JAM rules for Volleyball - Court 6's (Recreational/Intermediate)

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Volleyball – Court 6’s (Recreational/Intermediate)

There are two formats of Court Volleyball under JAM Rules. The major differences between the two formats are game lengths. Matches are either 55 or 85 minutes in length and are comprised of three or five RALLY POINT games to 25 points. Any issue that arises that is not covered in the league rules should be settled by the two team captains. The issue should then be brought to the attention of the JAM so information can be added to the league rules. This rulebook will cover Mixed, Men’s, Women’s, and Open programs. 

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

Game Time

Matches are either 55 or 85 minutes in length and are comprised of three or five RALLY POINT games to 25 points. Check your specific program details and your online schedule for exact start and end times. The first two games will be played to 25 and teams must win by 2 points up to a max of 27 and the third game will be based on the remaining allotted time.  If there are at least 20 minutes remaining in the allotted time - the third game will go to 25.  If there is less than 20 minutes the third game will go to 15.  Teams must win by 2 points up to a max of 17 or 27.  Both team captains and the JAM Ambassador need to be included in the decision of whether the third game goes to 15 or 25.  All games must end on time.  No exceptions.

Time Keeping: The JAM Ambassador on site will be keeping track of time and will determine the end of your game. In this instance, you will receive a warning indicating the final five (5) minutes of your game, a ‘Last Serve’ call, and a final signal for the end of your game. Once the final signal occurs your game is over.

Changing Sides: Teams will change sides after each set.

 

Players

Teams are comprised of six (6) players with a minimum of two (2) women or gender minority and two (2) men or gender minority players on the court.  A default for the first game of a match will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time.  The second game of the match will be defaulted 20 minutes after the official start time and the third and final game of the match will be defaulted 30 minutes after the official start time (e.g., a team that defaults the first game, can still play the second and third games, providing that enough players eventually arrive). The roster size is unlimited.

 All players must be registered online. JAM encourages teams of 7-9 players to avoid default.

Roster Numbers: Teams are comprised of six (6) players with a minimum of two (2) women or gender minority and two (2) men or gender minority players on the court. 

Defaults: A default for the first game of a match will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time.  The second game of the match will be defaulted 20 minutes after the official start time and the third and final game of the match will be defaulted 30 minutes after the official start time (e.g., a team that defaults the first game, can still play the second and third games, providing that enough players eventually arrive). A team can play with a minimum of 5 people, as long as roster minimums are met. 

Exceptions: Captains can agree to waive the rules regarding roster requirements, but this must be decided before the game. If both teams agree, then the game counts.

 

Playing Area

All Volleyball matches will take place on a regulation-sized Volleyball Court.

Equipment/Set Up

All equipment (poles, nets, and balls) will be provided and set up on-site by JAM staff.

Teams are also responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person to keep track of the score.

 
Officiating

• All games are self-officiated. Players are responsible to make their own calls and keep their own scores.
• Teams should play fair and call their own fouls.
• Any reckless, aggressive, threatening, or unsportsmanlike behaviour will result in being ejected from the game. If this behaviour is repeated the player will be ejected from the league. If this is a team-wide issue, the entire team may be ejected from the league.
• the JAM Ambassador has the right to:
  • Warn a player
  • Ask a player to sit out
  • Ask a player to leave the gym
  • Recommend to the league that a player or team be ejected or suspended from the league
• Judgment calls by the JAM Ambassador are final and should not be protested or argued under any circumstances. Players or teams that argue with the Ambassador will be subject to suspensions or ejection from the league.
• JAM Ambassadors are not referees. They are there to supervise the games, keep the games running smooth and to ensure players are making the correct calls. They have the right to ask a player to sit out or leave the gym. If asked to do either, you must do so immediately.

