Volleyball Rules

Volleyball League Rules

Volo welcomes all players. As with our workplace practices, we will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We strictly prohibit harassment of any kind. To read our full Player Code of Conduct, please reference this PDF.

Match Format

• Matches are best-of-3 sets

• Sets 1 and 2 are played to 21 points (win by 2; cap at 25)

• If a third set is needed, it is played to 15 points (no win by 2)

• Teams switch sides after each set and halfway through the third set

• Rally scoring is used (a point is scored on every rally)

Serving

• Server must be behind the end line until contact with the ball

• Serves may be underhand or overhand in intermediate/ all levels leagues 

  • All serves must be overhand in advanced divisions 

  • All serves must be underhand in beginner/ division

• Let serves (ball touching the net but landing inbounds) are legal

Rotation

• Teams rotate clockwise after gaining the serve

• All players must maintain correct rotational order on the court

Gameplay Rules

• Each team may hit the ball up to 3 times before it must go over the net

• A block does not count as one of the 3 touches

• Players may not hit the ball twice in succession (except after a block)

• The ball may be played with any part of the body

• No carrying, lifting, or throwing the ball (self-reffed - upper intermediate/advanced divisions should call these more frequently and without any courtesy calls)

Net Rules

• No player may touch the net during play (self-reffed - upper intermediate/advanced divisions should call these more frequently and without any courtesy calls)

• Players may not cross under the net or interfere with opponents

• The ball may contact the net during play (including serves) as long as it lands in on the opponents' side of the court

Court Boundaries

• The ball is in if it lands on the line

• If the ball hits the ceiling and lands on the same side, play continues

• If it hits the ceiling and crosses the net, it's a dead ball

Forfeits

• A forfeit is declared if a team is not ready to play 10 minutes after the scheduled start time

Sportsmanship

• Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in warnings, point deductions, or ejections

• Respect officials, opponents, and teammates at all times

Playoff Rules

• We aim to include as many teams as possible in the playoffs, but only the top 4 teams are guaranteed a playoff spot based on regular season standings

• Seeding is based on regular-season standings (e.g., win-loss record, head-to-head results, point differential as tiebreakers)

• Playoff rounds are single elimination, unless otherwise specified

• All playoff matches follow the same best-of-3 format as regular season

• Higher-seeded team has choice of serve/side in the first set

• Only rostered players are eligible to compete in the playoffs

• Forfeits in playoffs result in automatic advancement of the opposing team