Official Rules

Objectives: The Windsor Adult Volleyball League (WAVL) will endeavour to provide an opportunity for adults to play in a league that provides for a full range of skill competition. WAVL will attempt to preserve the recreational aspect of play as well as foster an opportunity for better player development. In order to achieve and maintain the above goals, the following Procedures, Rules and Responsibilities will be adhered to by all individuals participating in WAVL.

Please circulate these among your players. It is also every player's responsibility to be aware and abide by the rules that govern conduct and play. The rules are reviewed annually and subject to periodic change and updating by the Board of Directors. In addition, WAVL strives to place teams in their respective tiered level for fair play, initially based on your entry level indicated upon registration. With that in mind, there is no way to create and enforce a rule about differences in skill levels, but prudence should prevail. In the lower tiers it is dangerous and unsportsmanlike to have high calibre varsity-type players that spike and unnecessarily intimidate unprepared players. Inevitably this could result in an injury. This truly is not our intention, so safety is always a primary concern.

WAVL subscribes to the Human Rights Code. The Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected ground in a protected social area. Likewise WAVL supports anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. Provincial policy makes it clear that harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated, and sets standards and expectations for behaviour.

Disclaimers & Liability

1. All players that play in the WAVL must recognize that there are some potential risks and hazards that may occur during volleyball league play.
2. As such, the team and team players acknowledge that they agree to waive any claims they may have against WAVL — Windsor Adult Volleyball League — and its Directors as a result of any activity on and during regular scheduled league playing times.
3. The maximum amount that any player or team will be financially reimbursed is the cost of a performance bond and/or players fee, whichever applies to the individual and/or player. This is at the discretion of the President.
4. Any claims for a league-play "sports injury" during league competition are covered by a separate Players Insurance Policy and have specific limitations. Any such claim must be brought to the attention of the WAVL President as soon as possible, or at a maximum within 48 hours after the injury.
5. Any damages caused and/or claimed by inappropriate use of a gym facility will be charged against the team and/or player causing such damage. Team Captains are required to report such incidents, unsportsmanlike conduct, or inappropriate behaviour to the WAVL President — by phone or email.

1. General Procedures & Responsibilities

1.1 Bonds

The President will enforce any rules and encumbrances relating to the Performance Bond for each team. Team bonds are only returnable to the named Coach indicated on the WAVL registration form record.

1.2 Committees

In order to assist in running the activities of WAVL, the Board of Directors may appoint people to various Committees — such as Stats or Technical Review Committee(s).

1.3 Coach

The Team Coach will be the principal representative for the team. The Coach must:

1. Ensure that the team is represented at each duly called meeting/clinic (bring pen/pencil).
2. Ensure that each player is aware of the Rules, Objectives and Procedures, either by reading or by the coach explaining them.
3. Ensure that the team and players adhere to WAVL League Rules and expectations.
4. Check and make sure scores are recorded properly by reviewing the scores online.
5. Input scores through the website before 11:59pm, the same night of play.
6. Inform the other coaches no later than the day prior to the playing night if their team is unable to attend that night — the team must still provide referees.
7. Most WAVL communications are by email; therefore it is imperative to keep us up to date on your contact information.

1.4 Basic Team Responsibilities

Teams 1, 4, 7, 2 and 3 are home teams. Team 1 is a home team for the entire season. Teams 4 and 7 are home teams for 3 out of 4 weeks. Teams 2 and 3 are home teams only on the nights they replace teams 4 and 7 (on the fourth week). Where keys are involved with the home team gyms, there is a critical requirement to assure proper access for game nights. Teams are charged with:

1. The responsibility of preparing the gym for playing volleyball, including making sure the schedule is followed correctly.
2. In some instances, a home team may need to know the procedure to set the gym alarm code on or off, and that all entry doors are adequately closed and locked upon leaving the gym.
3. Teams 4 and 7 must review the routine/requirements with teams 2 and 3 on the night they play, to assure continuation of requirements and responsibilities.
4. The home team is principally responsible for recording all scores.
5. After the 4th week of play in the second and third season, teams 2 and 3 must make sure teams 6 and 9 take any keys or league nets required to the next week's home teams (teams 4 or 7).
6. After the 4th week of play in season 1, teams 1, 2 and 3 must return all keys or league nets along with the stats to the WAVL sponsor location.
7. In seasons 2 and 3, this will occur on week eight.

