Rules

NORTHERN GREENS

BEACH VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

RULES & POLICIES

1.  League Format & Standings *REVISED (Aug 2, 2024) 

The season will consist of a 1 week “pre-season” warm-up beginning the week of the May Long Weekend and ending the week prior to the Labor Day Weekend. The regular season will follow a round robin format, followed by 2 weeks of playoffs.  All teams make the playoffs. League standings will be updated on the score sheet and website every week.  Rankings for playoffs will be based first on league standings, then on head-to-head record, and then if necessary, on point differential during league play.

Each team will play three matches per night against three different opponents.  Each match will consist of two full sets (or “games”) to 21.  (i.e. total of 6 games per night)

     

***IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BOTH TEAM CAPTAINS TO RECORD THE SCORES AND SUBMIT THE SCORESHEET TO THE CLUBHOUSE FRONT DESK.  IF THIS DOES NOT OCCUR, A LOSS WILL BE RECORDED.  NO EXCEPTIONS! 

2. Game Times & Scoring:

Please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure that your games start on time. You should play 2 rally point games to 21. You must win by 2 points, but there is a cap at 25 (i.e. final score of 25-24). If a match concludes early, the teams may continue to play, but the score of the third game will not be recorded. 

3.  Players / Eligibility:

CO-ED 6=s: Teams are comprised of six (6) players with a minimum of two (2) women and four players on the court at all times, unless you have only 4 or 5 players show up; in which case you need a minimum of 1 girl on the court at all times.  If you have six players but only one girl you must have one player sit off and substitute in. i.e. you will play with only 5 players on the court.

CO-ED 4=s:  Teams are comprised of four (4) players with a minimum of one (1) woman on the court at all times. A team can play with a minimum of 3 people, as long as at least one (1) player is a woman

 All players must be listed on the team roster and must submit a waiver before stepping onto the courts.  Players must have participated in at least two league games to be eligible for the playoffs.  Additional players or drop ins should fill out a waiver at the front desk before play begins. There is no charge for subs.

4.  Defaults

A default for the first set (game) of a match will occur if any team cannot field a team within 5 minutes of the official start time.  (See >Players per Team= for minimum numbers.) At 20 minutes after the official start time, the second game is defaulted.  

5.  Lightning / Rain/Holidays 

League games are played rain or shine, except in the case of lightning.   All players must show up for all league games, regardless of the weather.  If lightning should occur, a group decision will be made as to whether or not to wait it out.  In such cases the final score will be recorded as is, and any unplayed games will be reported as a >rainout= (0 points).   Games cancelled due to weather will not be rescheduled or refunded. If less than 4 teams show up due to bad weather the scores will NOT be counted.

Note: If your league night falls on a civic holiday. Games will NOT be counted if less than 4 teams are present.

6.  Equipment:

It is the responsibility of the first TEAM CAPTAIN to arrive to sign out the volleyballs and scoreboards from the Clubhouse at the beginning of each night, and to return them at the end of the night. Please take care of the equipment.

7.  Facilities:

Northern Greens is committed to maintaining clean and safe beach volleyball facilities for your pleasure for years to come.  As such, we request that you show the utmost respect for your playing area:

- Please pick up your trash and belongings prior to leaving.

- Please do not use profanity in public spaces.  (This is a Family Fun Centre!)

_ Drinking of alcoholic beverages on Northern Greens property, by players or spectators, is not permitted.  Repeat offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund: no exceptions! 

_ No smoking/vaping on or near the beach courts

_ Vehicles may be parked in the main parking lot near club house or on the grassy area opposite the courts. Please leave the driveway clear.

_ Washrooms are available for your use inside the Clubhouse. 

General Playing Rules:

i. Rally point scoring will be used throughout the league.  

ii. A player may NOT block or spike a serve. 

iii. Players may open-hand volley on a serve-return. 

iv. A server may serve the ball from anywhere along the baseline. But must serve with the hand.

v. A player may play the ball off any part of his/her body, including the feet. 

vi. A player may not touch the top of the net during any part of the play. Please call your own net violations. 

vii. A player may pass under the net as long as it does not interfere with the play, however please avoid doing this where possible to eliminate the chance of injury.  

viii. A player may not reach over the plane of the net to play a ball unless that ball is being directed by the other team to the opposing side.

ix. Rotate new players in before your team starts a new server.

x. Net serves ARE allowed.  This means that if a serve hits the net but the motion of the ball carries it over the net, it is a live ball; it is not a service fault.  

xi. Teams may call a one minute time-out per match if needed. 

xii. Rec. Leagues only:  Servers must rotate after five consecutive points.  

xiii. Thursday Competitive League only:  No open hand tips allowed. Please note that when volleying across the net, the shoulders of the player volleying must be facing the direction of the intended target. (facing one direction and volleying in another is a fault.)


Please note that there are no official International (FIVB), National (Volleyball Canada) or Provincial (OVA) Beach Volleyball rules for 4s or 6s. The only official rules are for 2s since it’s played in the Olympics. As such, the league rules listed above are a combination of various court and beach volleyball rules aimed at allowing maximum participation and enjoyment.


xiv. Discrepancies: All games are self-refereed. Any disputes will be discussed amongst the two team captains. Please play honestly and call your own infractions (lift, net, etc). If a dispute cannot be settled the point should be replayed.


NORTHERN GREENS BEACH VOLLEYBALL

TEAM CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES


Thank you for taking the initiative to enter a team in NORTHERN GREENS’ Beach Volleyball League!  We look forward to an exciting season with you and your team.  In order to help the league run as smoothly as possible, please familiarize yourself with the following:

1) Team Captains must: 

2) Reporting Scores: It is the team captain's responsibility to RECORD the scores of each game (win OR lose) on the score sheet after each match. Scores not reported will be recorded as a loss.  Please do not leave the courts until the final scores of each game have been agreed upon by both teams. 

3)  Cancelling due to Lightning:  

Remember that all games are to be played RAIN or SHINE, except in the case of lightning. Games that are cancelled due to inclement weather will not be rescheduled or refunded. If a league coordinator is not present to cancel play due to violent weather it is the responsibility of the team captains to make the decision to halt play temporarily or for the night. If less than 4 teams show up to play in bad weather or on a civic holiday the scores for that night will not count toward standings.



HAVE FUN !  PLAY HARD!!!