OVERVIEW:

Water volleyball (not to be confused with water polo) is a fun oriented, team sport that is played in a shallow swimming pool; therefore, swimming proficiency is NOT required. The rules are very similar to regular volleyball but have been modified to allow for play in a pool and to accommodate our ages and physical ability. The objective of the BGCC Summer Games is to have a fun and friendly competition with the emphasis on participation. Water volleyball is open to men and women of all ages.

PRELIMINARY ROUND:

To be eligible to play, all players must have registered to play and paid their fees. The Condo Water Volleyball Captain must inform the Water Volleyball Sport Captain of any new players prior to the first game of the Preliminary Round. Once play has started, the eligible players list is frozen.

All teams will play in a preliminary set of matches, playing one match against each of the other condo teams. All matches will be a best 2 of 3 games competition with no time limit. A coin flip will determine the choice of court end. A volley (three times over the net) will determine the serving team. In the second game, the teams will change ends and the winner of the first game will retain the serve. If a third game is required, the teams will change ends and the winner of the second game will retain the serve. The teams will change ends again in the third and final game when a team reaches 11 points.

All games are won by the first team to reach 21 points (2-point differential not required).

If a team is not ready to begin play by 5 minutes after the scheduled game time, whether because the number of players is below six or any other reason, the team will be considered in default and the team that is ready to play will be awarded the game with a score of 21-14.  After 10 minutes the match will be defaulted, whether because the number of players is below six or any other reason, with the winning team registering two 21-14 wins.

PRELIMINARY ROUND FINAL STANDINGS & TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE:

To determine the final standings of the Condo teams after the play downs, the following sequence will be used to determine the final standings.  These standings will determine which Condos will be vying for the various medals.  Of particular significance is the determination of the Condos that finished second and third (and fourth and fifth where all five Condos field a team) whereby the Condos finishing first and second will be playing for the gold / silver medals and the third and forth Condos will be playing for the bronze medal.

1. The overall match results for the three matches each Condo has played.
2. If there are ties, the following methods will be used as tiebreakers:
   1. Look to head-to-head results.
   2. Convert the points won to a percentage of maximum possible points for the number of games played.
   3. If there is still a tie, the Condo(s) with the fewest “points against” for those games won (i.e., will exclude those games lost).

MEDAL ROUND:

The rules outlined under the heading “Preliminary rounds” are applicable to the Medal Round with the following additions.

Only teams who have used eligible players may receive medals. If an ineligible player is later discovered to have played, the offending team(s) will be dropped to last place and out of the medals. The other teams will move up one place in the standings. This will potentially result in fifth place team (assuming all Condos field their own teams) earning the bronze medal where two teams are disqualified.

All eligible players on a medal team will receive medals if they have played in at least one complete match.

RULES OF PLAY:

1. The focus is on fun and participation so all players on a team will play on an equal and rotating basis. Once the rotation is set, players may not change positions during a game.

Note: A shuffling of the rotation of players is possible prior to the start of the second and/or third game, following an approved timeout or a suspended game.

2. Each team must have a minimum of 6 players and may have a maximum of 12 players in the water at any time. Players may be arranged in 2 or 3 rows with a maximum of 4 players in a row. There is no limit to the number of substitute players.
3. If a Condo is unable to field a team of 6 or more, that Condo is encouraged to combine with another Condo’s team. The combining of the Condos’ teams must be confirmed in writing, by both Condo water volleyball captains to the Water Volleyball Sport Captain at least 24 hours prior to the very first preliminary round game.
4. Each team must always have one woman, or more, in the pool, except where they are being rotated in/out as part of the game, based on the following:

1. 1. A team consisting of 6 to 8 players must include one woman, as a minimum.
   2. A team of 9 to 12 players must include two women, as a minimum.

5. Where the minimum number of women does not meet the requirement above, a penalty of 4 points per deficiency will be incurred. This will result in the opposing team being awarded these points at the start of each game.
6. Players arriving after the start of a game may be added to a team which has fewer than 12 players (in the water), during a service change, when the team regains the serve.  The additional player will enter the line-up such that the player becomes the setter on the next rotation. 