 

Volleyball 101

The following outlines the basis of the rules of Volleyball 6’s Intermediate/Recreational Programs:

• Rally point scoring WILL be used during league play - you do not have to be serving to score a point. 
• Games are best of three in the 3 Set League and best of 5 in the 5 Set League.
• The first two games will be played to 25 and teams must win by 2 points up to a max of 27 and the third game will be based on the remaining allotted time.  If there are at least 20 minutes remaining in the allotted time - the third game will go to 25.  If there are less than 20 minutes the third game will go to 15.  Teams must win by 2 points up to a max of 17 or 27.  Both team captains and the League Coordinator need to be included in the decision of whether the third game goes to 15 or 25.
• A player may NOT block or spike a serve while returning a serve.
• Players CAN open-hand volley a serve.
• A server may serve the ball from anywhere along the baseline.  
• Net serves ARE allowed.  This means that if a serve hits the net but the motion of the ball carries it over the net, it is a live ball - it is not a service fault.
• A player may play the ball off any part of their body, including feet.
• A player may not touch the net during any part of the play.  Please call your own net violations.
• Rotate new players before your team starts a new server.
• A player may pass under the net as long as it does not interfere with the play.  In other words, a blocker or spiker may land under the net/cross the line, as long as it happens without stopping the play or hindering the opposition.  Please avoid doing this where possible to eliminate the possibility of injury.
• If time runs out in the middle of a game, whoever is winning the game at that moment is considered the winner.
• If 10 minutes have elapsed after the official start of the game and not enough players are present to field a team, the first game of the match is defaulted.  At 20 minutes after the start of the official start time, the second game is defaulted, and at 30 minutes after the official start time, the third game is defaulted.  Each defaulted game results in the loss of one (1) point in the overall standings.
• In Recreational leagues, servers DO rotate after five consecutive points. The same team continues to serve as long as their team successfully wins the point. Players must rotate clockwise through each position, but players can resume set positions (example: setter) once the ball is in play.
• In Intermediate leagues, players DO NOT rotate after five consecutive points.
• A ball that hits the wall or ceiling is out of bounds.
• A game can end in a tie during the regular season.  In the playoffs, matches are best two out of three or three out of five.  All sets are to 25 points (capped at 25). If a third or fifth deciding set is tied at the end of regulation time, teams will play one more point to determine the winner.
• Any team defaulting more than 2 matches may be asked to leave the league, with no refund.
• Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out per match if needed except during the final 10 minutes of play.
• Back row hitting is allowed as long as the player leaves the ground behind the attack line or does not leave the ground at all.
• When hitting, men or gender minority players are only allowed to leave the ground when hitting from behind the attack line. This includes front and back row men or gender minority players. Men or gender minority players can leave the ground to block the ball in the front row.

 
Scoring

• Rally Point Scoring - using this scoring system, a point is scored during any stoppage in play, unless it is a re-service. This means any team can score a point whether they are serving or not. Points are awarded to the opposite team when:
  • The ball touches the ground
  • A team has played the ball more than three times consecutively
  • The ball is held or pushed
  • The ball touches obstructions - such as basketball nets or ceilings
  • A player touches the ball twice consecutively
  • A player touches the net or a vertical marker on the antenna
  • A player completely crosses the center line
  • A player contacts the ball above the opponent’s court
  • A backline player, while in the attack area hits the ball into the opponent’s court from above the height of the net
  • The ball lands outside or touches an object outside the lines of the court
  • The game is delayed persistently (taking longer than five seconds to serve)
  • The players wave arms, jump, or form groups of two or more, the purpose of which is to form a screen to conceal the server’s actions
  • The served ball crosses the net with the help of a teammate
  • A service is blocked

 

Regular Season Matches

Games can be tied during the regular season.

 

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

There must be a winner in a playoff match. In the event that the match ends in a tie, teams will partake in the following tiebreaker until a winner is determined:

In the playoffs, matches are best 2 out of 3 or best 3 out of 5 (depending on program length).  All sets are to 25 points (capped at 25). If the deciding set is tied at the end of regulation time, teams will play one more point to determine the winner.

 

Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play.  This rule supersedes all others. 

Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely; players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.

 

Alcohol

There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted at JAM venues. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without a refund. No exceptions.