McLean Youth Volleyball follows the official United States Volleyball (USAV) rulebook with a few custom rules in our House leagues that we use to help players get serves in and promote multi-touch volleyball:

1. In grades 4 through 6, our refs set cones on the sideline that a player can serve from instead of the baseline. For 4th grade and 5th grade, we start with the cones 10 feet from the baseline (about 3 full steps), and 6th grade start with the cones 5 feet from the baseline (about one and a half steps). The court is 30 feet deep, so this is also 20 feet from the net or 25 feet from the net. Players can take one step across the cone when serving and a foot fault will not be called. Our intent is to help players get their serves in so that the opponent has a chance to receive the serve and play multi-touch volleyball as well. We expect coaches with players who can easily get their serve in to do so from the baseline to help with that player's development. Note that we tend to move the cones up later in the season as the player's develop stronger serves. 
2. In grades 4 through 8, we allow a player one redo if they miss their first serve. This is also with the goal of giving the opponent a chance to receive a serve and play multi-touch volleyball. 
3. In grades 4 through 8, we award a second point based on the rules described in the table below. 

Please note that these rules are implemented because we are a development league that wants to instill a love of volleyball in the players. We know the game really comes alive when players can play "team" volleyball where multiple players touch the ball and send it back over. We find it best when our opponent gets every serve in because that gives our team a chance for something special to happen that will make the players want to play volleyball for many years to come. 

RULE COMPARISON:

	4th-6th Grade (ES) House Girls & Boys	7th-8th Grade (MS) House Girls & Boys
Match Duration	60 minutes	60 minutes
Net Height	7’	7’ 4”
Ball	Volley-Lite (softer & lighter)	HS regulation
Service Line	25' fo 6th grade and 20' for 4th and 5th; marked by orange cones (about one and a half steps for 25', and 3 full steps for 20'). Players can take one step past the cones while serving. Foot faults not enforced. Players that can easily get their serve in are strongly encouraged to serve from the baseline to help with their development.	30' (regulation) with players allowed to take one step over line during serve; Foot faults not enforced.
Warm-up Period	10 minutes	10 minutes
Scoring	3 sets/games to 21 points (win by 2 points) starting at 0-0 using rally scoring. If time is short, the winner of the last set/game is the one with the most points when the countdown clock expires (win by 2 points not required)	3 sets to 21 points (win by 2 points) starting at 0-0 using rally scoring. If time is short, the winner of the last set/game is the one with the most points when the countdown clock expires (win by 2 points not required)
Extra Point Incentive	Extra point is awarded for any multi-touch combination leading to an immediate win - i.e. the opponent is not able to return the ball. 4th & 5th grades requires any 2 touches while 6th grade requires any 3 touches.	Extra point is awarded for a three-touch combination with the last touch involving an overhead arm swing leading to an immediate win - i.e. the opponent is not able to return the ball.
Substitutions	Continuous substitution	Continuous substitution
Re-Serve	Re-Serve if first service in a new rotation is bad	Re-Serve if first service in a new rotation is bad, One Re-Toss is allowed. Server can catch one toss per rotation.
Consecutive Service Wins	Maximum of 3 consecutive points per server rotation	Maximum of 3 consecutive points per server rotation
Time-Outs	Two 30 second time-outs per set/game	Two 30 second time-outs per set/game
Playing Time	Equal playing time policy	Equal playing time policy
Net Contact	Strictly enforced, unless ref is not sure about e.g. a touch on a hit or block	Strictly enforced, unless ref is not sure about e.g. a touch on a hit or block

 

	9th-12th Grade (HS) House	Select and Travel
Match Duration	60 minutes	90 minutes
Net Height	7’ 4”	7' 4"
Service Line	30' (regulation); foot faults enforced	30' (regulation); foot faults enforced
Ball	HS regulation	HS regulation
Warm-ups	10 minutes	15 minutes
Scoring	3 full sets/games to 21 points (win by 2 points) starting at 0-0 using rally scoring. If time is short, the winner of the last set/game is the one with the most points when the countdown clock expires (win by 2 points not required)	4 full sets/games to 21 points (win by 2 points), 5th set to 15,  starting at 0-0 using rally scoring. If time is short, the winner of the last set/game is the one with the most points when the countdown clock expires (win by 2 points not required)
Extra Point Incentive	No extra points	No extra points
Substitutions	Continuous substitution	Positional substitution (unlimited); Libero permitted
Re-Serve	No re-serves, one re-toss is allowed. Server can catch one toss per rotation.	No re-serves, One re-toss is allowed. Server can catch one toss per rotation.
Consecutive Service Wins	Maximum of 5 consecutive points per server rotation	No limit to service wins
Time-Outs	Two 30 second time-outs per set/game	Two 30 second time-outs per set/game
Playing Time	Equal playing time policy	Playing time at the discretion of coaches
Net Contact	Strictly enforced, unless ref is not sure about e.g. a touch on a hit or block	Strictly enforced, unless ref is not sure about e.g. a touch on a hit or block