At Coaches' meetings prior to the year-end playoffs, all teams must pick up and read the playoff instructions (home teams may include getting keys or league nets) and pick up any prizes. Following your playoff games, teams must return any required keys or league nets, and take a picture of the winning team and email it along with the team name and tier that won.

In fairness to all, we hope and encourage that all teams participate in being a home team at some point — this league could not function otherwise. Any team may be designated a home team; we cannot guarantee that a team will or will not be asked to be one, nor can we guarantee a favoured gym location.

Schedule Changes

There may be times when a scheduled gym is not available. Generally a back-up gym is available for league games but only on a limited basis. If teams are unable to use their assigned gym on the specified night, check your email for the latest changes.

Safety

All teams and players are required to exercise "due diligence" and common sense to assure that you and others adhere to appropriate and required safe play and professional conduct. If a significant unsafe condition exists, please note it in writing and email the President. Non-team members should be limited during playing time in your gym.

2. WAVL Game Playing Rules

WAVL adheres to the rules of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) with some minor modifications. Please note the following rules in particular.

2.1 Duties of Participants

It is the responsibility and duty of ALL participants to:

1. Know the rules of the game and abide by them.
2. Understand that the rules apply to all players equally, regardless of skill level.
3. Be on the roster sheet on the night of play.
4. Accept the referee's decisions with sportsmanlike behaviour.
5. In case of doubt, have the game captain request clarification of an infraction.
6. Attend players' clinics, for a better understanding of the game and rules, when or if required.

2.2 Conduct

The conduct of participants must be in accordance with the spirit of fair play and the following guiding principles:

1. Show a respectful and courteous attitude toward the referee, opponents and other team members.
2. Avoid actions and attitudes aimed at influencing the decisions of referees or covering up faults committed by their team — such as applause or shouting at service reception, or stamping feet as a distraction.
3. Avoid actions and attitudes aimed at prolonging dead time or considered a deliberate delay of the game.

2.3 Team Captain

The Team Captain is responsible for the conduct and discipline of all team players. During a match, the Team Captain functions as game captain — on the court, only the Captain may communicate matters concerning clarification of calls or other concerns such as a request for legal interruptions in the game.

2.4 Composition of a Team

A playing team generally consists of 3 men and 3 women. If a team is short a male player, that team may play with 4 women and 2 men — but never more than 3 men at any time.

1. Minimum number of players: a team may play with a minimum of 5 players (3 of one gender and 2 of the other).
2. When meeting the 5-player rule, the position of the missing player must be clearly established at the beginning of the game — this "hole" must rotate normally with the team, and when it rotates to serve, the serve is forfeited and a point automatically awarded to the opposing team.
3. A team with fewer than the minimum number of players at the scheduled game time constitutes a forfeit.
4. The forfeiting team is required to referee the required games, or a loss of half the bond will occur.
5. All players must be identified and registered on your team roster prior to the official closing date (week 4).

2.5 Rotation / Substitution

Teams may use one of the following systems, but may not change the system during the game:

1. Regular player-for-player according to FIVB rules.
2. Continuous rotation of players (female for female, male for male) after service rotation.
3. Teams playing a system with defined roles (setter, centre hitter/blocker, outside hitter) may rotate players in those roles, male for male or female for female, after a service rotation. When a team is short one female or one male, they may play with a hole that must rotate even if both teams are in the same situation — a player who shows up may enter the hole after a stoppage of play.
4. The Libero player rule is not used in this league, except in Tier 1. The Libero may replace any player in a back-row position (never more than 3 males on court at once), is restricted to back-row play, and may not complete an attack hit from anywhere if the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net at contact. The Libero may not serve, block, or attempt to block. A player may not complete an attack hit when the ball is entirely higher than the net if it's coming from an overhand finger pass by a Libero in their front zone — though the ball may be freely attacked if the Libero makes that same action from outside their front zone.

