Rules
FIVB Rules
The following new FIVB rules will be implemented by Surrey Volleyball on 1st January 2009
Centre Line Modification
Touching the opponents’ court with any part of the body above the feet is permitted, providing that it does not interfere with the opponents’ play.
This means that, for example, a hand or knee can cross over the centre line; now only the foot remains prohibited from making contact completely across the centre line. There must, however, be no “interference” with the opponents’ play, or a significantly increased health and safety risk.
Net Contact
Contact with the net by a player is not a fault unless it interferes with play.
Examples of net contacts which are still considered as faults would include any contact with the top band of the net (or antenna) during any action of playing the ball. Contacts which either create an unfair advantage, or which hinder an opponent’s legitimate attempt to play the ball, would also continue to be penalised as net contacts. However, a setter who gently brushes the mesh of the net whilst playing the ball should no longer be penalised. Similarly, a blocker or hitter who brushes the net (on the way up or down) is no longer considered to be making a net fault, unless there is contact with the top band. Any “taking support” from the net – leaning into the net, or holding the mesh, or any action which significantly distorts the position of the top band of the net – is still a fault, as is any contact which prevents the opponent from being able to play the ball.
Referee Cooperation
The second referee may signal and whistle illegal back-court attack hits and blocks.
Surrey Volleyball Association – League Rules
Main Rules last updated 11.09.08. Note: there were changes and clarifications to the rules at the AGM held in June 2009 and June 2010. These were as follows:
2010:
a. The procedure for making a substitution was discussed - the old method for making substitutions still applies for SVA matches.
b. Clubs are reminded that, as per FIVB rules, two similar match balls must be provided. These may be either the new style volleyballs balls or the old style volleyballs.
c. A change to the rules was agreed:
In the event of a tie at the end of the season, the teams will be classified in order of:
1. number of matches won
2. sets-for less sets-against
3. number of sets won
4. the results of the matches between the two teams.
5. points-for less points-against
d. A change to the rules was agreed:
Rule 4a is now ‘a player may play for only one club in each of the following competitions during the season – Mens competition (Div1, Div2, Div3), Ladies competition, Mixed competition.’
e. It was felt that it would be reasonable for a player to request a transfer between clubs (e.g. because of moving house) if this occurred before February.
It was noted that there are no restrictions on players from other leagues (e.g. NVL) playing in the SVA league.
It was noted that the home team should provide the visiting team with a copy of the score sheet (for divisions where full score sheets are used) and that clubs must retain score sheets in case of a dispute.
Clubs are reminded about the new rule from last year: ‘teams must play 75% of the matches they are due to play during the season, otherwise all the matches are forfeit and the club deposit is forfeit’.
2009:
a. It was clarified that the playing time includes the warm up period of twenty minutes. The court must be booked for a minimum of two hours, and the first serve takes place twenty minutes after the start of the playing time.
b. Any delays should be recorded on the score sheet at the time when they occur
c. A change to the rules was agreed: if a match is to be replayed, the date of the new fixture must be agreed within fourteen days of the original fixture.
d. A change to the rules was agreed: teams must play 75% of the matches they are due to play during the season, otherwise all the matches are forfeit and the club deposit is forfeit.
e. Bonus points, or reasons why bonus points should not be awarded should be recorded on the score sheet at the start of the match.
f. The importance of arranging both the pre Christmas and post Christmas fixtures on a timely basis was emphasised.
g. It was also emphasised that all matches should take place during the season. This includes replays of matches, although it was recognised that dispensation would be needed for replays where the original match took place in the last two weeks of the season.
General Rules (as at 11.09.08 - the changes at the AGM held June 09 and June 10 are as above)
- Affiliation to the EVA
Clubs wishing to participate in SVA Competitions must be affiliated to the English Volleyball Association.
a. If a club fails to register with the EVA by 1st October (i.e. start of season) they will be warned to do so within one month and penalized five points per team.
b. Should they fail to register by 1st November, they will be fined £50 as a second warning.
c. Any club not affiliated to the EVA as at 1st December may be withdrawn from the League. - Clubs
a. Home venue
Clubs must register their home venue with the SVA.
The home venue shall meet the requirements for fixtures.
The home venue shall be within Surrey.
b. Nominal day of week and start time for home matches
Clubs must provide the SVA with a nominal day / time that their home matches occur.
c. Goodwill deposit
In order to guarantee payment of any fines imposed, each club must pay a £50 goodwill deposit to the SVA at the start of each season (refundable on withdrawal from the league at the end of the season). If a club is fined, the deposit must be “topped up” to £50 within 28 days, or the club will be barred from any further participation in the league.