7. Where a team has more than 12 players, the additional players must enter the pool by way of substitution during a service change. The player who would otherwise become the setter, will come out of the pool and the player coming on will take the position of the player coming off – thereby becoming the setter.  Subsequent substitutions are made in order following the first substitution.  Once all substitutions have been made, the first player off is rotated in and then the second player off and so on.
8. If a team is below the minimum, it will default the match, losing two games 21-14. (Should the Condo water volleyball captains agree to play the match for fun, the team with the greater number of players will donate enough players so that both teams are approximately even.)

9. The net and water are considered part of the playable area. The net poles and ropes, pool side tops, back boundary line and floats, deck, and ceiling are considered out of bounds. A ball touching a side boundary wall prior to hitting the water is considered out. Players may not leave the pool (water) and re-enter during the point.
10. During a service change, the serving team with 3 rows will rotate positions in a reverse “S” with the person at the back right moving to the front left position. The serving team with 2 rows will rotate in a reverse “C” with the person at the back left moving to the front left position.
11. Putting the ball in play utilises a “server” and a “setter”. The server is located at the front left position, at the net, and sets up the ball to the teammate to his immediate right, using a two handed, overhead set or “lob”. The teammate then attempts, using two hands, to set the ball by hitting it over the net, in an archingtrajectory, to the opposing team. This teammate may not spike nor tip the ball over the net. The server and setter must not begin until instructed to do so by the Referee, usually through the blowing of a whistle. Failure to wait for the Referee’s signal results in a failed serve and loss of a rally.

Note:  Should the setter not be able to put the ball over the net or use only one hand to get the ball over the net, the rally will be deemed lost, and the ball is passed over to the other side.  There will be no replays.  It is strongly recommended that team players practice the serve and set in the scheduled practice sessions and prior to the start of the game.

12. A legal serve must travel over the net and land in the playable area. A “let” serve is legal and in play.
13. A team may take a maximum of three hits to return the ball over the net.

No player may contact the ball twice in succession (a ball that is not hit cleanly (a scoop is not a clean hit) may be deemed to have been hit twice if the referee so deems it). No player may contact the net in playing the ball. No player may cross the vertical plane of the net in blocking or returning the ball.

However, it is permitted to play a ball that has been hit into the net so long as it is not because of the team’s third hit and has not yet hit the water.

14. Balls played over the net may not be “spiked” – a hit with such force that it is unreturnable. (Balls of this nature may cause an injury to the opposing team player.)  The Referee will determine, at his sole discretion, whether a ball has been spiked. The team making the spike will be deemed to have lost the rally.
15. Points are awarded only if the serving team wins the rally.
16. After the non-serving team wins a rally, a “side out” is called and the serve passes to the previously non-serving team.
17. A rally is won when:
    1. a serve that lands in the opponent’s playing area (water),
    2. a setter is unable to get the ball over the net as per rule 11,
    3. a serve that goes into or under the net or lands out of bounds,
    4. an illegal serve (server improperly positioned, fails to wait for the Referee’s signal, or fails to serve within 5 seconds),
    5. a ball that is not returned to the opponent’s area within three legal hits,
    6. an illegal hit (catching or throwing the ball, touching the net, crossing the vertical plane of the net in the process of hitting the ball, 2 consecutive contacts by the same player, spiking).

Note: a would result in a point to the serving team; b, c and d would result in a service change; e and f would result in a point being awarded to the service team if the opposing team performs these actions; else a change of service if performed by the serving team.

18. A team may only score three consecutive points. After the third consecutive point is scored, the serve automatically passes to the opposing team.
19. If a team is behind by 5 or more points at the time they assume serving, the 5-point rulecomes in effect. This will be announced by the referee and acts as a warning to the defending team that they may not become the serving team upon winning a rally! The 5-point rule allows for a second (new) server to commence serving for the team that is still 5 or more points behind at the time when the serve would otherwise pass to the other team; thereby providing the losing team with an opportunity to win a further three points.  The 5-point rule only allows for a maximum of two servers.  There is no other “mercy” rule!

