Volleyball Rules

Dallas Parochial League
Volleyball Rules and Regulations
Originated: August 2000
Revised: July 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.	PURPOSE
2.	OVERVIEW

3.		SUMMARY OF MOST COMMON RULES AND REGULATIONS	5
	3.1.	ELIGIBILITY	5
	3.2.	RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHES AND OFFICIALS	5
	3.3.	UNIFORMS	6
	3.4.	ROSTERS AND LINE-UP CARDS	7
	3.5.	PLAYER POSITIONS	7
	3.6.	START OF MATCH	7
	3.7.	SCORING THE MATCH	7
	3.8.	TIME OUTS	8
	3.9.	SERVING	8
	3.10.	ROTATION AND SUBSTITUTIONS	9
	3.11.	CONTACTING THE BALL	9
	3.12.	INBOUNDS, OUT OF BOUNDS AND CROSSING LINES	10
	3.13.	DECISIONS OF OFFICIALS	11
	3.14.	CONDUCT	11

4.		ADAPTATIONS OF NFHS RULES	12
	4.1.	RULE 1. THE GAME	12
	4.2.	RULE 2. THE COURT	13
	4.3.	RULE 3. GAME EQUIPMENT	13
	4.4.	RULE 4. PLAYER EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORM	13
	4.5.	RULE 5. OFFICIALS: RESPONSIBILITIES AND POSITIONS	13
	4.6.	RULE 6. THE TEAM: COMPOSITION AND POSITIONS	14
	4.7.	RULE 7. ROSTER AND LINEUP	14
	4.8.	RULE 8. THE SERVE	14
	4.9.	RULE 9. DURING PLAY	14
	4.10.	RULE 10. SUBSTITUTES AND SUBSTITUTION	14
	4.11.	RULE 11. TIME-OUTS AND INTERMISSION	14
	4.12.	RULE 12. CONDUCT	14
	4.13.	CARD SYSTEM FOR HANDLING UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT VIOLATIONS	15

1. Purpose
The foremost intention of this document is to provide a clear statement of DPL Volleyball rules that will assist players and coaches in obtaining the greatest amount of enjoyment from playing volleyball with the least amount of dispute over controversial situations that inevitably arise. A secondary objective is to ensure that games and tournaments conform to generally accepted practices of volleyball associations at large so that DPL can maintain a reputation for excellence in the sport.

2. Overview
This manual has three major sections:
    1. Summary of Common Rules
    2. DPL Adaptations of NFHS Rules
    3. Appendix contains regular and post season schedules

Section 3 attempts to identify the most common rules that volleyball players need to know when playing in the Dallas Parochial League. Most players do not need to purchase and study the books of technically precise rules of the official governing bodies of volleyball to fully participate in the sport. By familiarizing themselves with this section, players and parents will be able to understand what is expected both on and off of the court. Coaches and officials will be responsible for identifying and explaining to players situations where more technical rules apply.

DPL uses regulations published by two governing bodies (UIL and NFHS) as the basis for our league’s volleyball rules. Section 4 identifies specific NFHS rules that DPL Volleyball has adapted for our league. All DPL rules supersede UIL and NFHS rules in areas where they do not match.

UIL – The University Interscholastic League (UIL) publishes a Volleyball Manual every two years “to acquaint coaches and administrators with policies, rules, procedures and forms necessary for proper enforcement of regulations for volleyball”. In other words, how to set up and operate volleyball games and tournaments that will comply NFHS volleyball rules and school administrative mandates. A copy of the UIL Volleyball manual is available on-line from The University of Texas at www.utexas.edu/admin/uil/ath/manuals/volley/manual.html.

The UIL rules are a very comprehensive set of regulations that cover Texas public school volleyball programs. They establish a level playing field with distinct boundaries that apply to schools of all sizes. Every person involved in administering DPL volleyball should be aware UIL rules so that our program meets or exceeds the standard for excellence and fair play that UIL participating schools maintain. However, because UIL rules target public schools, not all of their guidelines are applicable to schools in the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. For example, eligibility, season start/end dates, holidays, usage of gym facilities and whether coaches must be full-time paid employees of the school district are areas reserved for the Diocese school administration.

NFHS – The National Federal of State High School Associations (NFHS) publishes annual updates to its Volleyball Rules Book. This rule book is “intended to promote and preserve the sound traditions of the sport and the safety of participants.” It covers such things as rules of the game, penalties for rule infractions, roles of officials, how officials are to make decisions, and how participants are to communicate with each other.

