2015 Central Coast Volleyball Grass Classic
RULE BOOK
1. PLAYING AREA
1.1 LINES ON THE COURT
Boundary lines consist of two sidelines and two end lines which mark the playing court. They are
made of rope or wide flat bands or tape. The centre line divides the playing court into two square team
courts, but is not marked. All lines are considered to extend indefinitely.
It is the players' responsibility to assure that all lines are in their proper location prior to the start of each
play. Lines moved during play do not cause the rally to stop. If it cannot be determined whether a ball
lands in bounds or out of bounds, it is a replay.
2. NET AND POSTS
2.1 HEIGHT OF THE NET
The height of the net is 2.43 m for Men Doubles, 2.25 m for Women Doubles and 2.30 m for Mixed Fours, measured at the centre.
A net failure occurs when there is a sudden loss of net height or tension. If the net failure is the result of a
fault or does not affect the outcome of the rally, the rally counts. Otherwise, it is replayed.
3. BALL
Regular Beach Volleyball ball is use. It may be of any colour or multicoloured. .
4. TEAMS
4.1 COMPOSITION
Men Doubles: 2 players on the court per team, no more than 2 on the roster
Women Doubles: 2 players on the court per team, no more than 2 on the roster
Mixed Fours: 4 players on the court per team, no more than 5 on the roster. Any of these combinations on the court (4 females; 3 females + 1 male; 2 females + 2 males),
All competitions must involve teams with the required numbers of players. Teams with fewer than the
required number of players must forfeit. Females may compete in men's tournaments, but may not play
the male role in any other type of competition. Males may not play the female role in any type of
competition.
(Mixed Fours) - must contain equal numbers of males and females on the court at all time.
4.2 CAPTAIN
The captain is the one player who represents their team in dealings with the officials.
5. PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT
5.1 EQUIPMENT
A player's clothing must be presentable and appropriate for the competition. Players on the same team
are permitted to wear clothing of different colours and designs. Players may wear hats, visors or
sunglasses at their own risk. Players may play barefoot, in socks or in sport shoes*.
* Sport shoes may be worn but they cannot have any type of non-flexible cleats or spikes.
5.2 FORBIDDEN OBJECTS
It is forbidden to wear any objects that may cause an injury to a player, such as jewellery, pins, bracelets,
casts, etc. Players may wear glasses or flat-band rings at their own risk.
6. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6.1 PLAYERS
All participants must know the Central Coast Grass Classic Rules and abide by them.
Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of fair play towards the referees,
teammates, opponents and spectators. They must refrain from actions aimed at delaying the game or
taking unfair advantage.
Participants must accept referees' decisions with sportsmanlike conduct. In case of doubt, clarification
may be requested. A captain may protest the referee's interpretation of a rule, but not the referee's
judgement.
7. SCORING SYSTEM
7.1 TO WIN A MATCH
Preliminary Matches consist of best of 3 sets. A team wins a match by winning two sets, respectively. A match
consists of rally-point (each rally scores one point) sets to 15 points (win should be by two points
difference without limitation). The deciding set is 15 points (win should be by two points difference
without limitation). All Semis and Finals Matches are best of 5 sets, 15 points set.
7.2 TO WIN A SET
One set: 15 points, win by 2, no cap.
Deciding set: 15 points, win by 2, no cap.
8. PREPARATION OF THE MATCH
8.1 COIN TOSS
Before the warm-up in the first set and before each deciding set, the referee conducts a coin toss in the
presence of the team captains.
9. TEAM LINE-UP
9.1 ROTATION ORDER
The rotation order specified by the starting line up must be maintained throughout the game. (There is
an exception for doubles)
9.2 SUBSTITUTIONS
(Men & Women Doubles) - No substitutions or replacements of players are allowed.
(Mixed Fours) – Unlimited substitutions are allowed when the ball is out of play.
10. POSITIONS
10.1 PLAYERS' POSITIONS AT THE TIME OF SERVICE
Players must be in position within their court.
11. STATES OF PLAY
11.1 BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play from the service contact until the ball is out of play.
11.2 BALL OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play from the moment the ball lands or a fault is committed. The rally ends when a
referee halts play or the ball is out of play.
11.3 BALL IN (OR IN BOUNDS)
A ball is in when its first contact with the ground is on the playing court or a boundary line.
