2023/24 Indoor Recreational Volleyball: 

Rules and Regulations 

Scheduling, Standings, and Playoffs 

Full schedule is available Here.

Teams will play at least once a week.

Standings: 

Win = 2 pts 

Loss = 0 pt 

Playoffs: The final two weeks of play will be utilized for playoffs. The top 4 teams will compete in the playoffs. 

Officiating 

All matches will be officiated. This is a recreational league and it is expected that each team will display good and fair sportsmanship. Should there be any grievances, the team captain will bring the grievance to the attention of Kelsey Walker, League Coordinator following the match. 

League Coordinator

Kelsey Walker – kelsey@btlsports.ca (519) 418-6864

Player Guidelines 

Players are expected to demonstrate respect towards opposition, the facility, their teammates, and the BTL Staff. Foul language will not be tolerated. 

Players are required to serve from behind the back line of the court. No step in will be allowed.

A player may use a jump serve; however, must take into consideration the skill level of their opponent. 

Each player may only have a maximum of five serves during a rotation. If a team maintains possession after these five serves, they must rotate to a new server.

The serve may not be blocked or spiked. A team may receive a serve with either a bump or volley. 

Teams will have a maximum of three hits to return the ball to their opponent; a block will not be considered as a hit. 

Players may use any part of their body to return/hit the ball. 

If a player spikes from the back court, they must take off from behind the attack line. Players may pass their hands above the plane of the net in the following scenarios: 

- while blocking an attack from their opponent 

- while spiking the ball - contact must be initiated on their own side 

If the ball hits the ceiling or any other structural component of the gym it will be considered out of bounds and result in the loss of point for the team who last touched the ball. 

Players must wear athletic shoes (not street shoes) 

Players are welcome to wear knee pads 

Jewelry is not permitted and must be removed prior to a match. Jewelry that cannot be removed may be taped over. Necklaces or bracelets which provide medically relevant information are permitted. 

Rosters and Subs : 

A team can have up to 10 players listed on their roster. 

A full team consists of six players on the court. 2 of which must be female.

All players must be listed on the team's official roster to play in the league. 

A team may bring in extra players prior to the start of playoffs, as long as they have been put on the team's official roster. To add extra players prior to playoffs please contact Kelsey Walker (using the above contact info) 

Following the roster deadline; suspected unregistered players may be challenged by the opposing team's captain. This can be done by speaking to Kelsey Walker (use contact info above if they are not at the facility). 

Upon completion of the challenge the following will occur: 

- if the challenge is successful, the team with the illegitimate roster will be given a loss on the standings 

o Further disciplinary actions may be taken as seen fit by Between the Lines staff. Players are responsible for having valid ID at the game. 

Violations and Penalties 

All players are expected to have a general understanding of the indoor volleyball rules. Teams should not be calling infractions for their opponent, this will be deemed as poor sportsmanship. All decisions regarding infractions and violations will be made by the referee. The referee’s decisions are final.

Violations: 

- a violation is an illegal play in volleyball that will result in the loss of point for a team 

List of Violations: 

- a player may not step on the end line during a serve 

- a player may not play the ball twice in succession, a block is not considered as a hit 

- a player may not cross the centre line completely.

- a player may not cross the line partially and interfere with their opponent 

- the ball may not come to a visible rest while being played by a player; this is referred to as a “carry” 

- a player may not palm or throw the ball while playing the ball; this is referred to as a “lift” 

- a player may not contact the net with any part of their body during a play 

- a player may not go over the plane of the net interfering with the play of their opponent; excluding the above-mentioned examples 

Start of Play 

Prior to the game, captains will meet and determine which team will begin with the ball. This will be determined by a coin toss or a game of rock, paper, scissors. 

A team can determine whether to start with the ball or pick a side. 

The team who did not start with the ball in the first game will start with the ball in the second game. 

For the third game captains will determine which team will serve by a coin toss or a game of rock, paper, scissors.

Game Format 

Teams will have approximately 5 to 10 minutes to warm-up (from XX:50 - XX:00). Teams are encouraged to use the walking/running track for any additional warm-ups. 

Games will be 50 minutes of continuous play. 

The net will be set at the regulation men’s height, 2.43 metres 

All matches will be best of three games. 

The first two games will be rally point scoring to 25 points. A team must win by two points to a hard cap of 27 points. 

The third game will be rally point scoring to 15 points. A team must win by two points to a hard cap of 17 points. 

If time runs out, a total of eight points must be scored in the third game for the score to be counted; otherwise it should be recorded as a tie. There is no need to be ahead by two points in this case. 

Teams are encouraged to use their full time of play whether a winner has been determined or not. 

Forfeits 

All teams are expected to have enough players to meet the minimum numbers at the start of the game. Any team not meeting the minimum number of players 10 minutes past the official start of game time will be subject to a forfeit. A team may lend players to their opponent. However, they must determine if the game will be a forfeit or an official game prior to playing. 

The forfeit score will be recorded as 25-0 in points and 2-0 in games. 

Teams are required to have a minimum of four players to avoid a forfeit. If they only have 4 or 5 players, 1 must be female.