Example #1:  if a team regains the serve when the score is 6 – 13, with the difference being greater than 5 points, the referee will announce that the 5-point rule is in effect.  Should the (first) server win two or less rallies (points) before losing a rally, the team will still be behind by 5 or more points (the score would be no more than 8 – 13). At this time, the losing team will rotate its players and a second server from that team will be able to serve attempting to win up to a further 3 points.

Example #2:  However, if the score is 8 – 13, say, on assuming service with its (first) server, with the difference is exactly 5 points, the referee will announce that the 5-point rule is in effect.  Should the team win a point or more before losing the rally or wins 3 points in a row, the team is no longer behind by 5 points and accordingly the use of the second server will not come into play.

Example #3:  If the score is 6 – 13, if the first server’s team is unable to win a rally, the second server will be used.  If the second server’s team is unable to win a rally, the ball reverts to the leading team even though no points have been scored.   i.e., there is no mercy!

It is recognized that the introduction of the 5-point rule may change the outcome of the game!

20. An injured player must leave the game and seek medical attention. The player may return at the discretion of the Referee. If a team falls below the player minimum and has no spares, a 10-minute time-out will be called by the Referee. If the injured player or a substitute is unable to return within the 10-minute time-out, the opposing team may, at its option, loan a player. Otherwise, after the 10-minute time-out, the injured player’s team will be in default of the game. After an additional 5 minutes, the match will be defaulted.
21. If there is blood in the water and the amount is small, the Referee will consult the captains and the game will continue if all agree to do so. If the amount of blood is moderate to large, the game will be suspended until the pool has been shocked and one hour has passed. At this point, the game and match will continue from the point at which it was suspended. If time does not permit play to continue, the game/match will be rescheduled by the Water Volleyball Sport Captain and the game/match will continue from the point at which it was suspended.
22. Players shall always act in a sportsmanlike manner. Unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., screening, interference, insulting language, gestures, actions, or words, arguing, disruptive play) will be dealt with by the Referee in the following manner:

• On the first infraction, the team will receive a warning,
• On the second infraction, the team will lose 1 point,
• On the third infraction, the team will lose 3 points,
• On the fourth infraction, the team will lose the game by default. Continued disruption may result in a match disqualification and further penalties assessed by the Water Volleyball Sport Captain.

23. The Referee is the final authority on all rules and disputed calls during play. The Referee will decide if the rally will be replayed or not on a disputed call. Only the Condo Water Volleyball Captain may communicate with the Referee. Once play has resumed, a call may no longer be disputed. The Referee, at his discretion, may involve the captain(s) in a discussion. Once a game has been completed, no appeals will be allowed for a disputed game.
24. If a game is forfeited before or after play has begun, the non-forfeiting team wins by a score of 21-14.
25. If an ineligible player is later discovered to have played, those games and matches will be forfeited, and the opposing team declared the winner of the games (score of 21-14) and the match.
26. Once the game or match is completed, protests are not allowed, and the ruling of the Referee and the scores are considered as final.
27. Timeouts:
    1. The Referee may grant a timeout whenever, in the opinion of the Referee, there is a valid reason for a timeout. The timeout will be limited to ten minutes (maximum) or less as deemed necessary by the Referee. If, in the opinion of the Referee, the game is being intentionally delayed without sufficient or valid reason, the Referee will give a warning. If play is not resumed immediately, the delaying team will forfeit the game/match.
    2. In the event of unforeseen delays not caused by either team, the Referee will confer with the two Captains and the Referee will decide if play should continue after a reasonable time delay, or if the game should be suspended and the remainder of the game/match rescheduled by the Water Volleyball Sport Captain.
28. Only the Water Volleyball Sport Captain may reschedule games/matches. Games/matches will be rescheduled only for valid reasons as determined by the Water Volleyball Sport Captain. All rescheduled games/matches must be played during the designated dates/times for rescheduled games/matches.

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