 

BEFORE THE MATCH:

• As soon as the previous match ends, both teams walk on the court to begin warm-ups.
• The Lead Ref will introduce themselves to both sets of coaches, and will also identify the refs for the match by name. 
• The warm-up period is 10 minutes for 60-minute House matches and 15 minutes for 90-minute Select / Travel matches.  Teams share the court including any hitting or serving. Select / Travel matches can use less than 15 minutes to increase the chance of playing a fifth set. 
• During the warm-up period, referees call a captains meeting and flip a coin to determine which team serves first.
• A countdown clock attached to the scoreboard is used to track the warm-up period.

DURING THE MATCH:

• At the start of each set, the referee signals for players to take their positions on the court and start serving.
• At the start of each point, the referee signals for the server to proceed. The referee also signals the end of the play and awards a point (or a replay if appropriate).
• Each team is permitted to call two time-outs per set.  Timeouts are 30 seconds during 60-minute House matches and 30 seconds during 90-minute Select matches.
• After the referee signals the end of a set, both teams take a 2-minute break and switch sides.  
• The team serving first with each new set alternates between the two teams. A new coin toss is not required before the start of the last set.
• Referees utilize a countdown clock attached to the scoreboard to assess how much time is available to complete the match.

AFTER THE MATCH:

• The match ends when all games are completed or the countdown clock expires.
• At the end of match, the referee signals both teams to the baseline. Players and coaches on both sides form single file lines to shake hands under the net.  They then leave the court so the next teams can begin their warm-up.
• Match scores are reported by referees to the referee coordinator and uploaded to Otto Sport.

BASIC RULES OF VOLLEYBALL:

• Each team is entitled to a maximum of 3 touches to return the ball to the opponent.
• A ball may NOT be caught, thrown, held, or lifted.
• A player may not double contact the ball except for the first contact.
• A block of the ball at the net does NOT count as one of your three contacts and the blocker can touch the ball again after the block.
• Contact with the net by a player during the action of playing the ball is a fault. Our refs may not see slight touches on the net when a player is blocking or hitting, but they are instructed to blow the whistle whenever a player's body is making contact with the net as this is both a foul and a safety issue.
• A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the 3 touches, so long as the contact with the net is within the antennae.
• A ball touching the antennae is a fault.
• It is permitted to penetrate into the opponent’s space under the net, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent’s play.  However, completely crossing the center line with the foot, feet, or hands, or encroachment with other body parts, is not permitted if it presents a safety hazard to opponents.
• A ball hitting the net and going over the net is legal and in play, even on the serve.
• Blocking a serve is not allowed and a point will be awarded to the serving team.

THE PLAYING AREA:

• The lines on the court are considered part of the playing area.  If any portion of the ball falls on any portion of the line, that ball is IN.
• If during a volley, the ball hits the rolled-up gym divider, rafters, ductwork, or ceiling, and comes back to the team that hit it, they may continue to play it, as long as they are still within their 3 hit maximum.
• If during a service, the ball hits the rolled-up gym divider, rafters, ductwork, or ceiling, it is out-of-bounds.
• All basketball backboards, rims, and anchoring equipment attaching them to the ceiling are out-of-bounds. If the backboards are raised, they become part of the ceiling and balls touching them are playable.
• We make an exception for the basketball backboard on court 1 at Kilmer MS, as it hangs over part of the court. If a player's serve - from either side of the court - contacts the backboard, they get one redo per rotation. This is in addition to the redo the player gets on their first serve. We do not make exceptions for the backboard during the rally. Teams playing on court 1 should switch sides after each set as well (while we do not require this at any other court in the interest of playing as many points as possible).
• Walls, deployed court partitions and bleachers are out-of-bounds.
• The rest of the gym is considered playable.

