NJ Play Sports Co-ed Volleyball Rules

Co-ed 4v4 Volleyball Rules

NJ Play Sports General Rules (All Programs) 

General

• The scheduled start time of your game is when the clock will start. 
• We allow a 10 minute grace period. This grace period is for teams still getting ready, teammates running late, etc. "(Please keep in mind that the game clock will be running during the grace period)"
• After 10 minutes the game is officially ruled a forfeit. If the teams still want to play after the grace period is up, the referees and site managers will still run a game, but the game will still count as a forfeit for the standings.
• If an official is late or doesn’t show up, teams have a choice to self-officiate, mutually agree upon an official (team member or spectator), or allow a Site Manager to officiate the game. Games will not be rescheduled and will count as an official game.
• Games are rescheduled or refunded/credited in the event that NJ Play Sports specifically cancels a game. Reschedules and refund/credits do not apply in events outside of NJ Play Sports control (ie: excessive rainouts, forfeits, etc.) 
• All subs must fill out a waiver in order to participate in games. At least 50% of the players on the team must be on the roster. You may have no more than 1 bench player available, if you are inviting subs/guest players to the game. 
• Rosters: Each team can have as many players as they choose as long as they meet the league fee and gender specific qualifications. The roster deadline for every league is the night before the last regular season game. Once the last regular season game is played, no changes may be made to the schedule.
• *NJ Play Sports does reserve the right to make an exception for extreme cases, in order to avoid forfeits. 
• Roster checks will be conducted before the start of every game. Substitutes are allowed during the regular season.

Forfeits: 

If you know you may not be able to field a full team, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance and we will try our best to reschedule your game and avoid a forfeit: 

● Call: 973-358-5729 

● Email: nj@playsportsco.com 

2 Forfeit offenses = elimination from playoffs

3 Forfeit offenses = removal from league

Sportsmanship: 

NJ Play Sports is a community of social adult sports enthusiasts. We do encourage safe and healthy competition. Overly competitive players who are deemed to be excessively aggressive may be removed from the game and league without refund. 

NJ Play Sports has a zero tolerance policy in regards to abuse of any kind. Help us keep our community safe!

Volleyball Set Up

• 4 players on the court maximum, including  a maximum of 3 males players at any time
• 2 players, including a minimum of 1 non-male player required to start a game (can play 1 male/1 non-male)
• Each volleyball match consists of 3 head to head games (to 25 straight, rally scoring). Matches must be completed within the allotted time (60 minutes)
• There may not be any warm-up time on the court. Please come early and warm up on the side
• Any unsportsmanlike behavior may result in that player or team being suspended or removed from participating in all NJ Play leagues in the future
• Teams must forfeit the first volleyball game if 5-7 minutes have passed game time and they do not have enough players to start. Teams forfeit all games if they still do not have enough players after 20 minutes
• Games called after 20 accumulated combined team points will be considered final
• A team may rotate any number of players into the game in set order or choose to have a designated sitter for each game
• Carrying is illegal. A carry generally is any use of an open hand(s) while making contact with the ball that is not in a firm manner, but can be called with a closed fist at the referee’s discretion
• Any unsportsmanlike behavior will result in that player/team being suspended/removed from participating in all.

Refereeing

• 6v6 volleyball games are officiated by an NJ Play Sports referee. Volunteer refs are only required if the league ref becomes unavailable for any reason.
• 4v4 volleyball games are self-officiated. There may also be a Site Manager in the area to support any rule clarifications.

Game Time

• Rock, paper, scissors winner will determine starting choice to either serve first OR choose which side of the court they prefer to play on.
• Each Volleyball match will consist of three games. Each game will count in the overall standings for regular season standings (if you win all 3 games in a match, your record is recorded as 3-0 for the evening, not 1-0)
• All games are played to 25, rally scoring
• One time-out is allowed per game (one minute duration)

Uniforms/Footwear

• Team Shirts will be provided by NJ Play.
• Players can wear shoes or play barefoot by choice.

Game Cancellations

• Leagues may be canceled due to dangerous weather conditions, facility constraints or other unforeseeable reasons. NJ Play will not cancel games unless absolutely necessary, so you should always assume games are on unless you receive notification. If the games are canceled, NJ Play Sports will notify all team members via email.