2.6 Service, Reception & Play

A condensed version of the rules that govern league play:

1. Serving is allowed from anywhere along the length of the service area baseline.
2. Boundary lines are part of the court — a ball is "in" if any part of it makes contact with the line.
3. In gyms with a short service area depth, allow discretion of approximately 2 metres of service area from the back obstruction to permit the serve. One step in is sufficient but discretionary if all teams agree.
4. No penetration under the net is permitted — it's a fault for a player's foot or feet to step over and into the opponent's court beneath the net.
5. A player may go outside the court to play a ball, but it must be returned over the net inside the sidelines extended vertically.
6. Referees are entitled to make the appropriate call if they believe the ball crossed the plane of the net outside the court boundaries.
7. Teams may position players on the court in any order of choice (not necessarily M-F-M-F-M-F), but the setup must continue in that order to the end of the game.
8. It's a fault if a player touches the ball or an opponent in the opponent's space before or during the opponent's attack.
9. The ball must be hit to the opponent's court by the third pass.
10. Tips are allowed, but not as a "held" ball.
11. A back-row player may attack the ball from the back zone if, at take-off, their feet have not touched or crossed the attack line (or its imaginary extension).
12. A back-row player may attack from the front zone if, at contact, any part of the ball is below the top of the net.
13. Only front-row players may contact a ball completely above the height of the net and send it across while at the net in front of the attack line.
14. Play continues after contact with the ceiling. Balls contacting ceilings, rafters, lights, or anything overhead remain playable, provided the ball never completely crosses to the other side of the net. Objects attached to the ceiling are playable; objects attached to a wall are dead.
15. A maximum of two timeouts are permitted per game.
16. A team refusing to play following a referee's decision will forfeit the game.
17. If a player becomes injured during play, stop play immediately.

2.6a Service — Execution

The ball must be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released from the hand(s).

1. Only one service attempt is allowed (no second try) — if the ball drops or is caught on the attempt, it's a loss of serve and a point is awarded to the opposing team.
2. The ball must be hit within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service.

2.6b Service — Ball Touching the Net

While crossing the net, the ball may touch the top of the net and still be in play.

2.6c Service — Reception

Players may only forearm pass, bump or volley a serve — the ball must not be held during contact.

1. Players cannot block or spike the serve.
2. Any first ball over the net may be double-hit, unless it's clearly a held ball.
3. Contact can be made from the feet up, providing it's not a "held" ball.
4. Players on the serving team must not screen opponents from seeing the contact for service or the path of the ball.

2.6d Reaching Beyond the Net

Players may reach over the top of the net only on the follow-through for a spike or block. A player may never touch the ball to intercept a pass when it's entirely in the opponent's court (defined by the plane of the net).

1. An opponent may never spike a ball totally from within the other team's side of the net.
2. When blocking, a blocker may touch the ball beyond the net if they don't interfere with the opponent's play before or during the attack hit.

2.6e Contact With the Net

Contact with the net or antenna is a fault, except when a player touches them outside the playing zone.

2.7 Net Height

The net height should be set as close to 2.43m (8'0") as possible, but never lower than 2.24m (7'4"). School gym nets must be returned at the end of the evening to their original height.

2.8 Starting Time & Schedule

Each gym starts at either 6:30 or 7:00pm.

1. If a team isn't ready within 15 minutes of the starting time, they forfeit round 1. Not there within 30 minutes, they forfeit round 2. Not there within 45 minutes (or at the start of their 3rd game), they forfeit round 3.
2. The order of play cannot change — teams must follow the exact schedule: 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3, 2 vs 3.
3. Teams should minimize breaks between games and be ready within a reasonable time to start the next game.

2.9 Rally Point System & Winning a Set

No game will exceed 27 points. Games may end 25-27 or 26-27.

1. Each match consists of three games; all three count toward a win or loss. A team winning two or more games (sets) against the same team wins the match.
2. All games use rally-point scoring — a point is awarded on every serve.
3. The team that first scores 25 points with a minimum lead of two points wins a set.
4. The maximum point limit is 27.
5. In case of a forfeit by two teams, neither team gains points for the forfeited games.