11.4 BALL OUT (OR OUT OF BOUNDS)
The ball is out when:
Its first contact with the ground is completely outside the playing court, and it does not cause boundary
lines to move; It completely crosses the net outside the posts or under the net after the attacking team's
third contact; or it touches an object out of play
.
12. PLAYING FAULTS
12.1 DEFINITION
Any playing action contrary to the rules is a fault
.
13. PLAYING THE BALL
13.1 TEAM CONTACTS
Each team is entitled to a maximum of three contacts to return the ball to the opponents. A player may
not contact the ball two times consecutively except during or after blocking or at the team's first contact.
Blocking does not constitute a team contact, and any player may make the first contact of the ball after
the block.
13.2 SIMULTANEOUS CONTACTS
If two opponents simultaneously and instantaneously contact the ball over the net, the ball remains in
play and the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits. If such a ball lands out of bounds, it
is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net from where the ball lands.
13.3 ASSISTED HIT
A player is not permitted to take support from a teammate or any object in order to reach the ball.
However, a player who is about to commit a fault may be stopped or held back by a teammate.
13.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTACT
A player may touch the ball with any part of the body. A player may have successive contacts with the
ball during a single attempt to make the team's first contact with the ball, provided that the fingers are
not used to direct the ball. The ball must be contacted cleanly and not held (including lifted, pushed,
caught, carried or thrown). The ball cannot roll or come to rest on any part of a player's body.
(Doubles only) If the ball is intentionally set into the opponent's court, the player must contact the ball
above his/her shoulders and must direct the ball perpendicular to the direction his/her shoulders are
facing.
When contacting the ball with one hand, it must be cleanly hit with the heel or palm of the hand (a roll
shot), with straight, locked fingertips (a cobra), knurled fingers (a camel toe) or the back of the hand
from the wrist to the knuckles. One-handed placement or redirection of the ball with the fingers (a cheat
or open hand tip) is a fault.
14. BALL AT THE NET
14.1 BALL CROSSING THE NET
A ball directed to the opponent's court must go over the net within the crossing space.
14.2 BALL TOUCHING THE NET
The ball may touch the net while crossing the net, except during the service. A serve that touches the
net is a fault.
14.3 BALL IN THE NET
A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the three team contacts.
15. PLAYER AT THE NET
15.1 REACHING BEYOND THE NET
While blocking, a player may touch the ball beyond the net, provided they do not interfere with the
opponent's play, before or during the attack-hit.
Within the limits of the three team contacts, a player may contact a ball that has crossed the net below
the net (or outside the posts) in an attempt to recover a ball that has not been contacted by the
opponents. The recovered ball must cross the net below the net (or outside the posts).
15.2 PENETRATION INTO OPPONENT'S PLAYING AREA
Players may partially or completely cross the centre line below the net or outside the poles, either
before, during or after a legal play of the ball, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent's
play. Incidental contact with an opponent is ignored, unless such contact interferes with the opponent's
opportunity to play the ball. While opposing players are not required to avoid the ball or the player, they
cannot intentionally interfere with any legal attempt to play the ball on their court.
If a player crosses the centre line and interferes with an opponent during the continuation of a play, it is
a fault
.
15.3 CONTACT WITH THE NET OR POSTS
It is a fault for a player or a player's clothing to touch any part of the net. Exceptions are:
Incidental contact of the net by a player's hair;
If a player's hat, visor or glasses fall off during play and then contacts the net;
When a ball is driven into the net or the wind blows the net and causes the net to touch a player, no
fault is committed;
Once a player has contacted the ball, the player may touch the posts, ropes or any other object outside
the total length of the net, provided that it does not interfere with play.
16. SERVICE
16.1 DEFINITION
The service (or serve) is the act of putting the ball into play by the serving player in the service zone.
16.2 SERVICE ORDER
If the serving team wins the rally or a replay is directed, the player who served the previous rally serves
again. If the serving team loses the rally, the next server on the receiving team serves the ball.
(Doubles only) If a player is discovered serving out of order, that player continues to serve with no loss of
points. The opposing team remains in their service order, but the offending team will reverse their
original order of service to ensure that no player will serve three consecutive terms of service. Excessive
misuse of this privilege is unsportsmanlike conduct.