Coaches, especially varsity coaches, should have a current copy of the NFHS Volleyball Rule and be familiar with its contents. Coaches should teach these rules (as they are used by DPL) to players just as they teach fundamental volleyball skills.

NFHS Volleyball Rules Book can be ordered by phone, fax or mail at:

National Federation of State High School Associations
5804 Churchman By-Pass
Indianapolis, IN 46203-6109
1-800-776-3462 phone
1-317-781-4608 fax

The cost is for $6.50 plus shipping and handling. More information is available at their website: http://www.nfhs.org/rules-volleyball.htm.

3. Summary of Most Common Rules and Regulations

3.1. Eligibility
Enrolled as a full-time student at a Diocesan school.
If volleyball is not offered at a student’s home school, the student may play for another school. To play for another school, a student must obtain clearance from the Diocesan Athletic Director, and principals of both schools concerned.

5th Grade League	a) Grades 5 only
6th Grade League	a) Grades 5 & 6
Varsity (D1 & D2)	a) Grades 5 through 8

3.2. Responsibilities of Coaches and Officials

3.2.1. Home team coach

a)   Provide An official game ball that is DPL approved.
b)   Submit a line-up card to the official scorekeeper at least 15
      minutes prior to start time of a match.
c)   Provide a competent line judge who is at least 16 years old to the
      referee at least 5 minutes before start time.
d)   Immediately prior to the start of every match, lead your team in
      prayer at the net with the visiting team.

3.2.2. Visiting team coach

a)   Submit a line-up card to the official scorekeeper at least 15 minutes
      prior to start time of a match.
b)   Provide a competent line judge who is at least 16 years old to the
      referee at least 5 minutes before start time.
c)   Lead your team in prayer at the net with the home team.

3.2.3. Referee

a)   Head official who has general supervision of other officials.
b)   Calls coaches and captains for a pre-match conference.
c)   Directs players to their respective end-lines to begin and end a game.
d)   Blows the whistle for each serve and dead ball.
e)   Gives signals for each point/side-out.
f)    Grants time-outs, substitutions and requests for serving order.
g)   Determines when a rule infraction has occurred and what, if any penalty applies.
h)   Makes decisions on game matters that are not specifically covered by the rules.

3.2.4. Line Judges

a)   Introduce yourself to the referee at least 15 minutes prior to the match start time.
b)   Stand near the intersection of the side-line and end-line at the corner designated by the referee.
c)   Assist the referee by determining whether:

the server touches or crosses the serving line before making contact with the ball

the ball crosses the net entirely between the antennas

the ball is inbounds or out of bounds when it lands near your corner

a player touches the ball before it goes out of bounds

3.2.5. Scorer/Timer

a)   Introduce yourself to the referee at least 15 minutes prior to the
      match start time.
b)   Record points, side-outs, substitutions, time-outs, penalties and
      other events, as directed by the referee.
c)   Verify the proper serving order is maintained and notify the referee
      when a server is out of order.
d)   Notify the referee when an illegal time-out or substitution is
      requested.
e)   Keep the timer informed of the official score and time-outs.
f)   Administer the game clock and scoreboard.

3.2.6. Team Captain

a)   The captain is the only player who may communicate with the
      referee.
b)   During a dead ball, the captain may request:

A time-out

Verification of time-outs used

Verification of serving order
(for her own team or the opponent's team)

A repeat of a call if the signal is missed or unclear

3.3. Uniforms

a)   All players on a team must have the same color jerseys with
      numbers that are at least four inches tall printed on the front
      and back.
b)   Kneepads are mandatory.
c)   Players are prohibited from wearing the following during matches:

Jewelry, including stud earrings
Watches
Barrettes
Hats
Faces paintings
Glitter

3.4. Rosters and Line-up Cards

a)   a) A team roster must list the names of all eligible team players, their numbers and grades. It must also be signed by the school’s Athletic Director. The roster submitted at the beginning of each match may be either an original or an unaltered photocopy of the original. The penalty for not submitting a roster within 15 minutes of the beginning of a match is a point/side-out being awarded to the opposing team.
b)   b) The minimum number of players on a team required to start a match is five; however, after a match has started there is no minimum number to continue play.
c)   Different line-up cards may be submitted for each game in a match.

