Volleyball Rules & Regulations

Tournament Format

  • The tournament will follow a knockout format.

  • All matches (except the final) will be played on a best-of-three sets basis. Each set will be played to 15 points, and a team must have at least a 2-point lead to win the set.

  • The final match will also be played on a best-of-three sets basis, with each set played to 25 points.

  • Rally scoring will be used — a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which team served.

  • Each team will consist of 6 players on the court and may have up to 6 substitutes.

  • There will be no positional rotation during play; only service rotation will apply.

  • Teams are allowed unlimited substitutions per set.

  • Each team is entitled to one timeout per set, with a maximum duration of 30 seconds.

  • The referee’s decision will be final in all matters.

• Wearing the official event jersey is mandatory for participation in all sports and activities. Participants without the official jersey will not be permitted to take part or qualify for any rankings or prizes.

Serving Rules

  • The server must serve from behind the end line until after contact.

  • The ball may be served underhand or overhand.

  • The ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.

  • A served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for a point.

  • The first game serve is determined by a volley; each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game’s loser.

  • The serve must be returned by a bump only — no setting or attacking a serve is allowed.

Playing the Game

  • A maximum of three hits per side is allowed.

  • A player may not hit the ball twice in succession (a block is not considered a hit).

  • The ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve.

  • A ball touching a boundary line is considered in (good).

  • A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player’s body above and including the waist without allowing the ball to visibly come to rest.

  • If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play.

  • A player must not block or attack a serve.

  • Switching positions is allowed only between front-line players after the serve.

  • All substitutions must be informed to the referee.

Basic Rule Violations

  • Stepping on or over the line while serving.

  • Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.

  • Hitting the ball illegally (carrying, palming, throwing, etc.).

  • Touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. (If the ball is driven into the net causing it to touch an opponent, no foul will be called.)

  • Reaching over the net except when executing a follow-through or when blocking a ball that is being returned by the opponent (the blocker must not touch the ball until after the opponent makes contact).

  • Reaching under the net if it interferes with the ball or an opposing player.

  • Failure to serve in the correct order.

  • Blocking or spiking from a position clearly not behind the 10-foot line while in a back-row position.