16.3 AUTHORISATION OF SERVICE
It is the responsibility of the server to assure that both teams are ready for service. A player on the
receiving team may stop play when not ready for a service as long as no attempt to play the ball is made.
In this case, the rally is cancelled and replayed. Misuse of this privilege is unsportsmanlike conduct.
16.4 EXECUTION OF SERVICE
The server may move freely behind the end line. At the moment of the service or take-off for service, the
server must not touch the ground outside the service zone. The player's foot may not go under a
boundary line. After the service contact, the player may land on the court or outside the service zone.
The server contacts the ball with one hand or any part of the arm after clearly tossing or releasing the
ball and before the ball touches the playing surface.
16.5 SERVICE ATTEMPT
If the server releases the ball for service but does not attempt to complete the service motion, the
referee will cancel the rally and direct a replay. A player may only receive one such replay during any one
term of service.
16.6 SCREENING
The server's teammates must not prevent the opponents, through screening, from seeing the server or
the path of the ball. On an opponent's request, a player must move sideways, bend over or bend down.
17. ATTACK-HIT
17.1 DEFINITION
All actions to direct the ball towards the opponent's playing area, except in the act of serving and
blocking, are considered to be attack-hits. An attack-hit is completed the moment the ball completely
crosses the vertical plane of the net or is touched by a blocker. A player may contact an attack-hit at any
height, provided that contact with the ball is made within the player's own playing space.
17.2 ATTACK-HIT FAULTS
It is a fault when a player completes an attack-hit on the opponent's service, if the ball is entirely above
the height of the net.
18. BLOCK
18.1 DEFINITION
Blocking is the action of player(s) close to the net to deflect the ball coming from the opponent by
reaching above the height of the net.
18.2 HITS BY THE BLOCKER
The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the player who touched the ball at
the block.
18.3 BLOCK WITHIN THE OPPONENT'S SPACE
In blocking, the player may place his/her hands and arms beyond the net provided that action does not
interfere with the opponent's play. The player is not permitted to touch the ball beyond the net until the
opponent has made an attack-hit.
18.4 BLOCKING CONTACT
A blocking contact is not counted as a team hit. The blocking team will have three hits after a blocking
contact. Consecutive, quick and continuous contacts may occur by one or more blockers, provided that
these contacts are made during one blocking action.
When a ball is blocked back into an attacking player, the attacker is not considered to be a blocker.
Therefore, that contact counts as the first of the team's three hits.
19. TIME-OUTS
19.1 DEFINITION
A time-out is a regular game interruption. It lasts for 30 seconds. Each team is entitled to a maximum of
two time-outs per set. Successive time-outs may be requested.
20. DELAYS TO THE MATCH
20.1 DEFINITION
A delay is an improper action of a team that defers resumption of the match and includes:
Prolonging time-outs, after having been instructed to resume the match;
Repeating an improper request in the same match
Delaying the match; or
Delaying a substitution.
20.2 SANCTIONS FOR DELAYS
The first delay by a team is sanctioned with a delay warning. The second and any subsequent delay of
any type by the same team in the same match constitutes a fault and is sanctioned with a delay penalty,
which is the loss of a rally.
21. EXCEPTIONAL GAME INTERRUPTIONS
21.1 INJURY
If an injury occurs as the result of a fault or does not affect the outcome of the rally, the rally counts.
Otherwise, the rally is immediately cancelled and replayed. When no legal or abnormal substitute is
available, an injured player is given a five minute injury time-out. This will not be granted more than
twice for the same player in one match.
21.2 EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE
If external interference does not affect the outcome of play, the rally counts. Otherwise, the rally is
immediately cancelled and replayed. A shouted warning (such as "Ball !") is sufficient to affect the
outcome of play, provided that a player had a chance to make a legal play of the ball. Misuse of this
privilege is unsportsmanlike conduct.
22. COURT SWITCHES
22.1 COURT SWITCHES
Court switches are team exchanges of playing courts which occur at specified times during a game:
When the leading team reaches 7 points and also between sets.
In the deciding set, teams change court sides when the leading team reaches 8 points.
23. MISCONDUCT
23.1 CATEGORIES
Incorrect conduct by a team member towards officials, opponents, teammates or spectators is classified
in four categories according to the degree of the offense:
Unsportsmanlike conduct: arguing, intimidating, taking unfair or inappropriate advantage of player
privileges, etc.