Rules

Serving:

• Once ready for play (whistled for service) you may have 2 tosses if you allow the ball to drop but you have a 10 second time frame to serve the ball. The ball must be released from hand before contact is made. Play continues  until a whistle is blown for a violation (e.g., carry or player touching the net) or the ball hits the floor.  
• Let serves are allowed, and the ball can be played off the net on a serve.
• The server may not step on/over the end line until the ball has been contacted. The width of the service area is from sideline to sideline. The depth of the service area is infinite. If a player steps on or over the line, a fault will be called and it will be a side out
• The serve receive may never be blocked/spiked/attacked with an overhand gesture towards the ball

Service Receive:

• Players can return the serve by
• Bump pass
• Clasping hands together
• Closed fist
• Open-hand receive – You are allowed to set the serve
• Players cannot return the serve by
• An upper hand attack on the ball on the first hit. Contact with the ball must be made below the height of the net if it is to be brought back to the opponent's side of the court.
• Blocking

Hitting/Blocking:

• There is no gender hitting order.
• A player may reach over the net to block a ball:
• If any portion of the ball breaks the plane of the net
• After the offense has made their third contact with the ball
• Contact of the ball when spiking is legal only if a portion of the ball is in contact with the plane of the net or on the hitter’s side of the net. Hitters may follow through over the net after legal contact as long as they do not make contact with the net. The ball must be cleanly hit when spiking with an open or closed hand.
• Guiding or carrying is illegal
• No part of the body may touch the net at any time

Double Contact:

• Two people hitting the ball at the same time is allowed on the first ball over the net, as long as it is one attempt to play the ball. It does not matter if the other team served, spiked, bumped, or set the ball over the net. Double contact is not allowed on any contact following the first attempt.
•  

Rotation:

• Teams must rotate after every site out. This includes the first side out of the game.
• Teams may rotate in one of the following manners which must remain consistent for the entire game (teams may change rotation method from game to game within a match)
• Player for Player– A player who is out may substitute for a player who is on the court. These two players may only substitute for each other during the course of the game. Once you substitute in for someone, you may not substitute for anyone else. These two people may substitute an unlimited number of times
• Rotating In– All substitutes may rotate into one position on the court. You may not skip anyone unless it is due to gender rules. Teams cannot have a separate gender rotation. Rotation must do so in the same order throughout the course of the game

Basic Review:

• Serving - Once ready for play and is whistled for service, you have a maximum of 10 seconds to serve the ball. Ball must be released from hand before contact is made. Play continues until a whistle is blown for a violation or the ball hits the floor.
• Double Contact - is allowed on the first touch over the net as long as it is one attempt to play the ball. It does not matter if the other team served, spiked, bumped, or set the ball over the net. Double contact is not allowed on any contact following the first attempt.
• Carrying is not allowed. 
• A carry generally is any use of an open hand(s) while making contact with the ball that is not in a firm manner, but can be called with a closed fist at the referee’s discretion.
• Hitting the Ball - You can use any part of your body as long as it is not a carry. Although, all serves must be used with the player's arms.
• Touching the net - Players are prohibited from touching the net. 
• Underneath the net - If a player's hand or foot remains in contact with the plane of the centerline it is legal, but if half or more is beyond the line it is a violation. If any other part of your body touches the opposing court, it is also a violation 
• Reaching over the net - You can reach over the net as long as you do not touch the net, but the ball must break the plane of the net before you can make contact with it
• Reaching over to block a set is prohibited.
• Back row players - cannot spike or run up to block at the net. If a back row player wishes to spike a ball at the net, they must jump from their playing zone.

Playoffs

• Playoffs begin immediately following the end of the regular season
• No players will be allowed to be picked up during playoffs
• All players must have signed the waiver by the first week of the season and be on your roster in order to be eligible for playoffs
• Teams that have violated the forfeit policy during the course of regular season will not be eligible for playoffs
• Playoffs are single elimination and games are a best 2 out of 3. Games will be played with the same scoring as the regular season.

Standings/Ranking

• Ranking Points (Win: 3, Tie:1, Loss: 0)
• Win Percentage 
• Head to Head
• Points Against
• Power Index (Strength of Schedule Metric)
• If none of the above tie breakers resolve seeding issues there will a coin toss to break the tie

Forfeiture Penalties/Notification

• First Offense: Loss of game.
• Second Offense: Loss of game and removal from the playoffs.
• Third Offense: Removal from the rest of the schedule.
• If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, you MUST contact us by 2 pm at info@njplaysports.com. If your decision is not made until after 2 pm, you should still try to reach NJ Play, and we will make efforts to contact the other team. If we can reach them in time to keep them from showing up, no extra penalty.
• Once NJ Play receives notification of forfeiture, it is final, and the other team will be notified.

Sportsmanship

• NJ Play's ultimate goal is for you to have fun. Please keep this in mind while participating. While games may become intense, please maintain sportsmanship. Any behavior or abusive language to another player or referee, and is considered unacceptable by the referee, may result in suspension or ejection from a game or the league.