Rule 4 — Teams

1. For Volleyball Canada: a team consists of a maximum of 15 players. All 15 players may be in uniform, they may participate in the warm-up, and they may sit on the bench or be in the warm-up area. Only 12 players will be registered on the score sheet and only these 12 players may participate in the match. The 12 players registered on the score sheet may vary from match to match as long as no more than 12 take part in any given match. During the pre-game warm-up, the first and second referee should verify collaboratively the player numbers (if the players are warming up with their game jerseys) and the team staff on the bench against those written on the score sheet. They should also verify the player uniforms at this time.

Because only team members are permitted to sit on the bench during the match and to participate in the warm-up session, no other person(s) can participate in the official warm-up session (Rule 4.2.2).

The team members participating in the official common warm-up session should be primarily on their own side of the playing area. During the official warm up at the net, it is permitted to stay in the opponent’s side of playing area close to the net, to prevent accidents with errant balls, but without disturbing the opponent players.

For FIVB, World and Official competitions: team composition may consist of 17 persons comprising of 12 regular players, among them up to two Libero players and five officials. The 5 officials allowed on the bench are actually chosen by the coach, provided they are listed on the O2-bis. For FIVB, World and Official competitions for Seniors: Up to 14 players may be recorded on the scoresheet and play in a match.

For FIVB, World and Official Competitions for Seniors, if the medical doctor or therapist are not included among team’s officials on the team bench, they may be seated on the place indicated by the FIVB Technical Delegate and they may only intervene if invited by the referees to deal with an emergency to the players. The team therapist (even if not on the bench) may assist with the warmup until the start of the official net warm up session. The Official Regulations for each event will be found in the Specific Competition Handbook. The referees must check before the match (during the official protocol) the number of persons authorised to sit on the bench, or to stay in each warm-up area.

2. For special FIVB events, in cases where more than 12 players will play, two Liberos are mandatory in the team list of the score sheet.

3. The coach and the team captain (who each check and sign the score sheet or team list for the electronic score sheet) are responsible for the identity of the players listed on the score sheet.

4. The first referee must check the uniforms. If they are not in accordance with rule 4.3, they must be changed. The uniforms must also look the same.

For Volleyball Canada competitions: the referee is to record all uniform infractions on the score sheet and inform the jury. The jury is responsible for enforcing the uniform rule.

For FIVB: Where possible, the shirts must be inside the shorts and if they aren't, it is necessary, at an appropriate moment, to ask the players in a polite way, to put them inside - especially at the beginning of the match and each set. Form-fitting shirts which cannot fit inside the shorts are always acceptable.

The team captain's stripe (8 x 2 cm) shall be fixed under the number on his/her chest in a way allowing it to be clearly seen during the whole game. The referees shall check it before the start of the game.

5. Before the match in due time, the referees must apply a careful cross-checking in order to control if the actual players’ numbers are according to the team roster recorded in the score sheet. In this way, any discrepancies may be discovered that may disturb later the normal flow of the game.

6. If the two teams appear with uniforms of the same colour, the team listed first on the official program and so listed on the score sheet (before the toss), shall change the uniforms. In the case it is not possible, the first referee should write on the remarks of the scoresheet this situation, but the match cannot be suspended for this reason.

7. Volleyball Canada: it is forbidden to wear objects that may cause injury or give an artificial advantage to the player. Regarding rule 4.5.1 "Jewelry must be removed or taped": In the event that there is a request to wear jewelry because of a protected ground as described in applicable human rights legislation (for example, disability, religion, etc.), a reasonable accommodation should be implemented to the point of undue hardship or reasonable justification. For example, referees can require jewelry be taped to the chest, or a compression top to be worn under the uniform to prevent the necklace from becoming a safety issue.

8. For FIVB: The team coaching staff (as approved in the Preliminary Inquiry) must conform to one of the following dress code options:

1. All to wear the team training suit and polo shirt of the same colour and style or,

2. All to wear dress jacket, collared dress shirt, tie (for men) and formal slacks of the same colour and style except the team therapist who may wear the team training suit and polo shirt.

This means that if the coach takes off his/her jacket or training suit jacket, all the other officials must take off their dress jackets or training suit jackets at the same time in order to be consistently dressed.