GENERAL VOLLEYBALL RULES

Rule 1 – General

1. The league is open to all students, faculty, and staff. There is a limit of 3 former collegiate players/club players, or current John Carroll University volleyball players. However, no more than 2 players from any of the above mentioned groups are allowed. For example, you could not have a total of 3 current club players, however, 2 current club players and 1 current JCU volleyball player is acceptable. Any team having at least one player in the above mentioned categories must play in the A division.

2. Net Height
   Co-Rec: 8 ft

3. Only the manager/captain may address questions concerning a player, the game or an official's call.

4. Non-athletic shoes and/or any item an official or supervisor feels may be a risk are not permitted to be worn during competition.

5. A team consists of six people, but a game can start with four players. Co-Rec: at least two males and females are required to start play. There can never be more males than females on the court for a team. Teams can play with as many as four females and two males.

6. "A" league substitutions: substitution rules follow the format of collegiate volleyball: if a player leaves the game, he/she may only enter the game for the player who replaced him/her.  Additionally, the libero rule is in effect: a player may play in the back row the entire game, substituting for opposite positions on the court.  The libero may serve for one of the positions.  The libero must obtain a jersey from the referee prior to the start of the game.

7. "B" league substitutions: unlimited substitutions -- however, substitutions may only take place on the serve, unless an injury occurs.
   NOTE: in Co-Rec, no substitution may occur which violates the positional rules.  Ex: a male player may not substitute if he would be next to another male player on the court.

Rule 2 – Serving

1. The first server of the game is the player in the right back position. Thereafter, when a team is awarded a side-out the player in the front right position rotates to the serving area.

2. Each team member shall serve in turn and may have one chance to hit the ball over the net on the serve. Server must wait for the official’s whistle before serving. A re-serve shall be called when the server releases the ball for service, then catches it or drops it to the floor. The official will cancel the serve and direct a second and final attempt serve. Only one re-serve is permitted per player, per turn in rotation at service.

3. The serve may make contact with the net and go over.

4. The server shall stand with both feet behind the rear boundary line. The serving area shall be behind the end line and from sideline to sideline. Both sideline extension lines are included in the width of the serving area.

5. The ball may be served underhand, overhand or sidearm and may be hit in any manner by the hand. A served ball may not be blocked or attacked by the receiving team.

6. Before the serve, all members of both teams must be in their respective positions on the court. After the ball is served, players may move out of any position except, a back row player may not attack or block from in the front of the 10’ line.

7. Alternate team serving: A coin toss will determine who serves first. Whatever team serves the first game, will receive serve the second game. If a third game is necessary, then a coin toss will occur to determine who gets the choice of serve or side.

Rule 3 – Playing Rules

1. When receiving the ball for service after a side-out has been called each member of that team shall rotate one person position clockwise.

2. A ball hit into the net, other than a serve, may be recovered provided a player does not make contact with the net or crosses the centerline.

3. A player may not play the ball in succession, unless played once by another player. Exception: One player can make contact with the ball twice if initial contact is a block.

4. A team must return the ball across the net with three or fewer contacts. A block does not count as contact.

5. If a player is hit by the ball or touched the ball, it is considered legal contact and to have been played. Legal contact is a touch of the ball by a player’s body which does not allow the ball to visibly come to rest or involve prolonged contact with a player’s body.

6. When the ball lands on the boundary line, it is considered in the court. It is legal for a player to run out of bounds and play the ball; however, a player may not enter another volleyball court to play ball.

7. Any ball that makes contact with the backboards or ceiling fixtures on opponent’s side before hitting a player will be considered out of play and a point or side-out should be awarded. However, a ball can be played off of the back board or ceiling if it has been played already.

8. The serving order and position on the court shall alternate male/female.

9. If a team contacts the ball three times, one of the hits must be made by a female.

Rule 4 – Fouls/Violations

1. The following are fouls or violations:

1. Serving illegally, or out of turn.

2. Touching the net or reaching under the net to interfere with an opponent playing the ball.

3. Stepping over the centerline into the opponent’s court; a player may step in the line.

4. Spiking or blocking the ball in front of the 10’ line when playing the back row position.

5. Contacting the ball twice in succession, unless the first contact is a block.

6. Catching or holding the ball while playing it.

7. Contacting the ball in an underhand motion with open hand or hands (slapping or scooping).

8. Failure to return ball over the net in three or fewer contacts.

9. A player that blocks or interferes with the intended set of the opposing team.