Rude conduct: acting contrary to good manners or moral principles, interfering with an opponent's
ability to play, expressing contempt.
Offensive conduct: defamatory or insulting words or gestures.
Aggression: physical attack or intended aggression.
23.2 SANCTIONS
Depending on the degree of the incorrect conduct, according to the judgment of the first referee, the
sanctions to be applied are:
Misconduct warning: For unsportsmanlike conduct, no penalty is given but the team member concerned
is warned against repetition in the same set.
Misconduct penalty: For rude conduct, the team is penalized with the loss of one rally.
Expulsion: Repeated rude conduct is sanctioned by expulsion and the player must leave the playing area
for the remainder of the set.
Disqualification: for offensive conduct and aggression, the player is sanctioned by disqualification and
must leave the playing area for the remainder of the match. Disqualified players may be subject to
further sanctions by the Tournament Director.
23.3 SANCTION SCALE
Repetition of misconduct by the same person in the same set is sanctioned progressively.
Disqualification due to offensive conduct or aggression does not require a previous sanction
24. REFEREEING AND PROCEDURES
24.1 PROCEDURES
Hand signals are used to start a rally and voice commands used in all other situations. When used,
whistles halt play, authorise service or accept or deny a request.
The first referee authorises service by giving the signal for service which begins the rally. The first referee
halts play to end a rally provided that he/she is sure that a fault has been committed and has identified
its nature.
25. FIRST REFEREE
25.1 AUTHORITY
The first referee directs the match from the start until the end. The first referee has authority over the
team members. During the match the first referee's decisions are final.
The first referee has the power to decide any matter involving the match, including those not provided
for in the rules.
The first referee does not permit any discussion about match decisions. However, at the request of a
captain, the first referee explain the application or interpretation of the rules on which the decision was
based. A captain, having immediately indicated disagreement with the explanation, reserves the right to
submit an official protest of the incident at the end of the match. The first referee must authorise this.
---- 2015 CENTRAL COAST VOLLEYBALL INC. GRASS VOLLEYBALL RULE BOOK ----
CCVC INC.GRASS VOLLEYBALL RULE BOOK / JAN 2015/ V. 2
RULE BOOK
1. PLAYING AREA
1.1 LINES ON THE COURT
Boundary lines consist of two sidelines and two end lines which mark the playing court. They are
made of rope or wide flat bands or tape. The centre line divides the playing court into two square team
courts, but is not marked. All lines are considered to extend indefinitely.
It is the players' responsibility to assure that all lines are in their proper location prior to the start of each
play. Lines moved during play do not cause the rally to stop. If it cannot be determined whether a ball
lands in bounds or out of bounds, it is a replay.
2. NET AND POSTS
2.1 HEIGHT OF THE NET
The height of the net is 2.43 m for Men Doubles, 2.25 m for Women Doubles and 2.30 m for Mixed Fours, measured at the centre.
A net failure occurs when there is a sudden loss of net height or tension. If the net failure is the result of a
fault or does not affect the outcome of the rally, the rally counts. Otherwise, it is replayed.
3. BALL
Regular Beach Volleyball ball is use. It may be of any colour or multicoloured. .
4. TEAMS
4.1 COMPOSITION
Men Doubles: 2 players on the court per team, no more than 2 on the roster
Women Doubles: 2 players on the court per team, no more than 2 on the roster
Mixed Fours: 4 players on the court per team, no more than 5 on the roster. Any of these combinations on the court (4 females; 3 females + 1 male; 2 females + 2 males),
All competitions must involve teams with the required numbers of players. Teams with fewer than the
required number of players must forfeit. Females may compete in men's tournaments, but may not play
the male role in any other type of competition. Males may not play the female role in any type of
competition.
(Mixed Fours) - must contain equal numbers of males and females on the court at all time.
4.2 CAPTAIN
The captain is the one player who represents their team in dealings with the officials.
5. PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT
5.1 EQUIPMENT
A player's clothing must be presentable and appropriate for the competition. Players on the same team
are permitted to wear clothing of different colours and designs. Players may wear hats, visors or
sunglasses at their own risk. Players may play barefoot, in socks or in sport shoes*.
* Sport shoes may be worn but they cannot have any type of non-flexible cleats or spikes.