Clubs that are persistently late in paying fines may be requested to increase their goodwill deposit to a maximum of monies outstanding. A team withdrawing during the course of the season forfeits its goodwill deposit - Teams
a. Clubs entering more than one team must rank their teams 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., in order of ability. This is required even if the teams are in the same league.
b. Entry fees are due by 1st September each year.
Starting in October, on the 1st day of each month, any team that has not submitted their entry fee or goodwill deposit will be fined an additional £5 and penalized five points. - Players
a. A player may play for only one club in the league during the season.
b. A player’s team within a club is determined by the first time he or she appears on a scoresheet during the season. If on that occasion he or she is playing up from a lower team, this must be clearly indicated on the scoresheet.
c. Players may transfer to a higher ranked team within a club. Players who have transferred into a higher team may not play for a lower team for the remainder of the season
d. Players from a lower ranked team may play either 3 matches or 10 sets (whichever occurs later) for a higher ranked teams without losing the right to play for the team with which they originally register. Should they play a 4th match or 11th set or more for a higher team then they will be transferred to the highest team for which they have played.
Clubs are advised that the requirement to comply with these rules regarding players playing up between teams and being automatically transferred into a higher team is their responsibility i.e. it’s an honour system and is not normally checked by the DIV Coordinator. If a complaint is received that a club is breaking rule 4 then it shall be reviewed by the relevant DIV co-ordinators. A possible outcome of the review would be the denial of this rule to a club in the next season, loss of points from matches affected etc.
e. Special allowance for men’s division three
Teams may borrow up to two nominated players from any higher ranked team (even from within division three) to play* a maximum of 3 matches each during the season.
Such nominated players must be notified to the DIV Coordinator prior to the start of the season and it must be clearly indicated on the scoresheet whenever such players are used. *N.B. “Play” means appear on the scoresheet.
f. Men cannot play in women’s teams, but women may play in men’s teams. - League Season
The league season will begin on October 1st and end on April 30th.
League matches may not be played outside this period, unless the Committee extends the season. Historically clubs have found the season becomes very congested towards the end of April due to postponements and rearrangements. - Start time for fixtures.
The start time of a match is defined as the time at which the pre-match warm-up starts
Weekday fixtures shall start between 19.30 and 20.30
Weekend fixtures shall start between 10.30 and 20.30.
Triangular fixtures (3 clubs playing versus each other on the same day) may be played only at weekends – and all three teams must agree to play two games on the same day. - Initial league schedule
The SVA will issue a fixtures schedule with a proposed week for all matches, not less than one month before the start of the season. This shall be based upon the information provided by the club regarding home venue day / time.
It is the responsibility of clubs to advise the SVA if there are specific dates that their home venue is unavailable at the nominal time / date provided by the club to the SVA. Failure to do so in sufficient time (6 weeks prior to the beginning of the season) may mean that the initial fixtures schedule may not meet their needs – for which the home team is thereafter at fault.
The SVA will enter the initial schedule onto the league republic website, showing teams, home venue, date, start time. A copy of the initial fixture schedule shall be kept by the DIV Coordinators for reference. - Intra-club fixture discussion at beginning of the season
It is recognized that after the initial SVA schedule is published there will be a period of discussion between clubs to establish a confirmed fixture schedule. This period shall end at the beginning of the season (1st October), so it is important that all club fixture secretaries are available during in September.
Where clubs are struggling to confirm fixture schedules then the following guidance is provided
In establishing a clubs fixture schedule the following practices will followed
a. Every effort must be made to play a match rather than “claim”.
This shall include in priority order
i. Playing the fixture in accordance with the initial schedule of the SVA
ii. Adjusting the date (within the half of the season of the original fixture) & time of the fixture at the home venue
iii. Playing the fixture at an alternate home venue, date or time.
If a team wishes to play a home fixture at a different venue outside the Surrey boundary, they must first gain the agreement of their opposition. Unless the participants agree otherwise, a valid fixture must take place inside the Surrey boundary.
iv. Playing the fixture at the away venue.
If option (iv) is selected then original home team shall remain responsible for officials, booking and paying for the court.
b. Resolution of incompatible fixture issues at beginning of season.
If a fixture cannot be mutually agreed by the two clubs then the issue shall be brought to the DIV Coordinator for resolution.
