▪     2 players on the court - 2 men, 2 women or co-ed.

▪     Each player must sign a waiver before his/her first game. Note : If you add a player to your team throughout the year, that player must sign a waiver before they play, even if it is only for one game.

▪     Should injury occur, a first aid kit (ice packs, band aids and tensors) will be provide in every equipment bag.

▪     The first set of games begin each night at 6:30pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure that your games start on time.

▪     If a team does not meet the minimum requirement five minutes after the official match start, they will default the first game by a score of 25-0. If the minimum requirement is not met fifteen minutes after the match begins, then they will default both matches.

3. Scoring

▪     You will play 2 games against two teams a night (4 games in total).

▪     Each game are played to 25 points with rally point scoring (ie. a point is scored on every serve) and must be won by 2 points, with a 27 point cap. One point will be awarded for each game won. If teams have the same number of points at the end of the season, the tiebreaker will be awarded to the team with the highest Spirit Score Average.

▪     It is the responsibility of both team captains to submit online the score of the games and spirits score by 5:00pm the following day.

▪     At the end of the last set of games of the night, the two captains are responsible for taking the net down and locking it up.

4. Referees

▪     All games are self officiated (no referees), so teams are required to call their OWN violations, and are expected to be honest and keep a high level of sportsmanship at all times.  If you feel your opponent is not being accountable, your team captain may politely intervene to discuss fouls called or uncalled.  We rely on your spirit of sportsmanship and honesty to keep the matches fun and enjoyable for all. If there is a dispute, please re-serve the point.

5. Play

▪     A player may never block a serve.

▪     A player may never open-handed volley a serve nor can a player execute an open-handed volley on first contact (every time the ball crosses the net, including free balls) with the ball unless it is hard-driven (the serve is never considered a hard-driven ball regardless of its velocity)

▪     A hard driven ball is classified as a ball hit with a full swing with very little arc.

▪     "Sets" that drift over the net are permitted.

▪     No lifting or scooping the ball or double hits.

▪     A block is counted as a hit.

▪     A ball may be volleyed over the net only if you are square to the direction of the ball.

▪     Maximum of 3 hits per side.

▪     If the ball lands on the line it is in.

▪     No Open Handed Tipping:  Players who contact the ball with one hand and are putting the ball over the net must cleanly hit with the heel or palm of 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 (locked wrist and locked fingers/knuckles.   One handed placement or redirection of the ball with the fingers (dink or open-handed tip) is a fault.

▪    In Open 2’s League only, each team is allowed one 30 second time out per game.

6. Player Rotations

▪     Rotate new players in before your team starts a new server. In 2's divisions, you do not have to rotate your players around the court, but you must rotate your servers.

7. Playing the Ball

▪     Players may play the ball off any part of their body, including feet.

▪     A player can not touch the net at any time during game (if you touch the net, it is the other teams ball). A player may cross the imaginary center line as long as they don't interfere with the play or get in the way of the opposition.

9. Serving

▪     Net serves are allowed (the ball is allowed to contact the net on the serve).

▪     A player may only have one toss per serve attempt.

▪     A server may serve the ball from anywhere along the baseline.

▪     Servers do not rotate after five consecutive points.

▪     The same server continues to serve as long as his/her team successfully wins the point.

10. Weather Conditions

▪     In sunny or windy conditions, where one side of the court offers an advantage, teams will change sides after every 10 points scored.

▪     Games are played rain or shine (but no lightning), cancelled games are not rescheduled. Always show to the game even if it's raining as the weather can change very quickly. At the start of the game the captains are to make the decision if the games are to be cancelled.  If lightning cancels any set of games the rest of the games are canceled for the night.

LIGHTNING POLICY: If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, games will be postponed. All participants must leave the playing area and seek shelter in a building or an automobile. Never stand under trees, in an open field or under an umbrella.  Games will resume 15 minutes after the thunder and lightning have moved away. If thunder and lightning are still present 15 minutes after, the game will be cancelled and the score counts as it was when the game was stopped. Halfway point of the game must be reached (13 points by one team) in order for the game to count towards the league standings.

11. Playoffs

▪     Playoff games are played the best two out of three games. The tie-breaker or third game is played to 15 points, but you must win by 2 points with no point cap. In the third game, teams are to switch sides when the first team gets 8 points.  Playoff Eligibility:  Each player must play at least half of the regular season games, in order to be able to play in the playoffs, unless it is cleared with the league convener. This prohibits teams from adding "ringers" to their teams for the playoffs.

▪     Any abuse, whether it be physical, sexual or mental is not acceptable in any manner.  If this kind of abuse is reported, the player or team will receive a verbal warning.  If a second incident occurs the player or team will be asked to leave the league or tournament without refund.   Teams are responsible for other teammates actions, as a teammate, please encourage good sportsmanship at all times.  Perpetual Motion Sports & Entertainment Inc. reserves the right to eject a player or team without a warning and without a refund.  Guelph Beach Volleyball League is a coed-league for everyone to have a great night out, lets keep it that way. Alcohol is not permitted at any game or event, offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. Playing while intoxicated is prohibited.