5.2 FORBIDDEN OBJECTS
It is forbidden to wear any objects that may cause an injury to a player, such as jewellery, pins, bracelets,
casts, etc. Players may wear glasses or flat-band rings at their own risk.
6. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6.1 PLAYERS
All participants must know the Central Coast Grass Classic Rules and abide by them.
Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of fair play towards the referees,
teammates, opponents and spectators. They must refrain from actions aimed at delaying the game or
taking unfair advantage.
Participants must accept referees' decisions with sportsmanlike conduct. In case of doubt, clarification
may be requested. A captain may protest the referee's interpretation of a rule, but not the referee's
judgement.
7. SCORING SYSTEM
7.1 TO WIN A MATCH
Preliminary Matches consist of best of 3 sets. A team wins a match by winning two sets, respectively. A match
consists of rally-point (each rally scores one point) sets to 15 points (win should be by two points
difference without limitation). The deciding set is 15 points (win should be by two points difference
without limitation). All Semis and Finals Matches are best of 5 sets, 15 points set.
7.2 TO WIN A SET
One set: 15 points, win by 2, no cap.
Deciding set: 15 points, win by 2, no cap.
8. PREPARATION OF THE MATCH
8.1 COIN TOSS
Before the warm-up in the first set and before each deciding set, the referee conducts a coin toss in the
presence of the team captains.
9. TEAM LINE-UP
9.1 ROTATION ORDER
The rotation order specified by the starting line up must be maintained throughout the game. (There is
an exception for doubles)
9.2 SUBSTITUTIONS
(Men & Women Doubles) - No substitutions or replacements of players are allowed.
(Mixed Fours) – Unlimited substitutions are allowed when the ball is out of play.
10. POSITIONS
10.1 PLAYERS' POSITIONS AT THE TIME OF SERVICE
Players must be in position within their court.
11. STATES OF PLAY
11.1 BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play from the service contact until the ball is out of play.
11.2 BALL OUT OF PLAY
The ball is out of play from the moment the ball lands or a fault is committed. The rally ends when a
referee halts play or the ball is out of play.
11.3 BALL IN (OR IN BOUNDS)
A ball is in when its first contact with the ground is on the playing court or a boundary line.
11.4 BALL OUT (OR OUT OF BOUNDS)
The ball is out when:
Its first contact with the ground is completely outside the playing court, and it does not cause boundary
lines to move; It completely crosses the net outside the posts or under the net after the attacking team's
third contact; or it touches an object out of play
.
12. PLAYING FAULTS
12.1 DEFINITION
Any playing action contrary to the rules is a fault
.
13. PLAYING THE BALL
13.1 TEAM CONTACTS
Each team is entitled to a maximum of three contacts to return the ball to the opponents. A player may
not contact the ball two times consecutively except during or after blocking or at the team's first contact.
Blocking does not constitute a team contact, and any player may make the first contact of the ball after
the block.
13.2 SIMULTANEOUS CONTACTS
If two opponents simultaneously and instantaneously contact the ball over the net, the ball remains in
play and the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits. If such a ball lands out of bounds, it
is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net from where the ball lands.
13.3 ASSISTED HIT
A player is not permitted to take support from a teammate or any object in order to reach the ball.
However, a player who is about to commit a fault may be stopped or held back by a teammate.
13.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTACT
A player may touch the ball with any part of the body. A player may have successive contacts with the
ball during a single attempt to make the team's first contact with the ball, provided that the fingers are
not used to direct the ball. The ball must be contacted cleanly and not held (including lifted, pushed,
caught, carried or thrown). The ball cannot roll or come to rest on any part of a player's body.
(Doubles only) If the ball is intentionally set into the opponent's court, the player must contact the ball
above his/her shoulders and must direct the ball perpendicular to the direction his/her shoulders are
facing.
When contacting the ball with one hand, it must be cleanly hit with the heel or palm of the hand (a roll
shot), with straight, locked fingertips (a cobra), knurled fingers (a camel toe) or the back of the hand
from the wrist to the knuckles. One-handed placement or redirection of the ball with the fingers (a cheat
or open hand tip) is a fault.
14. BALL AT THE NET
14.1 BALL CROSSING THE NET
A ball directed to the opponent's court must go over the net within the crossing space.
14.2 BALL TOUCHING THE NET
The ball may touch the net while crossing the net, except during the service. A serve that touches the
net is a fault.