TEAM RULES:

• Players and coaches are the only ones allowed on the court and sidelines.
• During game play, coaches may stand on the sideline with the rest of their team and give instructions to players, but cannot distract, disturb or delay the game. A coach who purposely delays the game to gain an advantage is issued a warning or loss of point penalty. Coaches and players on the bench should not stand or sit within six feet of the court when the ball is in play.
• Teams normally play with 6 players on the court. A minimum of 5 players are required to start a set. If a 6th player arrives, that player may enter the set immediately. When playing with 5 players, the team does not lose the serve when the 6th player “hole” goes to serve. The next player in the rotation simply serves.
• If a team has less than 5 players on the court 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, the first set is declared a forfeit and recorded as 21-0 for the opponent.  If a team cannot place 5 players on the court 20 minutes after the scheduled start, the entire match is declared a forfeit with each set recorded as 21-0 for the opponent. In a forfeit situation, teams are encouraged to split up available players and use the remaining match time to play for fun.
• There is an exception to the minimum of 5 players rule when one of the 5 players on the court sustains an injury during the match.  In such a situation, the current game and subsequent games are considered valid even if the team has less than 5 players.  However, this rule does not apply when a player voluntarily leaves the match early bringing the number of players on the court below 5.  In such a situation, the current set and any subsequent sets in the match are declared forfeits.

MATCH FORMAT:

• House matches are allocated 60 minutes to accommodate 3 sets. Select matches are allocated 90 minutes to accommodate 5 sets. For league standings, the winner of a regular season match is the team that wins the most sets during the allotted time.
• During the regular season, all 3 sets or 5 sets of the match are played, regardless of how many sets each team wins.  During playoffs, all matches are best 2-of-3 with the decisive third set played only if both teams have won one set.
• Matches begin on time throughout the day. Teams must arrive at the playing site at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.
• Referees are the official timekeepers and responsible for matches starting and ending on time. A countdown time-clock attached to the scoreboard is used to track the warm-up period and the amount of time remaining to play all sets.  
• The 1^st referee is located on wall-side of the court. The 2^nd referee serves as the score flipper opposite the 1^st referee.

SCORING:

• In rally point scoring, every play results in a point being awarded, except when the referee determines a replay. A serve into the net or out-of-bounds is a point for the other team. Let serves are considered good.
• 60-minute House matches play 3 sets to 21 points (win by 2 points).  90-minute Select matches play 4 sets to 21 points and a 5th set if possible to 15 (win by 2 points). All sets start at 0-0. 
• A set is won by the team which first scores at least 21 points with a minimum lead of two points. In the case of a 20-20 tie, play is continued until a two-point lead is achieved (22-20, 27-25, etc.).
• If the final set of the match is not completed when the countdown clock expires, the team with the most points is the winner of the set -- win by 2 points is not required.  If tied when time expires, the winner of the next point is the winner of the set.
• 4th-8th GRADE HOUSE SPECIAL RULE: At the discretion of the referee, an extra point is awarded to a team that executes a multi-touch combination that leads to an immediate win where the opponent does not legally return the ball over the net into play.  This includes situations when the opposing team initially controls the ball but fails to legally return the ball over the net and into play.
  • For 4th & 5th Grade House Leagues, ANY two legal touches that lead to an immediate win earns an extra point. 
  • For 6th Grade House, ANY three legal touches that lead to an immediate win earns an extra point. 
  • For 7th/8th House leagues, three legal touches that lead to an immediate win earns an extra point. However, the third touch must involve an arm swing above the shoulder and can be executed by a front-row or back-row player.  Rolls and tips/dinks are counted as hits, while forearm passes/bumps and two arm hand sets are not. 
  • The opportunity to earn an extra point on a multi-touch combination is nullified once the opposing team legally returns the ball over the net and into play.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• HOUSE LEAGUE SPECIAL RULE: To promote equally playing time, continuous substitution is played in all house leagues. Continuous substitution is defined as using the players on the bench and the players on the court as one continuous line-up with a player in a specific position leaving the court and the next available player on the bench entering the game into that position.  Substitution continues in this manner every time there is a rotation of players on the court, with the order of players in the entire line-up remaining constant throughout the game. Substitutions can be made in the same location either in the front row or back row, or both simultaneously.  If the coach elects to keep the same line-up for the next game, players on the court at the end of the previous game must start in the new game at the same exact positions.  If the coach elects to change the line-up for the next game, the first 3 servers cannot be any of the first three servers from the previous game.  Violations of this rule will result in the cancellation of all points scored by the serving team while the illegal substitute was in the game or a game/match forfeit.
• SELECT & TRAVEL LEAGUE RULE:  Follows standard USAV substitution rules with the exception of unlimited substitutions per game.  For those new to positional substitution, players from the bench can be substituted in for players on the court between points after making a request to the referee.  A re-entering player cannot be placed anywhere on the court for a given game – he/she must assume the original position in the serving order in relation to the other teammates (typically for the same player that replaced him/her on the court). Only if a player is injured can a substitute assume a different position on the court, regardless of where he/she substituted before.  If a team is using a libero, the coach needs to inform the referee and opposing coach prior to the start of the match.  The libero must wear a shirt with colors that clearly contrast with the team's uniforms. A libero is a defensive specialist restricted to performing as a back row player. However, the libero cannot block or attempt a block, and is not allowed to complete an attack if at the moment of the contact the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net.  