Sample Scores

Three teams play each other round robin, 3 games each — a total of 9 games. There will be 9 wins and 9 losses noted on the score sheet. The winner of 2 or 3 games against an individual team wins a match; a team can win a maximum of 2 matches. All score tie-breakers are done by total points scored.

2.10 Team Expectations

The Home Team is in charge of the assigned gym. It's the duty of ALL teams in the gym to adhere to the following:

1. Stats, gym keys/league nets must be returned as noted in 1.4 above — required for standings, coordination and scheduling.
2. Smoking or drinking (except water) is not permitted in the gyms, buildings, or on the property, per our rental agreement. No alcohol/drugs allowed on gym rental properties at any time.
3. No food or beverages other than water are to be brought into the gyms.
4. No wandering beyond the gym proper (washrooms/change rooms) — WAVL rents the gym area only.
5. All gyms are to be left as found — return chairs/equipment to their original places and remove your garbage.
6. All games start on time to fulfill gym departure obligations. Gyms must be cleared by the departure time.
7. Gyms are rented for VOLLEYBALL ONLY, not basketball or other games.
8. No players are to hang on basketball rims or other gym equipment.
9. Teams/players causing damage to backboards, rims, etc. will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
10. If games are running late, the home team may suggest shorter games to complete the schedule within the rental time.
11. Home teams are responsible for directing gym preparation; visiting teams must assist.
12. Home teams are responsible for uploading game results to the website by 11:59pm the same day, to prepare statistics for the WAVL stats page.
13. Game forfeitures are enforced by the home team and the League Convener.
14. All teams must supervise enforcement of the rules above and report any flagrant abuses in writing to the President.
15. Any player(s) ejected from a game, regardless of reason, must be reported to the President by email. The League Convener and Enforcement Officer will review whether suspensions or expulsions are necessary.
16. Failure to record an ejection results in the loss of half that team's bond — it's the coach's responsibility to ensure a complaint is completed and submitted by email.
17. It's the ejected player's responsibility to contact the League Convener to confirm eligibility to play the following scheduled game.

2.11 Player & Team Eligibility

2.11a Eligible WAVL Players

1. All players must be at least 19 years of age and registered on the official roster before they can play — they cannot play until their 19th birthday. Verification may be requested if deemed necessary.
2. Team rosters must have a minimum of six full-fee-paid players and a maximum of 12, all properly named for identification and insurance purposes. Additional players may be added for shift work or other extenuating circumstances, officially recorded by the President.
3. Players not registered are not covered by WAVL for insurance purposes and play at their own risk — non-team members should not be present in the gym. This responsibility rests with the team, not WAVL.
4. No player may play in league games until their player fees are paid directly to the President, who maintains the documented list of eligible players.
5. Rosters officially close at the completion of week 4 of Season 1.

2.11b Player Eligibility for Playoffs

1. Additional players' names must be registered, paid for, and documented on the WAVL roster by week 4 of Season 1.
2. Players must be on the roster sheet to play in Playoffs, and must have participated in the Playoffs prior to the WAVL Championship to be eligible for the Championship game.
3. Qualifications for other tournaments are set by the League Convener.

2.11c Player Defined

An illegal player is a non-registered and/or under-age player. An eligible player is a fee-paid player in good standing, meeting the minimum age requirement, officially recorded on the WAVL roster — maintained by the President. The league roster closes at the end of the 4th playing week of Season 1.

