Surrey Volleyball League Rules
Starting point: Volleyball Canada rules
Except in the case of SVL Amendments (see sections below), SVL gameplay follows the Volleyball Canada Volleyball Rulebook for the corresponding league type.
The current rule set is subject to change; it is each player’s responsibility to maintain current knowledge of rules. Exceptions for misunderstandings or unaware players will be at the discretion of the opposing team.
SVL’s general gameplay amendments
All rules as stated in the Volleyball Canada Rule Book shall apply with the following amendments:
- In unusual circumstances, teams may find it preferable to modify the official or SVL house rules to suit the situation. This can be accommodated if both teams agree, but this discussion should take place as early as possible. Reminder: any exceptions are limited to the current game only!
- Teams are responsible for refereeing themselves. Please be fair and honest.
- If both teams are not able to quickly agree on who should earn the point following a contentious situation (that is not defined in the rules), the most “neutral action” should be taken – typically, a re-serve.
- Teams may appeal this decision to a supervisor in attendance – if they do not choose to make an overriding call, the neutral action directive will remain in effect.
- Serious concerns should be reported to a night coordinator and/or league convenor as soon as possible.
- In coed divisions, male players should not block female players (including soft blocking) unless otherwise agreed upon by both teams. This is defined by any extension above the top of the net – including standing blocks.
- Subs should be players that are not registered with a current team in the same division (i.e. same night); however, exceptions can be considered by the Night Coordinators in the event of a mid-game injury.
- No “new players” may be picked up to sub for a team during playoffs. Subs eligible for playoffs must have played at least once with the same team during the current regular season.
- If a team is required to compete with less than a full lineup (see relevant section in Division-specific rules, and minimum amounts for each gender still applies), the following rules will apply:
- Full team less 1: Team is considered complete, but “Ghost Player” rules will apply until their 6th player arrives. The missing player may take their spot (See section on ghost players below).
- Full team less 2 (or more): Team is incomplete. If after 10 minutes from the time listed on the SVL website the team remains incomplete, the team will forfeit their first set 0-25. The incomplete team will continue to forfeit a set for every 20 minutes after the initial 10 minutes that they stay incomplete.
- Ghost Player: When playing with less than a full lineup (see above), an empty space must be left vacant on the court to represent the missing sixth player.
- The “ghost player" will be assigned a position – just like a standard player – and will participate in the rotation as normal.
- The “ghost player" must always have a position on the court during play.
- When the “ghost player" rotates to position 1 (where they would be serving), the team will automatically lose the serve and a point is awarded to the opposing team. The serve will also be given back to the opposing team.
Division-specific rules
Please refer to the section corresponding to your division’s type:
Coed 6’s
- A minimum of six players is required to register a team.
- There should be a minimum of two female and a maximum of four male players on the court. See General gameplay amendments section for details regarding incomplete lineups.
- Net height should be set at JV boys height (2.35m or ~7’9").
- There are no gender-based restrictions on hitting from the front row (i.e. all front-row players can hit in front of the attack line).
- Gender-based blocking restrictions are in effect – see General gameplay amendments for details.
- Regular-season game format: 4 sets total (all are required); each set is played to 25 points, and must be won by 2 with a cap of 27 points.
- Playoff game format (unless otherwise specified): best of 3 sets; sets 1 and 2 are played to 31 points, set 3 is played to 21 points (unless time permits and both teams agree to play a full 31-point set). Playoff sets are capped at 33, 33, and 25 points, respectively.
Men 6’s
- A minimum of six players is required to register a team.
- There should be a minimum of 5 players on the court at all times. See General gameplay amendments section for details regarding incomplete lineups.
- Net height should be set at varsity boys/men’s height (2.43m or ~8’0").
- Regular-season game format: 4 sets total (all are required); each set is played to 25 points, and must be won by 2 with a cap of 27 points.
- Playoff game format (unless otherwise specified): best of 3 sets; sets 1 and 2 are played to 31 points, set 3 is played to 21 points (unless time permits and both teams agree to play a full 31-point set). Playoff sets are capped at 33, 33, and 25 points, respectively.
Women 6’s
- A minimum of six players is required to register a team.
- There should be a minimum of 5 players on the court at all times. See General gameplay amendments section for details regarding incomplete lineups.
- Net height should be set at varsity girls/women’s height (2.24m or ~7’4").
- Regular-season game format: 4 sets total (all are required); each set is played to 25 points, and must be won by 2 with a cap of 27 points.
- Playoff game format (unless otherwise specified): best of 3 sets; sets 1 and 2 are played to 31 points, set 3 is played to 21 points (unless time permits and both teams agree to play a full 31-point set). Playoff sets are capped at 33, 33, and 25 points, respectively.
Reverse 4’s
- A minimum of four players is required to register a team.
- There should be a minimum of two female and a maximum of two male players on the court. See General gameplay amendments section for details regarding incomplete lineups.
- Net height should be set at varsity girls/women’s height (2.24m or ~7’4").
- Regular-season game format: 3 sets total (all are required); each set is played to 21 points, and must be won by 2 with a cap of 25 points.
- If time runs out during the final set of the game, one team must have scored at least 5 points to count as a set. If not enough points are scored, the set will be considered a tie and each team will be rewarded 0.5 points each.
- Rotation of servers is mandatory; however, rotation of court positions is not.
- Gender-based blocking restrictions are in effect – see General gameplay amendments for details.
- Attacks may be a hit, a roll, or closed-hand.
- Players are not allowed to tip (i.e. “open-hand tip”) a ball over the net. Players who contact the ball with one hand and are putting the ball over the net must cleanly hit the ball with the heel or palm of their hand (a roll shot), with straight, locked fingers and a locked wrist (a cobra), knurled fingers (a camel toe), or with the back of the hand (fingers/knuckles and wrist must be locked).
- Players may volley a ball over the net; however, volleys over the net must be square from shoulders and feet. Players may only block hard-driven balls.
- Male-specific rules:
- Male players may only initiate attacks from the back row.
- Male players can only block male players (this includes soft blocking women).
- The ball must fully pass over the opponents’ attack line if you are in front of your attack line.
- If completing a standard attack, male players are not allowed to begin their jump while on or in front of the attack line. They are only allowed to hit from in front of the attack line if the ball leaves their hand with an upward arc.
- Male players can jump from in front of the attack line to block another male player.
Season format and organization
Please refer to the section corresponding to your division’s type:
Coed 6’s, Men 6’s, Women 6’s
- Each team plays one game per night.
- Seeding occurs every three weeks.
- Teams will be reseeded after Week 3 and 6 and may be moved up or down between each tier.
- Regular-season games are always played to 4 sets; see division-specific rules for more information.
- Each team will be rewarded 1 point per set won.
- Teams will be reseeded into an 8-team tier for playoffs.
- Playoff games are played best of 3 sets; see division-specific rules for more information
Reverse 4’s
- Teams will play two other teams per night.
- Each team will play all three sets. Teams will be rewarded 1 point per set won.
- Seeding occurs every three weeks.
- During reseeding, teams may be moved up or down between pools based on their relative success.
- The league will consider records of wins versus losses, then the ratio of all points won vs. all points lost (since the previous reseeding)