The DIV Coordinator shall review the case vs. 8a to determine if every effort has been made to schedule the fixture. If every effort has been made then the match shall be confirmed as per the original SVA schedule and whichever club is unable to fulfil the fixture shall be deemed to have forfeited the match.
The winning team will be awarded a 3-0 25-0, 25-0, 25-0 score with rules point.
The losing team will not receive a rules point. - Confirmed fixtures
Club fixtures secretaries shall enter confirmed home fixtures (opponents, date, start time and venue) onto the SVA League Republic website no later than
October 1st for matches scheduled before Christmas, and
December 11th, for matches scheduled in the New Year.
These details shall be emailed to the relevant DIV coordinator by the same date.
Any confusion caused by failure of the home team to correctly enter the schedule details in a timely manner onto the League Republic website shall be the responsibility of the home club.
On the 2nd October and 12th of December the fixtures on the league republic website shall be considered confirmed. A copy of the fixture schedule on the 2nd October and 12th December shall be retained by the DIV Coordinators for reference. - Requesting a re-arrangement of a fixture midseason
To request a re-arrangement of a fixture a club shall initially contact the opponents and see if a mutually agreeable change can be made – applying the principle of 8a. If an agreement is reached then this shall be forwarded to the DIV Coordinator for information and the website updated. There is no timescale (within the limit of the half of the season in which the match was originally scheduled) – only the requirement for the two clubs involved to agree.
If a mutually agreeable arrangement cannot be reached then the fixture in debate shall be forfeited by the team unable to fulfil the confirmed fixture. The winning team will be awarded a 3-0 25-0, 25-0, 25-0 score with rules point. The losing team will not receive a rules point.
a. Exceptional circumstances
Very rarely it may be that a circumstance beyond a clubs’ ability to predict means they are unable to fulfil a fixture. After applying 8a a club may request the DIV Coordinator under 10a. to avoid the full impact of 10. If agreed by the DIV Coordinator that the circumstances are beyond the clubs ability to organize then the losing team shall be giving a “losing draw”. They will be given 2pts for the un-played fixture (1 + 1 rules point). The result and winning teams points remains as per 8b.
It should be noted that under rule 10a the inability of a club/team to organize is not considered reason for requesting a rearrangement of a confirmed fixture – be it lack of officials, lack of players or even discovering that your home venue is not available at short notice (except for circumstances that can be demonstrated as being beyond the teams ability to forecast – for instance a hurricane makes the venue unavailable and efforts to find an alternate were to no avail). - Potential monetary costs from forfeiting a fixture
If a club forfeits a fixture then it may become liable for the costs of venue and officials incurred by a home club. Such costs shall be limited to £50 per forfeited fixture.
Providing sufficient notice to avoid a claim for incurred costs by opponents
Notice shall be given by sending an email to the club fixture secretary of the opponents copying in the DIV Coordinator. Proof of date of sending the notice shall be taken as the date the copy sent to the DIV Coordinator arrives.
Whilst it is the responsibility of the club fixture secretary to make their players, venue, officials etc. aware of the forfeited fixture the email sent to give notice shall be copied to any other members of the opponents that the defaulting team know.
a. If at least 21 days notice prior to the fixture is provided to the opponents then no costs shall be payable.
b. If at least 7 days notice prior to the fixture is provided to the opponents then no costs for officials shall be payable, but hall costs will still apply. - Court booking period.
Once a fixture is confirmed the home club shall book the court for a playing period of at least 2hrs. The start of this period is the official start time as shown on the website, i.e. the start of the warm-up.
Match Day Requirements - Time
a. Prompt start time.
It is the responsibility of both teams and the home club to ensure the prompt start of the fixture. Home clubs are responsible for ensuring the venue, court and officials are available on time. Teams are responsible for being on time.
Clubs are instructed that fixtures shall start promptly. If a team (home or away) is insufficient 20 minutes after the start time of a fixture then rule 13c shall be applied.
Clubs that attempt to play consecutive matches on a single court without the ability to extend the playing time of the second match (so that they also have 2hrs) are advised that they should stop any over-running match at the end of the first playing period and start the second match. If a second court is available (but not suitable for the match – quality of equipment, size of court room, lack of officials etc.) then the warm-up period (20min) for the later match shall be conducted on the alternate court to give the ongoing match a chance of completion. If after the later match warm-up is completed the ongoing match has still not completed then the match shall be stopped rather than impact the start time of the later match. This is the way to avoid the potential impact of rule 13d – late availability of the court.
b. Start time= start of warm-up time.