2.12 General Rules

1. Non-marking rubber-soled shoes are required (no street shoes).
2. Every team provides its own volleyball. Recognized balls: Baden-15-0, Tachikara SV-5W, Wilson H7500, Mikasa MVA200, or Molten V5M5000. The home team chooses which recognized ball is used for the evening.
3. When playing the second game against a team, you must switch sides of the court, regardless of serve. In the 3rd game, the team without serve chooses the court side.
4. When a team isn't playing, they must referee — providing one up official, one down official (centre line judge), one lines person at each end, and a scorekeeper. All officials must be standing and focused on play; if you know a call was made wrong, please admit it.
5. Referees, umpires, and lines persons must be standing and positioned so as not to interfere with play (just outside the playing area) — not sitting on the floor or chairs, or standing away chatting.
6. Any complaints about unsportsmanlike conduct, gym problems, or abusive behaviour must be reported in writing to the President.
7. All teams must be ready to play during playoffs — a coach or team representative must attend a mandatory meeting alongside the Final Season Playoffs.
8. Teams owing outstanding bond money or player fees are in arrears and may be ineligible for league play, forfeiting games until corrected.
9. As an adult league, it's recommended that children not be brought as spectators. Where unavoidable, the parent/guardian is responsible for supervising them at all times, and players/spectators should not wander other areas of the facility.
10. All teams must assist the home team in gym setup and proper completion of the stats sheets.
11. WAVL cannot guarantee gym floor condition or lighting — note any undue conditions by email. Teams with a pregnant player may substitute another female player, who then remains ineligible once the original player returns from pregnancy leave.
12. Music is only allowed during warm-ups, and only with all three Captains' agreement — if any Captain requests it off, it must be turned off. NO MUSIC during games.

2.13 Change Rules

For a play rule to change from FIVB regulation, there must be 50%+ concern from the league in general and/or 50%+ concern from the Captains, followed by a mandatory Board vote. A survey goes out at the end of every playing year. The Board may make any rules at any time, with veto rights held by the President.

2.14 Relegation

There should be at least one team minimum movement up and down between tiers (2 total), with the bottom tier moving one team up and the top tier moving one team down between Seasons 1–2 and 2–3. The President has discretion for additional movement only after the mandatory movement has been addressed.

3. Performance Bonds, Encumbrances & Sanctions

The following guidelines assure fairness and compliance with the performance expectations of all teams, coaches and players.

3.1 Monies

1. If a team drops out after May 30, the team forfeits the entire performance bond.
2. Cheques submitted for registration must not be post-dated — post-dated cheques do not constitute valid team registration.
3. No fees are returned to individuals or teams that drop out after September 15, or where suspensions, expulsions, or forfeitures are levied against them.
4. Once a team has lost part or all of its performance bond, the full value must be replaced.
5. Continuous league infractions will result in expulsion from WAVL.
6. Any team that withdraws from a WAVL tournament/playoff loses their entire performance bond.
7. Teams must maintain the performance bond at full value to remain eligible for play — teams with unpaid bond fees don't receive credit for games won during the unpaid period.
8. Performance bonds (or the remaining portion, depending on encumbrances) are returned before the next WAVL playing year, when requested, or when a team doesn't re-register for the upcoming year.
9. Teams in good standing may carry over their performance bonds to the next playing year.
10. Failure to perform any of the above, after proper investigation by the Directors, results in an encumbrance against the team's bond — half the bond on first occurrence, the complete bond on second occurrence.

3.2 Encumbrances

An encumbrance (fine or outstanding charge) will be posted against the Performance Bond for any of the following:

1. $10.00 for use of illegal rosters.
2. $20.00 for missed attendance/registration at a coaches meeting.
3. $30.00 for a team that forfeits and does not provide a referee on a required league playing night.
4. $60.00 for use of illegal player(s).
5. $50.00 for all non-sufficient-fund cheques, to cover bank charges.
6. $60.00 against the team bond for any team that withdraws after the final registration date in August.
7. All encumbrances must be paid immediately after notification by the President. The Directors will attempt to notify teams before meetings, but teams must be prepared to update bonds even if a message isn't received beforehand.
8. Failure to update bonds results in game forfeitures until the bond is renewed — these forfeitures are permanent losses.
9. If encumbrances occur at playoff time, the remaining portion of the team bond is returned and a new registration is required.
10. If a team doesn't show up for Playoffs, they sacrifice their entire bond.
11. $10.00 for teams that don't upload scores by 11:59pm the same day of play.

3.3 Sanctions

The WAVL Directors have full and final authority to endorse and resolve WAVL league issues or disputes where deemed necessary, including:

1. Final word or decision concerning any dispute over interpretation or application of the WAVL rules.
2. Player and/or team suspensions for a specified period, including up to a lifetime ban, deemed appropriate for the well-being of the league and safety of other participants.
3. Forfeiture of games for a team where disputes or conditions arise that contravene league rules — including behavioural misconduct or breach of the spirit of good sportsmanship.