SERVICE:

• The server must always wait for the referee to signal for serve, prior to the serve. If a serve is executed before the signal to serve, the referee will signal a re-serve.
• Servers must always be positioned behind the end line prior to contacting the ball. The entire width of the court is available to the server. A foot on the line at the time the ball is contacted is a foot fault violation and will result in loss of serve and a point for the opposing team.
• If the ball, after having been tossed or released by the server, lands on the floor without touching the player, the server is allowed to re-serve. This is called a service tossing error. The server is allowed one service tossing error per serve.
• A team serving out of rotation will forfeit the serve and result in a point being awarded the opposing team. The rotation must be correct at the time of the serve.
• 4th-6th GRADE HOUSE LEAGUE SPECIAL RULES:
  • Elementary School servers are allowed to use the modified service line - marked by a cone - which is 25’ from the net for 6th grade and 20 feet from the net for 4th and 5th grade. The line may be moved back for 4th and 5th grade as the season progresses.
  • Overhand servers must serve from behind the baseline.
  • Foot faults are not enforced. 
  • Each player on his/her first serve in a new service rotation is allowed a first bad serve and then one re-serve.
  • With each rotation to the service position, a player is permitted a maximum of three (3) consecutive points won on his/her serves.  After reaching the maximum, the serve goes to the other team, with no point awarded to the other team.
• 7th-8th GRADE HOUSE LEAGUE SPECIAL RULES:
  • Middle School servers must serve from behind the 30’ end line.  One step into teh court is allowed during the first 3 matches of the season and should only be used by underpowered players.
  • Foot faults are not enforced.
  • Each player on his/her first serve in a new service rotation is allowed a first bad serve and then one re-serve.
  • With each rotation to the service position, a player is permitted a maximum of three (3) consecutive points won on his/her serves.  After reaching the maximum, the serve goes to the other team, with no point awarded to the other team.
• 9th-12th GRADE HOUSE LEAGUE SPECIAL RULE:
  • With each rotation to the service position, a player is permitted a maximum of five (5) consecutive points won on his/her serves.  After reaching the maximum, the serve goes to the other team, with no point awarded to the other team.
  • Foot faults enforced.

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

• Net height is no higher than 7 feet for the Elementary School leagues and 7 feet 4 inches for the Middle School and High School leagues.
• The standard court dimensions are 9 meters x 9 meters (about 30' x 30') on each side of the net.
• Referees are responsible for the set-up and take down of the equipment.

SPORTSMANSHIP

• As a recreational youth program, MYA Volleyball expects all players, coaches and spectators to demonstrate respect for others and behave with good sportsmanship at MYA Volleyball events in accordance with the MYA Code of Conduct signed by all participants during registration.
• We do not allow any distracting noises during a player's serve by the opponent's players, coaches, or fans. As noted at the top of this document, we find it best for players when an opponent gets their serve in so that all the players get a chance to play volleyball. This is true for all leagues, from 4th grade to HS Travel. The game of volleyball comes alive when a rally starts, and that can only happen when a player gets a serve in. Please note as well that we do not define any penalties for violating this rule because this is an easy rule for all participants to follow, and we are counting on all participants to not have to give us a reason to define any penalties. 
• Similar to the rule above, we do not allow any intentional screening of the server by front row players. This is another expectation that we do not define penalties for because it is a simple rule that we count on participants to easily adhere to. We expect coaches and participants to not have to give us a reason to define any penalties for this.