Volleyball Rules

The main of volleyball is for a team to send the ball over the net and ground it on the opponent’s court while preventing the opponent from doing the same. Volleyball emphasizes teamwork, communication, and strategy, requiring players to serve, pass, set, attack, block, and defend with control and precision. Points are scored when the ball lands in the opponent’s court, the opposing team commits a fault, or fails to return the ball properly within the allowed three touches.

Code of Conduct

Fighting or deliberately attempting to injure another player results in immediate removal from the league (zero tolerance).
All players must follow the Carleton University Intramural & Adult League Player Code of Conduct.
Unsportsmanlike actions such as taunting, aggression, intimidation, or intentional fouls are prohibited.

General Information

Players may join one volleyball team per league per semester.
Open to Carleton students, staff/faculty, and alumni with active gym memberships.
All players must be registered and check in before matches.
Minimum 4 games required for playoff eligibility.
Valid ID must be presented to participate.
Team shirts must be worn.
Governed by FIVB Rule Book + Carleton-specific rules.
Fighting or deliberate harm results in removal from the league.

Game Supervision

One league official and one organizer per game.
Officials handle sign-ins and officiating.
Respect for staff is mandatory; misconduct may lead to ejection.
Captains are responsible for team conduct.

Equipment

No hard casts or jewelry allowed.
Only non-marking court shoes permitted.
Standard volleyball and net (7′ 4 1/8″) used.

Players

6 vs 6 format.
Coed teams must maintain a 3:3 or 4:2 gender ratio.
Minimum 4 players to start.
Spares allowed with approval.
Roster must be finalized before first game.

2. Time

Matches start 10 minutes past the hour and last up to 55 minutes.
No extra sets in regular season.
Time kept by referee only.

3. Boundaries

Standard volleyball court used.

4. General Play

One toss per serve allowed.
Net serves are legal.
No blocking/spiking serves.
Honest calls encouraged; final decisions by officials.
Double hits allowed on hard-driven balls.
Contact with any body part is legal.
Crossing under net allowed if no interference or center line violation.
Hands may cross net when blocking or spiking (if initiated on own side).
Net contact is a violation.
Illegal backcourt attacks must be called by players.

5. Scoring

Sets 1 & 2: to 25 points (cap at 27).
Set 3: to 15 points (cap at 17).

6. Coin Toss

Captains flip coin to decide serve or receive.

Divisions

Recreational: Beginners/new to volleyball.
Intermediate: Some experience; basic skills.
Competitive: Advanced players with positional knowledge.

League Standings & Points

Win = 2 points, Tie = 1 point, Loss = 0 points
No overtime in round-robin play.
Weekly standings are posted on the Carleton Rec website.

Forfeits & Defaults

Arrive 10 minutes early.
Default game 1 if not ready by 10 minutes past the hour.
Full match default after 15 minutes.
Defaults recorded as 0–25, 0–25.
Use Fusion IM to declare default/forfeit 10 hours prior.

Tie Breaks

Two Teams Tied:

Set/point differential
Head-to-head
Coin flip

Three Teams Tied:

Set/point differential
Head-to-head
Coin flip

Playoff Format

Varies by league structure and facility availability.

Cancellation Policy

First cancellation: no reschedule or refund.
2nd+ cancellation: Rescheduled or partial credit next season.

Injury Policy

Injuries must be reported to officials.
Bleeding players removed until safe to return.
Participation is voluntary and at own risk.