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Indoor Volleyball Rules

Game Format

  1. Standard Indoor Volleyball rules apply unless implicitly mentioned in this document
  2. Each team would field 6 players per set. The total number of players in a team (including non-playing reserves) could be up to a maximum of 8 players.
  3. Each team can have an indefinite number of substitutions.
  4. The Net height would be at 7′  11 5/8″ . This is the standard Men’s net height. Women players are welcome too.
  5. Each match will comprise of 3 sets of 25 points each. First team to win 2 sets, wins the match.
  6. The scoring will be based on a Rally Point System.

Tournament Format

  1. Pools
    1. There will be 2 pools of four teams each. Pool A and Pool B.
    2. Pool allocation will be done at the discretion of the Organizers based on known team ratings.
    3. Round-1
      • Teams will play with all other Teams within the same Pool
    4. Semi-finals
      • Top 2 Teams from each Pool in Round 1 will qualify for Round  2.
      • Winners of Pool A will play the Runners-up of Pool B and Runners-up of Pool A will play the Winners of Pool B.
      • Qualification for Round-2  will be based on
        1. Number of Matches won.
        2. If that is tied, number of games won.
        3. If that is tied, least number of sets lost.
        4. If that is tied, points difference.
        5. If that is tied, coin toss
    5. Finals
      • Winners of the Semi-finals will play the Finals
      • The losing teams in the Semi-finals will play for the third place.
      • No prize awarded for 3rd place. Special mention and bragging rights are included.
  2. Referee
    1. Each team will take turns in refereeing the initial pool matches. At least 4 people from each team would be the referees for each game.
    2. Clarification of rules and disputes
    3. In case of clarification of rules, check with Karthik Ramadoss or Peter Cyril Jones.
    4. In case of unresolvable dispute, the point will be replayed.
  3. Scoring
    1. Rally scoring will be used. There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
    2. Offense will score on a defense miss or out of bounds hit.
    3. Defense will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
    4. All Games will be played for best of 3 sets to 25 points each.
    5. Must win by 2 points.
  4. Rules
    1. Note: Standard Indoor Volleyball rules apply unless implicitly mentioned in this document.
    2. The Basics
      • Maximum of three hits per side.
      • Player may not hit the ball twice in succession
      • A block is not considered a hit.
      • Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve.
      • A ball touching a boundary line is good.
      • Ball should be played between the antennas. Any ball touching the antenna is considered as out of bounds.
      • A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and including the waist which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest.
      • If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play.
      • Playing the ball with the foot except for serve is legal.
    3. The Serve
      • Server must serve from behind the restraining line ( end line ) until after contact.
      • Ball may be served underhand or overhand.
      • Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.
      • Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for point.
      • First game serve is determined by toss/teams agreement, each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game loser.
      • Serve must not be blocked or attacked.
      • Note: An attack is defined as any attempt to send the ball directly to the opponent’s court while the ball is completely above the height of the net.
    4. The Rotation
      • Each team should file in a rotation order for their team before each set to the referee.
      • Team will rotate each time they win the serve.
      • Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.
      • Rotation faults would be adjudged. If a team is found at fault, it would result in a gain of a point to the opposing team.
    5. Switching positions
      • Players may switch positions after the ball is served.
      • If players switch positions in the front row, the person playing on the outside position should have his/her foot closer to the sidelines than the player playing in the middle.
      • If players switch position between the front and back rows, the person playing in the front should have his/her foot closer to the center line than the player playing in the back row.
  5. Basic Violations
    1. Stepping on or over the line on a serve.
    2. Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.
    3. Hitting the ball illegally ( Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc. ).
    4. Touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play.
    5. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play.
    6. Reaching over the net, except under these conditions:
      • When executing a follow-through.
      • When blocking a ball which is in the opponents court but is being returned ( the blocker must not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact). Except to block the third play.
    7. Reaches under the net ( if it interferes with the ball or opposing player ).
    8. Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10-foot line while in a back row position.
    9. Hitting the Ceiling: While the ball is at play and hits the ceiling, it is considered at-play as long as the team that played the ball to the ceiling hits the ball one more time within the allowable three touches before it sends the ball over to the opponent’s court.
    10. If the ball hits the side walls or interfering objects (like Basketball equipment) during play, it is considered out of bounds.
    11. Crossing under the net: No player may enter the opponents court under the net while the ball is at-play. A fault is called when any part of the foot of the interfering player crosses the center line.
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