5th & 6th Grade Leagues

b) Line-up card lists both players on the court and on the bench in the order they will serve.
c) After a game has begun, a line-up card may
not change unless a player is permanently withdrawn from the game.

3.5. Player Positions

a) There are six positions on the court:

Position 1 - Right Back (Server)
Position 2 - Right Front
Position 3 - Middle Front
Position 4 - Left Front
Position 5 - Left Back
Position 6 - Middle Back

b)   Right side players must be closer to the right sideline of the court than the other players.
c)   Left side players must be closer to the left sideline of the court than the other players.
d)   Front row player must be closer to the net than the corresponding back row player behind her.

LIBERO

The Libero is a back-row player who is a passing and defensive specialist.
The Libero player may only be used in DPL Varsity D1 matches.
Teams must provide their own scorekeeper for tracking the Libero position when used.
In order to be used, the libero must be designated on the lineup sheet. If a libero is not designated on the lineup sheet, the team may not use a libero in that game.
The use of the Libero is strictly optional for coaches on a game to game basis, however; once a player is used as a Libero in the game, he/she must be the team’s Libero for the remainder of the game.
The libero is restricted to perform as a back-row player. He/she cannot serve, block, attack from anywhere if, at the moment of contact, the ball is entirely above the net.
The libero must wear a specific uniform with a legal number. The uniform must be different from that of the rest of the team.
The libero may replace any player in a back-row position. The replacement is not counted as a substitution. The libero can only be replaced by the player whom he/she replaced.
The designated Libero player may not be substituted for by another Libero.

3.6. Start of Match

a)   A match may not start earlier than the scheduled start time
      without the consent of both teams' coaches and the referee.
b)   The referee may call an unnecessary delay of game penalty, when
      the scheduled start time has arrived and one or both teams are
      not prepared to play due to reasonably avoidable circumstances.
c)   After the prayer, the referee shall blow the whistle and direct
       starting players to their respective end lines; then again direct
      them onto the court to begin play.

3.7. Scoring the Match

a)   Rally Scoring will be used for all levels of play, meaning that there will be a point
      won on each serve. You do not have to be serving to score.
b)   The first team to 25 points, with at least a two point lead, wins.
c)   When the referee blows the whistle signaling end of the match,
      players and coaches are to:

go to their respective end lines

proceed in single file along the side court and net

demonstrate good sportsmanship toward their opposing team

d) All matches will consist of the best 2 of 3 games.
e) Should a third game be necessary, it will be played to 15 points.

3.8. Time outs

a) Each team is allowed two (2) 45 second time outs per game.
b) Only a coach or team captain may notify the referee of a time out request.

3.9. Serving

a)   A serve is in play as soon as the server strikes the ball with her hand.
b)   b) A re-serve is called when the server drops the ball, tosses the ball in the air and catches it, or tosses it in the air and allows it to drop to the floor
c)   A re-serve is part of a single attempt to serve.
d)   A server may not step on or over the service line until the ball is in play.
e)   A serve that contacts the net, yet still crosses over to the opponents side, will be considered
      a live ball.

5th, 6th Grade and Varsity D3 Leagues	d)	The serving line is 5 feet inside the court from the official service line. This serving line must be clearly marked on the floor from sideline to sideline. The 5th and 6th grade divisions serve from 5 ft in. Any 5th and 6th graders on D3 teams (or B/C teams) can also move up to serve.
	f)	f) A server may score a maximum of 5 consecutive points. When the fifth point is scored, there is an automatic side-out.
Varsity D1, D2	b)	Service is from behind the official service line.
Boys Co-Ed	c)	c) There is no limit to the number of consecutive points that may be scored.