14.3 BALL IN THE NET
A ball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the three team contacts.
15. PLAYER AT THE NET
15.1 REACHING BEYOND THE NET
While blocking, a player may touch the ball beyond the net, provided they do not interfere with the
opponent's play, before or during the attack-hit.
Within the limits of the three team contacts, a player may contact a ball that has crossed the net below
the net (or outside the posts) in an attempt to recover a ball that has not been contacted by the
opponents. The recovered ball must cross the net below the net (or outside the posts).
15.2 PENETRATION INTO OPPONENT'S PLAYING AREA
Players may partially or completely cross the centre line below the net or outside the poles, either
before, during or after a legal play of the ball, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent's
play. Incidental contact with an opponent is ignored, unless such contact interferes with the opponent's
opportunity to play the ball. While opposing players are not required to avoid the ball or the player, they
cannot intentionally interfere with any legal attempt to play the ball on their court.
If a player crosses the centre line and interferes with an opponent during the continuation of a play, it is
a fault
.
15.3 CONTACT WITH THE NET OR POSTS
It is a fault for a player or a player's clothing to touch any part of the net. Exceptions are:
Incidental contact of the net by a player's hair;
If a player's hat, visor or glasses fall off during play and then contacts the net;
When a ball is driven into the net or the wind blows the net and causes the net to touch a player, no
fault is committed;
Once a player has contacted the ball, the player may touch the posts, ropes or any other object outside
the total length of the net, provided that it does not interfere with play.
16. SERVICE
16.1 DEFINITION
The service (or serve) is the act of putting the ball into play by the serving player in the service zone.
16.2 SERVICE ORDER
If the serving team wins the rally or a replay is directed, the player who served the previous rally serves
again. If the serving team loses the rally, the next server on the receiving team serves the ball.
(Doubles only) If a player is discovered serving out of order, that player continues to serve with no loss of
points. The opposing team remains in their service order, but the offending team will reverse their
original order of service to ensure that no player will serve three consecutive terms of service. Excessive
misuse of this privilege is unsportsmanlike conduct.
16.3 AUTHORISATION OF SERVICE
It is the responsibility of the server to assure that both teams are ready for service. A player on the
receiving team may stop play when not ready for a service as long as no attempt to play the ball is made.
In this case, the rally is cancelled and replayed. Misuse of this privilege is unsportsmanlike conduct.
16.4 EXECUTION OF SERVICE
The server may move freely behind the end line. At the moment of the service or take-off for service, the
server must not touch the ground outside the service zone. The player's foot may not go under a
boundary line. After the service contact, the player may land on the court or outside the service zone.
The server contacts the ball with one hand or any part of the arm after clearly tossing or releasing the
ball and before the ball touches the playing surface.
16.5 SERVICE ATTEMPT
If the server releases the ball for service but does not attempt to complete the service motion, the
referee will cancel the rally and direct a replay. A player may only receive one such replay during any one
term of service.
16.6 SCREENING
The server's teammates must not prevent the opponents, through screening, from seeing the server or
the path of the ball. On an opponent's request, a player must move sideways, bend over or bend down.
17. ATTACK-HIT
17.1 DEFINITION
All actions to direct the ball towards the opponent's playing area, except in the act of serving and
blocking, are considered to be attack-hits. An attack-hit is completed the moment the ball completely
crosses the vertical plane of the net or is touched by a blocker. A player may contact an attack-hit at any
height, provided that contact with the ball is made within the player's own playing space.
17.2 ATTACK-HIT FAULTS
It is a fault when a player completes an attack-hit on the opponent's service, if the ball is entirely above
the height of the net.
18. BLOCK
18.1 DEFINITION
Blocking is the action of player(s) close to the net to deflect the ball coming from the opponent by
reaching above the height of the net.
18.2 HITS BY THE BLOCKER
The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the player who touched the ball at
the block.
18.3 BLOCK WITHIN THE OPPONENT'S SPACE
In blocking, the player may place his/her hands and arms beyond the net provided that action does not
interfere with the opponent's play. The player is not permitted to touch the ball beyond the net until the
opponent has made an attack-hit.
18.4 BLOCKING CONTACT
A blocking contact is not counted as a team hit. The blocking team will have three hits after a blocking
contact. Consecutive, quick and continuous contacts may occur by one or more blockers, provided that
these contacts are made during one blocking action.
