are squarely facing. Rotation of the ball after the set may indicate a held ball or multiple contacts during the set but in itself IS NOT A FAULT.
ATTACKING THE BALL OVER THE OPPONENTS COURT
A player is not allowed to attack the ball on the opposite side of the net. If the ball is hit above the spikers side of the net and then the follow-through causes the spiker's hand and arm to cross the net without contacting an opponent or the net, the action does not constitute a fault.
BLOCKING
Blocking is the action close to the net which intercepts the ball coming from the opponents side by making contact with the ball before, during or after it crosses the net.
MULTIPLE CONTACTS
Multiple contacts of the ball by a player(s) participating in a block shall be legal provided it is during one attempt to intercept the ball. Multiple contacts of the ball during a block shall be counted as a single contact, even though the ball may make multiple contacts with one or more players of the block.
PARTICIPATION AFTER A BLOCK
Any player participating in a block shall have the right to make the next contact, such contact counting as the first of three hits allowed the team.
BLOCKING A SERVE
Blocking or attacking a serve is prohibited.
BLOCKING A BALL ACROSS THE NET
Blocking of the ball across the net above the opponent's court shall be legal provided that such a block is:
- After a player of the attacking team has spiked the ball, intentionally directed the ball into the opponent's court, or has exhausted their third allowable hit.
- After the opponents have hit the ball in such a manner that the ball would clearly cross the net if not touched by a player, provided no member of the attacking team is in a position to make a legal play on the ball
- If the ball is falling near the net and no member of the attacking team could reasonably make a play on the ball.
PLAY AT THE NET
PLAYER CONTACT WITH THE NET
No part of the body may touch the net at anytime unless a ball or person driven into the net causes the contact. Player contact with the net in a manner not directly relating to or affecting the course of play is not a violation. Contact with hair or part of the uniform will not be considered a fault.
SIMULTANEOUS CONTACT BY OPPONENTS
If opponents contact the net simultaneously, it shall constitute a double fault and the point shall be played over.
INTERFERENCE
Grass volleyball allows any and all parts of the body to cross the center line as long as there is no interference with the opposing player.
GAMES
During the regular season matches are to be played within time allotted (warm up time is included) The format allows for 3 games to 15 points (sideout scoring). You must win by 2 points, however, the score is capped at 17. Speed scoring will automatically occur if the staff deems it necessary.
REFS
ALL GAMES WILL BE SELF-REFFED. Be sure to record your score on the scoresheet for the PBSSC staff!