3.10. Rotation and Substitutions

5th, 6th Grade and Varsity D3 Leagues	a)	All players on the line-up card continuously rotate in the order listed. The Varsity D3 league does continuous rotation just like 5th and 6th grade divisions.
	b)	After every side-out, the serving team rotates out the previous server (position 1) and rotates in the next person from the bench into the middle back (position 6).
	c)	No substitutions are allowed.
	d)	A player who leaves a game due to illness or injury may not return to play during that game. The team may move the next girl in the rotation on to the court so as to have 6 players on the court, but must preserve the order of rotation…i.e. The inserted player does not necessarily take the injured players’ place, but rather; rotates into the middle back starting position with other players moving forward one position accordingly.
	e)	Once the ball is served, players may swap positions. All players must return to their serving order for every serve.
Varsity	f)	Substitution requests must be:
		Made by the coach· When the ball is dead Before the referee signals for serve
	g)	Procedure: player and substitute go to the area between the attack line and the net, face one another, and wait until the referee instructs them to exchange places.
	h)	Multiple players may be substituted at one time.
	i)	The substitute must assume the same position and serving order of the player replaced.
	j)	j) Each team is permitted a maximum of eighteen (18) total substitutions per game. A substitution is defined as any entry of a player that has come from the bench into the game. When substituting multiple players at once, each player counts as a separate substitution toward the team total.

3.11. Contacting the Ball

a)   a) A legal hit is a touch of the ball by a player’s hands, arms or body at or above the waist. Contact by a player’s head is legal, but contact with legs or feet is not.
b)   For a contact to be legal, it must be very brief and crisp. Any prolonged contact is illegal.
c)   A team shall not have more than three hits, or two consecutive hits by the same person,
      before the ball crosses the net with the following caveats:

Simultaneous contact on the same team– When two players on the same team simultaneously contact the ball, the contact is counted as just one hit and any player, including the two who just touched it, may play the ball.

Simultaneous contact by players on opposing teams – When two players on opposing teams contact the ball above the net at the same time and the ball falls onto one side, the player on that side may make the next hit. Whether the player involved in the simultaneous hit or another player makes the next hit, it is counted as the first hit for the team.

Multiple contacts for one attempt – When a player receives a hard-driven ball from an attacker (either a block or saving a spike) and the ball rebounds from one part of a player’s body to ricochet off of another legal part of the player’s body, the ball is still in play and the attempt is counted as a single hit. This does not apply if the ball is not hard-driven and the player simply mishandles the ball.

Blocks – Blocks are not counted as hits. When a player blocks the ball, either she or any other player on her team may hit the ball next and that hit will be the first one for the team.

d)   A front row player may contact the ball anywhere on or off the court.
e)   A back row player behind the attack line may contact the ball on or
     off of the court, above or below the top of the net.
f)   A back row player who is on, or in front of, the attack line, may not
      attempt to block or attack the ball above the top of the net.
g)   Blocking a served ball is prohibited.

3.12. Inbounds, Out of Bounds and Crossing Lines

3.12.1. Inbounds

A ball is inbounds and live when:

a)   any portion of the ball touches a side-line, end-line or inside the
      court.
b)   the ball touches the ceiling or other obstruction directly above the
      hitting player's court and returns to be same side of the court.
c)   the ball hits the net and goes over into the opponent's court,

3.12.2. Out of Bounds

A ball is dead when it:

a)   fails to go over the net by the third hit.
b)   touches any part of the antenna or pole.
c)   touches the ceiling or other obstruction above the player's court
      and goes to the opponent's side of the court.
d)   touches an obstruction (e.g. a basketball backboard) on the side
      or end of the court.
e)    touches any non-player.

3.12.3. Crossing Lines

g)   All players, except for the server, must be fully within the
      boundaries of the court when the ball is served.
h)    Once the ball is served, players may go outside of the court to
      play a ball.
i)   A player may not enter the opponent team's court.
j)   A player may touch or cross the center line with a hand or foot
     provided the entire hand or foot does not cross it completely.
      No other body part (e.g. the head or elbow) may cross the center line.

3.13. Decisions of Officials

a)   Decisions by officials are final and not open to question by teams or
      spectators.
b)   b) A coach may request a time-out to review with the referee a call by an official to ensure that the call is understood and communicated properly. Coaches shall not attempt to dissuade an official from a call. After reviewing a call with a coach, if a referee changes his call, the time-out shall be counted as an official time-out rather than a team time-out.

3.14. Conduct

a)   Players and coaches shall remain seated on the bench during game play.
b)   Players and coaches may cheer for all players.
c)   Players and coaches may not show disrespect for any player, coach,
      official or spectator.
This includes:

Use of disconcerting acts or words when an opponent is playing the ball.

Showing disgust for an official's decision.

Use of any language, sign or contact that unnecessarily incites turmoil.