The start time on the website is the time at which the warm-up will begin.
The 1st 20mins shall be the warm-up period with 8mins of free warm-up, 4min of spiking through 4, 4 min of spiking through 2 and 2 min of serving. There are 2 minutes allowed after serving for coaches to talk to the team about tactics etc. If a team coach wishes to discuss tactics longer then that must be done within the 20 minute period – not by delaying the start of the 1st set.
Teams shall warm up together – there is no option for separate warm up periods on the court. After the warm-up the match shall start immediately i.e. teams shall have completed the score sheet and provided rotations etc during the warm-up period.
c. Insufficient teams at start of 1st set
If a team is insufficient at the start time of the 1st set then the 1st set shall be immediately awarded to the other team, 25-0. Each subsequent 20minutes will be adjudged to be the start of the next set, which will be forfeited by a team that is insufficient
So if the start time of the fixture was 19:00 then the effects would be
19:20 Teams are called to play
19:20:08 Insufficient team are warned for delay of game and set awarded 25-0
(in theory have to wait for the 1st serve)
19:40 2nd set starts
19:40:08 Insufficient team are warned for delay of game and set awarded 25-0
(in theory have to wait for the 1st serve)
20:00 3rd Set starts
20:00:08 Insufficient team are warned for delay of game and set awarded 25-0
(in theory have to wait for the 1st serve)
Assuming all three sets have now been given to the same team than the match is over.
This rule is applied in this manner so that should a team become sufficient (for instance some of the team were delayed by traffic etc.) then there will still be sufficient time to complete the match.
Note that after the loss of the 1st or 2nd Sets due to a team being insufficient as outlined above, the late team members will only have the time up to the start of the next set to allow warm up. They must be complete and ready to play by the given time for the next set or they will lose that 25-0 as stated. It is for the team to decide if their players have had sufficient time to warm up, and it is the player's sole responsibility if they choose to play if they have not warmed up properly. The match officials will not be responsible for any injuries incurred to any player due to failure to warm up.
d. Late arrival of officials, late access to the venue, late provision of net… etc.
The home club is responsible for providing the venue, court, equipment and officials. Late availability of
i. The venue or court = not available at the start time of the fixture
ii. The net = not available at time of going over the net in warm-up
iii. The officials = not available at start of 1st set
This may cause the playing period to be shorter than the minimum 2 hrs. The fixture shall start as quickly as possible – reducing the warm-up period by 50%. It shall then be played as far as possible – hopefully to completion. If it is not completed then, if possible a new fixture (continuing the match from score as of time of delay) shall be arranged in accord with the policy in rule 8a. If a new fixture cannot be arranged then the home team will be considered at fault and the match awarded to the away team – with sets and points required to complete the match from the last recorded rally being given to the away team. As the home club is responsible for provision of venue etc. the home team shall not receive a rules point. The away team shall receive a rules point so long as the conditions have been met.
e. Over-running the playing period
If a match overruns the playing period available court time then it may be replayed if a mutually agreeable fixture can be arranged. If replayed the fixture shall start afresh – with the score being 0-0 in the 1st set. If no mutually agreeable date can be found the match will be declared a draw. Existing set scores shall be entered but the league points allocation altered to give both teams 1pt plus a rules pt if the conditions are met. - Scoring of sets
Scoring shall be to 5 sets as per FIVB rules.
Std FIVB official score-sheets shall be used in accord with FIVB rules.
For the lowest men’s division is it acceptable to only record the set scores i.e. use a sheet of A4 but this is not encouraged. - Officials
The home team shall provide 1st & 2nd referees and a scorer. Line judges may be provided but are not required. If line judges are provided they shall be available for the entire match, the same number at each end and be of similar standard.
As a minimum the 1st ref shall be EVA qualified – though not necessarially registered
Referee’s are encouraged to “protect” less able members of the officiating crew. The captain of an abusive or “enthusiastically questioning” team shall be called to account immediately – and suitable sanction (yellow card etc.) be awarded rather than warnings be given to offending players. Teams are reminded that the officials are volunteers and if abused we will not be able to play – so expect 1st ref’s to be quick to punish abuse of officials. DIV co-ordinators are expected to give credence, and act accordingly, to defend any complaint by any official about a player, team or club.
For the lowest men’s division is it acceptable to have only one official (1st ref) but this is not encouraged. - Court, net, equipment etc.
The home team is responsible for ensuring that the court and equipment is suitable.