When a ball is blocked back into an attacking player, the attacker is not considered to be a blocker.
Therefore, that contact counts as the first of the team's three hits.
19. TIME-OUTS
19.1 DEFINITION
A time-out is a regular game interruption. It lasts for 30 seconds. Each team is entitled to a maximum of
two time-outs per set. Successive time-outs may be requested.
20. DELAYS TO THE MATCH
20.1 DEFINITION
A delay is an improper action of a team that defers resumption of the match and includes:
Prolonging time-outs, after having been instructed to resume the match;
Repeating an improper request in the same match
Delaying the match; or
Delaying a substitution.
20.2 SANCTIONS FOR DELAYS
The first delay by a team is sanctioned with a delay warning. The second and any subsequent delay of
any type by the same team in the same match constitutes a fault and is sanctioned with a delay penalty,
which is the loss of a rally.
21. EXCEPTIONAL GAME INTERRUPTIONS
21.1 INJURY
If an injury occurs as the result of a fault or does not affect the outcome of the rally, the rally counts.
Otherwise, the rally is immediately cancelled and replayed. When no legal or abnormal substitute is
available, an injured player is given a five minute injury time-out. This will not be granted more than
twice for the same player in one match.
21.2 EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE
If external interference does not affect the outcome of play, the rally counts. Otherwise, the rally is
immediately cancelled and replayed. A shouted warning (such as "Ball !") is sufficient to affect the
outcome of play, provided that a player had a chance to make a legal play of the ball. Misuse of this
privilege is unsportsmanlike conduct.
22. COURT SWITCHES
22.1 COURT SWITCHES
Court switches are team exchanges of playing courts which occur at specified times during a game:
When the leading team reaches 7 points and also between sets.
In the deciding set, teams change court sides when the leading team reaches 8 points.
23. MISCONDUCT
23.1 CATEGORIES
Incorrect conduct by a team member towards officials, opponents, teammates or spectators is classified
in four categories according to the degree of the offense:
Unsportsmanlike conduct: arguing, intimidating, taking unfair or inappropriate advantage of player
privileges, etc.
Rude conduct: acting contrary to good manners or moral principles, interfering with an opponent's
ability to play, expressing contempt.
Offensive conduct: defamatory or insulting words or gestures.
Aggression: physical attack or intended aggression.
23.2 SANCTIONS
Depending on the degree of the incorrect conduct, according to the judgment of the first referee, the
sanctions to be applied are:
Misconduct warning: For unsportsmanlike conduct, no penalty is given but the team member concerned
is warned against repetition in the same set.
Misconduct penalty: For rude conduct, the team is penalized with the loss of one rally.
Expulsion: Repeated rude conduct is sanctioned by expulsion and the player must leave the playing area
for the remainder of the set.
Disqualification: for offensive conduct and aggression, the player is sanctioned by disqualification and
must leave the playing area for the remainder of the match. Disqualified players may be subject to
further sanctions by the Tournament Director.
23.3 SANCTION SCALE
Repetition of misconduct by the same person in the same set is sanctioned progressively.
Disqualification due to offensive conduct or aggression does not require a previous sanction
24. REFEREEING AND PROCEDURES
24.1 PROCEDURES
Hand signals are used to start a rally and voice commands used in all other situations. When used,
whistles halt play, authorise service or accept or deny a request.
The first referee authorises service by giving the signal for service which begins the rally. The first referee
halts play to end a rally provided that he/she is sure that a fault has been committed and has identified
its nature.
25. FIRST REFEREE
25.1 AUTHORITY
The first referee directs the match from the start until the end. The first referee has authority over the
team members. During the match the first referee's decisions are final.
The first referee has the power to decide any matter involving the match, including those not provided
for in the rules.
The first referee does not permit any discussion about match decisions. However, at the request of a
captain, the first referee explain the application or interpretation of the rules on which the decision was
based. A captain, having immediately indicated disagreement with the explanation, reserves the right to
submit an official protest of the incident at the end of the match. The first referee must authorise this.
---- 2015 CENTRAL COAST VOLLEYBALL INC. GRASS VOLLEYBALL RULE BOOK ----
CCVC INC.GRASS VOLLEYBALL RULE BOOK / JAN 2015/ V. 2
