Rules of the Game

Format

• The winner of the pre-game coin toss decides whether their team will serve or receive.
• Each match is 3 sets to 21 rally points — a point can be won on an opponent’s serve. Teams must win by 2 points, with a 23-point hard cap.
• Games start on time, regardless of whether teams are ready, and end on time, regardless of what time they started or whether they’ve been completed.

Team Composition

• 4s leagues: teams must have 4 players on the court, with a minimum of 1 male and 1 female player on the court at all times.
• 6s leagues: teams must have 6 players on the court, with a minimum of 2 men and 2 women on the court at all times.
• All players must be present on the online roster at the time game sheets are printed.

Substitutes

• Substitute players are allowed, but must be added to the roster by noon on the day of the game.
• Any substitute players are expected to be of a similar skill level to the rest of the team.
• Substitute players deemed too advanced for the team or division may not be permitted to play by the referee or convenor.
• To be eligible for playoffs, all players must have attended a minimum of one third of the games, unless given express and demonstrable permission from league administrators.

Substitutions

• A player in the starting line-up may leave the game once and re-enter once in the same set, to their previous position. The player leaving may only re-enter in place of the player who substituted them.
• A team that is unexpectedly short during game time (regular season only) may ask players from previous games to substitute, under the following conditions:
  • The opposing team and referee must be notified before the start of the match and must give permission.
  • The substituting player must be an appropriate skill level for the team or division.
  • The team may only invite enough substitutes to field a team.

Defaults

• Teams must be ready to begin at their designated time. Players who come early to warm up must respect groups using the gym before them.
• If after 10 minutes a team does not meet the minimum player and gender requirements, they forfeit the first set.
• If after 20 minutes they still do not meet the minimum player and gender requirements, they forfeit the match.
• Forfeited matches are recorded as 21–0.
• Teams that default more than one match may be removed from the league without refund.

Service

• The server must complete the serve within 5 seconds after the whistle, as judged by the referee.
• The ball is in play if it touches the net and goes over to the opponent’s side.
• Serves may not be blocked or immediately spiked.
• Each server is capped at five consecutive serves (advanced leagues excepted).
• Players on the serving team may not obstruct the opponent’s view of the serve, server or ball trajectory.

Net Play and Attacking

• A blocker may touch the ball beyond the net as long as they do not make contact with the net or interfere with the opponent’s play.
• Players may touch the opponent’s court with a foot, as long as the front foot is touching the centre line and does not interfere with the opponent’s ability to play the ball.
• A block contact does not count as a hit — the attacking team is entitled to 3 additional hits.
• Players may attack-hit the ball from any position or location on the court.

Player Equipment

• Knee pads are recommended.
• Only clean, non-marking indoor shoes are permitted on the court.
• Teams may provide their own ball, as long as it is better than the league’s ball and properly inflated and kept.

See the General Guidelines for conduct and venue rules, or the League Format for standings, divisions and playoffs.