Rules

Basic Volleyball Rules for Playing the Game

• 6 players on a team, 3 on the front row and 3 on the back row.
• There must be a minimum of 3 females on the court at a time. *exceptions are made for some free agent teams
• Maximum of three hits per side
• A Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit)
• A block is considered when no attempt to spike the ball is made. 
• The Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve
• A ball hitting a boundary line is "in" 
• A ball is "out" if it hits... 
• the floor completely outside the court,
• the nets that separate the gym into two courts (sports dome)
• the ceiling, except when the ball is still on the hitting teams side
• It is legal to contact the ball with any part of a players body
• It is illegal to catch, hold, or throw the ball
• “Catch and release” setting is not allowed
• If two or more players contact the ball at the same time, it is considered one play and either player involved may make the next contact (provided the next contact isn't the teams 4th hit)
• A player can not block or attack a serve
• After the serve, front line players may switch positions at the net.
• Back row players may not jump above the net in front of the 10’ (attack) line, this included spiking and blocking.  
• In the event a ball from the other court comes onto your court the play will be dead and re-played.
• Games are played to 25, 25, 21. Three games are always played.  
• All games are rally scoring, meaning a point is recorded after every play.

Volleyball Rules Violations

The following are some basic volleyball rules for violations.

The result of a violation is a point for the opponent.

• When serving, stepping on or across the service line as you make contact with the serve
• Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully
• Contacting the ball illegally (lifting, carrying, throwing, etc. )
• Touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. Exception: 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.
• When attacking a ball coming from the opponent's court, contacting the ball when reaching over the net is a violation if the ball hasn't yet broken the vertical plane of the net.
• Serving out of order.
• Back row player blocking (deflecting a ball coming from their opponent), when at the moment of contact the back row player is near the net and has part of his/her body above the top of the net (an illegal block).
• Back row player attacking a ball inside the front zone (the area inside the 10 foot line), when at the moment of contact the ball is completely above the net (an illegal attack).
• When any part of a players body crosses the center court line. 

Rotation Rules

• Every player must rotate in and out consistently.
• No player may be skipped in rotation.
• A team may choose to rotate at either the 1 position (server) or 4 position (front left) but the position must remain consistent throughout the entire game. 
• Gender rules apply to rotating, at least 3 females must be on the court at all times. *exceptions are made for some free agent teams
• Each player must serve
• We do not play a libero position, each player must rotate through each position on the court.

Subbing

• Teammate substitutions are allowed during regular season games if teammates are unable to attend a game. 
• Substitutes are not limited to league players.
• Substitutes are not allowed for playoffs and championship games. All players must be rostered to play in playoffs and championship games.
• At least 3 players from the rostered team must be in attendance and playing for the game to be counted. If there are less than 3 rostered players the games will be forfeited.

These are the basic rules for this sport. Your league or tournament page will list the official rules for that event.