Rules

• Ghost Player: When playing with five players, an empty space must be left on the court to represent the missing sixth player. The “Ghost Player” will start the game in 6-back 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” comes up to serve, the team will automatically lose the serve and a point and the serve will be rewarded to the opposing team.

SVL R4s Team Composition: 

• A minimum of four players is required to register as a team.
• There should be a minimum of two female players and a maximum of two male players making up the team of four and on the court.
• Subs should be players that are not registered with a current team in the league; however, exceptions can be considered by the Night Coordinators in the event of a mid-game injury.
• No new players may be picked up during playoffs. Subs for playoffs must have played at least once with the team during the current regular season.

If a team chooses to compete with less than four players, the following rules will apply: 

• 3 players – Team is considered incomplete and can compete with a minimum of two female players on the court. Ghost Player rule will apply. (Ghost Player: Opposing team will receive a point and serve after the end of the first rotation.)
• 2 players or less – Team is considered incomplete and will lose the first set 0-25. If after 10 minutes the team is still incomplete, the team will forfeit the game.

SVL R4s Format: 

• Teams will play two other teams per night. (2 games per night)
• All teams will play 3 sets to 21 points, capped at 21.
• Each team will be rewarded 1 point per set won. (A maximum of 3 points can be won per game.)
• 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 point each.
• Seeding occurs every three weeks. Teams will be reseeded after three weeks and may be moved up or down between each pool. The league will consider record of wins versus losses, as well as point differences between sets.

SVL R4s Rules: 

All rules as stated in the Volleyball Canada Rule Book shall apply with the following amendments: 

• Teams are responsible for refereeing themselves and recording their scores on the scoresheets at the end of each set. Please be fair and honest.
• A minimum of two female and a maximum of two male players must be on the court during game play.
• Subs should be players that are not registered with a current team in the league; however, exceptions can be considered by the Night Coordinators in the event of a mid-game injury. Please utilize our Facebook group and page to look for a sub if one is needed. If one cannot be found, please contact us as soon as possible to advise.
• Rotation of servers is mandatory; however, rotation of court positions is not.
• The ball may be contacted with any part of the body; however, a service receive must take place with the hand or the arm.
• The ball may be contacted no more than three times in succession by a team. A block does not count as a contact.
• Blocking or spiking a serve is not permitted.
• Players are not permitted to volley a serve, a free ball, or a non hard-driven ball (cobra, pass, or roll shot).
• Players may only volley a hard-driven ball. All other receptions must be an overhand pass with hands touching. (Definition of a Hard-Driven Ball: When a player attempts a full swing, with a follow through.)
• Attacks may be a hit, a roll, or closed-hand.
• Players are not allowed to 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 and must land over the attack line.
• 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.)
• Balls must fully pass over the opponents’ attack line if you are inside your attack zone. 
• Male players are not allowed to jump on or in front of the attack line on the 3rd hit; however, male players can jump from in front of the attack line to block another male player. 
• Male players are not allowed to hit the ball downwards if they are on or in front of the attack line on the 3rd hit. The ball must have an upward arc.

SVL R4s Additional Notes: 

• SVL will supply the following:
• Nets and Lines
• Game Ball
• Scoreboard
• Game Schedule
• Water
• Trash Bags/Bins for Cans and Garbage
• All teams are asked to check-in at the SVL canopy with an SVL Coordinator at 6:00 PM. Nets, lines, a game ball, a scoreboard, and the schedule will be supplied upon check-in. Teams are asked to assist with setting up the nets and lines, as well as take down. An SVL Coordinator will be available to assist all teams with set up and take down.
• SVL will make a rainout announcement by 12:00 PM on Monday if games are cancelled on our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram). If no announcement is made, games will proceed as scheduled. 
• Other items that SVL recommends players bring are:
• Lots of Water (SVL will have extra if needed.)
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Sunglasses
• Hats
• Speakers
• Camping/Lawn Chairs
• Canopy
• Cooler for Drinks
• Cover/Sleeve for Other Beverages 
• Players are asked to dispose of all their garbage before leaving. There will be recycling and trash bags/bins at the SVL canopy. 
• Players are permitted to bring their furry companions and are responsible for ensuring their companions are looked after during game play. 
  

  SVL Co-Ed 6s Team Composition

  •  A minimum of six players is required to register as a team.
  •  There should be a minimum of two female players and a maximum of four male players making up the team of six and on the court.
  • No new players may be picked up during playoffs. Players must have played at least once with the team during the current regular season.
    • If a team chooses to compete with less than six players, the following rules will apply:
      • 5 players – Team is considered complete and can compete with a minimum of two female players on the court. Ghost Player rule will apply until their 6th player arrives.
      • 4 or less players – Team is considered incomplete. If after 10 minutes the team is still incomplete, the team will forfeit their first set 0-25. If after 20 minutes the team is still incomplete, the team will forfeit the game.

  SVL Co-Ed 6s Format:

  • Seeding occurs every three weeks. Teams will be reseeded after Weak 3 and 6 and may be moved up or down between each tier.
  • Teams will play one other team each night.
  • All teams will play 4 sets to 25 points, with a 2 point spread, and capped at 27 points. (Exception: Set 4 may be capped at 15 points if the games are running behind.)
  • Each team will be rewarded 1 point per set won. 

   

  SVL Co-Ed 6s Rules:

  • All rules as stated in the Volleyball Canada Rule Book shall apply with the following amendments:
    • Teams are responsible for refereeing themselves. Please be fair and honest.
    •  A minimum of two female and a maximum of four male players must be on the court during game play.
    • The ball may be contacted with any part of the body; however, service must take place with the hand or the arm.
    • When receiving a serve, players may bump or set the ball. Blocking or spiking a serve is not permitted.
    • The ball may be contacted no more than three times in succession by a team. The block does not count as a contact.
    • Ghost Player: When playing with five players, an empty space must be left on the court to represent the missing sixth player. The “Ghost” player will start in the 6-back position 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 comes up to serve, 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.
    • Libero: The Libero is allowed to replace any player in a back-row position. He/She is restricted to perform as a back-row player and is not allowed to complete an attack hit from anywhere if, at the moment of the contact, the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net. He/She may not serve, block, or attempt to block. 
    • Libero Replacements: Libero Replacements are not counted as substitutions and are unlimited. There must be a completed rally between Libero Replacements.

  **HOUSE RULES**

   

  • Roof is playable at all elementary school gyms. If the ball contacts the roof on your team’s side of the net during your possession, your team may continue to play the ball. Roof does not count as a contact. If teams wish to not play roof, both teams must agree.
  • Male players should not permitted to block female players (including soft blocking) unless otherwise agreed upon by both teams.
  • Subs should be players that are not registered with a current team in the league; however, exceptions can be considered by the Night Coordinators in the event of a mid-game injury. Please utilize our Facebook group and page to look for a sub if one is needed. If one cannot be found, please contact us as soon as possible to advise.