Only if there are repeated complaints from more than one away team to DIV Coordinator will any action be taken. Typically any decent sports-hall with sufficient room, adequate lighting and a sensible temperature is sufficient.
All matches are to be played indoors
Aerials are required for all matches
A first aid kit shall be available – including a cold compress (either from a freezer or a chemical kit).
The ball for the match must be in good condition – “like new”. It is recommended that teams have a specific ball used only for matches rather than select one from those used during warm-up.
Rotation slips shall be used – each team providing them to the scorer in good time before the start of a set (thus players must have suitable shirts with unique numbering). If a team chooses to use a Libero player, the Libero must stand out from the rest of the team wearing a uniform that is uniquely numbered and of a different colour. - Phantom players
If a team has fewer than six players present for a match, one (in men’s leagues) or two (in women’s leagues) phantom players may be included in the line-up. Phantoms are indicated on the line-up sheet by a zero and must rotate within the team. When a phantom is front-court, the team has fewer front-court attacker(s). When a phantom rotates round to serve, the team immediately loses its serve and the opposition sides out. The SVA envisage that phantom players will only be used as a last resort, in order to enable fixtures to be completed rather than abandoned. Teams should not go to a match knowing that they are short a player unless they have contacted the opposition beforehand and it has been agreed. - Reporting the result.
The home team shall directly enter the result onto www.leaguerepublic.com , including set scores, at the earliest opportunity after the match (ideally within 24hrs). Results entered later than 4 weeks after the fixture shall be cause for the home team to lose their rules point for the match.
A winning team shall receive 3 points, a losing team 0 points.
Additionally each team shall be given a rules point if all of the rules regarding pre-match and match-day requirements have been followed.
The away team shall be given a copy of the scoresheet at the end of the match. - Queries / complaints.
If there is any query or complaint regarding the fixture then this shall be raised with the DIV Coordinator ASAP (no later than 2 weeks after the fixture date). If the scoresheet is material to the issue a copy shall be sent to the DIV Coordinator. - Results of the league.
At the end of the season the results of all matches must be entered to the league republic website. This, barring any appeals, shall define the end of season standings for teams. - Trophies and medallions.
A trophy shall be awarded to the winners of each division
12 medallions shall be awarded to the winner and runners up of each division.
Trophies shall be retained by the winning club until the following years AGM.
Trophies from the previous season must be returned to the SVA at the start of the AGM.
Failure to return trophies may result in a club being fined – up to the cost of replacement (£100) - Automatic entry into next season league.
All teams in the league at the end of one season are assumed to be entering the league again the following season. Clubs entering or leaving the league (or entering more or less teams than last season) are required to notify the SVA committee by email at least 6 weeks before the start of the season. - Promotion / relegation
The SVA committee will determine the number of promotions / relegations that occur based upon number of teams entering the league. Typically this will be two up and two down – but the SVA committee will endeavour to make the divisions of similar size and the teams of similar ability.
Clubs wishing to request entry into a specific league (or to avoid promotion or relegation) are required to notify the SVA committee by email at least 6 weeks before the start of the season - SVA - AGM
After the completion of the season the SVA Committee will arrange for the AGM.
a. At least 2 weeks notice of the AGM will be given to club fixture secretaries so that they may arrange for a representative of the club to attend. Failure of a club to send a representative to the AGM will result in a £30 fine.
b. Raising proposals at the AGM.
Proposals must be sent to the SVA committee at least 7 days before the AGM.
The SVA committee shall distribute all proposals for the AGM at the beginning of the AGM (preferably sending them by email to all club fixture secretaries 7 days in advance of the AGM).
Proposals will not be raised at the meeting unless agreed by the Chair. This is intended to make the AGM meeting quicker rather than to restrict discussion.
c. Club representatives may vote on any proposal raised at the AGM – the number of their votes being one per team entered by their club in the previous season league. - Over-riding ruling of the SVA Committee
The SVA Committee governs the league.
If required a club may bring any matter relating to the league to the attention of the SVA Committee for a decision at any SVA Committee meeting or the SVA AGM.
The SVA Committee’s rulings are final.
If necessary the SVA committee may impose fines for failure to comply with the leagues rules. This is not a normal occurrence and requires a unanimous vote of the SVA Committee
Fines imposed by the SVA committee may be monetary (maximum total = £50) or league points (unlimited).
For persistent non compliance to the league rules the SVA Committee may bar a club or team from entering the league or expel a club or team from the league during a season. - Agreement to the Rules
Any application to participate in a league organised by the SVA constitutes acceptance of the above rules.