Spectators are encouraged to be examples of good sportsmanship for our children.

d)   Referees and coaches share responsibility for resolving situations
      where a spectator disrupts play.
e)   Warnings, penalties and disqualifications are administered using yellow and red cards by
      the referee for misconduct of players and coaches.

Warning - a yellow card is administered for a first minor offense. No penalty is assessed.
Penalty - a red card is administered for a second minor offense by the same person or a single serious offense. A point/side-out is awarded to the opponent.
Disqualification - yellow and red cards are administered simultaneously for a third minor offense or a single flagrant offense. The offender is prohibited from further participation in the match. A point/side-out is awarded to the opponent.

4. DPL Adaptations of NFHS Rules

DPL teams and officials shall follow NFHS rules, as adapted by the changes listed in this chapter, when playing regular season and playoff games.

Wherever the NFHS Rule Book refers to:
a)   "The state association", it should be read as "Diocesan Athletic
      Director" or the Dallas Dioceses, as applicable.
b)   Activities involving team rosters, line-ups, scoresheets, and officials
      reporting for duty that are to occur either 10 or 20 minute intervals
      prior to game start time, the activities are to take happen at least
       15 minutes prior to start time.
c)   Yellow and red cards, they apply only to Varsity team games.

4.1. Rule 1. The Game

Addition

Section 4 Prematch Conference and Coin Toss

Immediately before starting a new match both teams assemble at the net and coaches lead their teams in a prayer together.

Replace ART 2. b. with the following	Section 6 Suspension/Forfeiture of Game
A team has fewer than five players to start the match.

Change ART.1 to reflect	Section 7 Match
Junior Varsity	The third game of a match may be played provided that both teams' coaches agree and the game will not cause subsequent game start times to be delayed.
Varsity	The third game is played only if necessary to determine the match winner.

4.2. Rule 2. The Court

No adaptations.

4.3. Rule 3. Game Equipment

Replace Penalty 1 with the following: Penalties for Illegal Game Equipment

When the host school does not pad all of the standards, floor/walls, cables and referee’s platform according to Rule 3-1-3, the match may be played only if the referee determines that the lack of padding does not create an unreasonable safety hazard. Further, the referee shall notify the Diocesan League Director that padding for the school’s does not meet NFHS regulations.

4.4. Rule 4. Player Equipment and Uniform

Replace ART. 6 with the following:	Section 1 Equipment
No jewelry (including stud earrings and watches) may be worn during matches.
Change Penalties 1 and 2 to reflect the following:	Penalty for Illegal Equipment
When a player wearing illegal equipment attempts to enter the game, or is discovered during a game, the referee shall call an official time out and instruct coaches for both teams to have players remove all illegal equipment. This instruction constitutes a warning for both teams.
Change Penalty 3 to reflect the following:	Penalty for Illegal Equipment
For subsequent violations by either team during the match, a point or side-out shall be awarded the opposing team.
Replace ART. 1 with the following:	Section 2 Legal Uniform
All players on a team must have the same color uniforms.

4.5. Rule 5. Officials: Responsibilities and Positions

Addition to ART. 1

Section 1 Authorized Officials

If an umpire is not available, the referee shall assume his duties and the games shall proceed.

4.6. Rule 6. The Team: Composition and Positions

Replace ART. 1 with the following:

Section 1 Team Players

A team shall consist either five or six players to begin a match. If a team has fewer than five player, a forfeit shall be declared.

Replace ART. 2 with the following:

Section 1 Authorized Officials

If a team has fewer than five players due to illness, injury or disqualification after the start of a match, the team shall be allowed to continue play.

4.7. Rule 7. Roster and Lineup

Only line-up cards are mandatory for submission prior to games. However, the team roster must be produced if requested.

4.8. Rule 8. The Serve

Addition to ART. 8

Section 2 General

Junior Varsity	a)	The serving line is 5 feet inside the court from the official service line. This JV serving line must be clearly marked on the floor from sideline to sideline.
	b)	A server may score a maximum of 5 consecutive points. When the fifth point is scored, there is an automatic side-out.

4.9. Rule 9. During Play

No adaptations.

4.10. Rule 10. Substitutes and Substitution

No adaptations.

4.11. Rule 11. Time-outs and Intermission

Replace to reflect the following: Sections 1 through 5
Time-outs are 60 seconds

4.12. Rule 12. Conduct

No adaptations.

4.13. Card System for Handling Unsportsmanlike Conduct Violations

No adaptations.