Tournament Format, Information & Rules

Doors typically open around 7:15 am for participants. Upon arrival All participants must sign a liability waiver before participating in each tournament. Please turn in your liability waiver form before you step on the gym floor.

Captains meeting is set 15 minutes before the tournament starts to go over rules and if anyone has any questions they can address them at the meeting. Sometimes the National Anthem will be sung and each participant is to conduct themselves in a respectful manner as we display the flag and anthem. If you choose not to participate, you are welcome to remove yourself to the lobby outside the gym.

After the anthem warm-ups will start and then the tournament will follow. All teams must be ready to go. All participants must be at the school by 7:45 am. It doesn’t matter if your team doesn’t play right away or not. Each team must provide a score keeper, two line judges, and 1 down referee.

The tournament is on a rolling schedule. The only break that will be given is during the preparations of the bracket seedings. Participants are asked not to leave the school or facility. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all participants. If you don’t like what is provided. You may bring a sack lunch.

Some of the schools have a contract with Coca-Cola. This means no other beverages besides coke products will be allowed into the tournament. If you are caught you will be asked to dump it out or leave the facility.

Net Rule:
a. It’s a FAULT if a player touches ANY part of the net during his or her attempt to play the ball. His or Her attempt to play the ball is defined as the moment he or she starts their approach/block/etc….
Center Line Rule:
a. In USA rules (the rules we use) there is basically NO center line violation unless there is interference with the play.
b. If a foot is completely over the line AND contact with another player occurs, it’s a violation.
c. If any part of the body is on or above the center line, but no contact or interference occurs, there is no violation.
d. If the foot is on or above the center line (not completely across the line), there can be no violation.
Co-Ed Rule:
a. No Gender Hit Rule in 4’s.
b. You must start the tournament with 4 players, and not have more men than women.
c. You are a team of 4 and 1 player becomes injured and unable to play. You may continue play with one of the following combinations. 2FM-1M or 1FM-2M.
d. If a match is played with 3 players and one of the players is ejected from the match or is injured, leaving the team with just 2 players. The match will be recorded as a forfeit.
d. No open hand tipping.
e. No lateral setting. Players must be squared to the net when setting the ball over the net.
f. You must designate a back row player each rotation.
g. All matches must be played with the game balls provided. We use Molten Flistatec 5000
h. This is not a Reverse 4’s Tournament.
i. Blocking or attacking a served ball is illegal.
j. Dead Balls: A player steps onto another court at any time. The ball hits a wall. And if the ball hits the ceiling and goes over to the other side.
k. We will discuss boundaries, and structural play rules the day of the tournament.
Warm Ups:
a. Each team will get a 5 minute warm up. (2-2-1)
b. Once all teams have played their first round of pool play, there will be no warm ups.
c. 2 minute warm up in bracket play. (1-1) While we are preparing the seeding brackets. All participants must go sit down to their designated areas, while the gym floor will be swept! No teams allowed on the court while sweeping. As soon as Olin and Chad complete the bracket seeds. All teams will go back on the court and the 2 minute warm ups will start. After the first round of bracket play you will not get any warm ups. Championships, (Only) will have a 5 minute warm up (2-2-1)
Time Outs:
a. Each team will have 2 (30) second times out per match.
b. If the score is tied 25-25 and both teams have exhausted their time outs. The captain may call a 3rd (30) second time out. This will only be allowed if the score is tied 25-25 (Note) This not part of a USA Volleyball or NFHS time out rule. This a rule that Adult Big Sky Volleyball put in place for this tournament.
Serve or Receive:
a. Captains will do Rock-Paper-Scissors- Shoot- to determine serve or receive.
Score Keepers:
a. All score keepers must verify with the team captain that scores are correct.
b. Please make sure all captains initial the score sheets before you turn them into the desk.
c. Score keepers must bring the score sheet to the registration desk before you are able to get a new score sheet for the next game.

The 2021 USAV indoor rules book will be in effect for this men’s tournament, Key Rules for this tournament are as follows:

Pool Play: 2 games to 21 cap at 231st Round of Bracket Play: 1 Game to 25 2nd Round of Bracket Play: best 2-out-of-3 match will be rally scoring to 15 points. Loser bracket matches will be 1 game to 25, win by 2. Double Elimination- Bracket seeding will be determined by the position of each team within their pool first by Win\Loss record. If two teams are tied in match record, the result of head-to-head match will determine higher seed. If no head-to-head match occurred, point differential (points for – points against) will determine higher seed. If each team have the same point differential then the higher seed will be determined by coin toss.

Work schedule will be posted along with the pool play schedule. Losing team during bracket play must stay and work the next available match. Working teams must provide a Ref, 2 line judges, and a score keeper. Each team referee must have their own whistle, we will have electric whistles available if needed. The Fox 40 whistles are $4.98 at Walmart.

Men’s Net height is 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches. Players should bring their own warmup balls. Adult Big Sky Volleyball is not responsible for lost or stolen volleyballs. Game Balls are not to be used for warm-up balls. Game balls will be provided. We will be using the Molten Flistatec v5m5000 NCAA for the tournament! No other balls will be used. No exceptions! Each team will have 2-30 second time outs.

Captains will rock, paper, scissors, shoot to determine serve or receive. You must start the tournament with 4 players! If a player becomes injured you may play with 3 players.

There are NO court position restrictions or requirements in 4’s volleyball, but service rotation must remain the same throughout a single game. No open-handed tipping: Players who contact the ball with one hand and are putting the ball over the net must cleanly hit with the heel or palm of hand (a roll shot), with straight, locked fingers and a locked wrist (a cobra), knurled fingers.

If a player is going to play the ball into the opponent’s court by setting or volleying, the player must contact the ball with 2 hands above the shoulders and it must be set directly forward or backward in relation to the player’s body (shoulders and hips should be in the same position from prior to the set happening). NO DUMPING! This applies even if it is the team’s 3rd hit. Redirection of the ball while blocking is a fault.

Each team must have at least 3 players on the court. This is a men’s tournament and only men will be allowed to participate. No exceptions! It’s a FAULT if a player touches ANY part of the net during his attempt to play the ball. There is basically NO center line violation unless there is interference with the play If a foot is completely over the line AND contact with another player occurs, it’s a violation.

If any part of the body is on or above the center line, but no contact or interference occurs, there is no violation. No lateral setting. Players must be squared to the net when setting the ball over the net. Each team must play within its own playing area and space. You can not play the ball into another court, you can not step into the other court after playing the ball. This includes any court occupied or unoccupied.

Any court with a net setup on it is considered out of play. We will discuss boundaries, and structural rules the day of the tournament at the captains meeting.

Warm-ups: Teams will be allowed 5 minutes to warm-up only during their first match in pool play. Teams will be given another 5 minute warmup during the first round of bracket play, this warmup time starts 2 minutes after seeding when the bracket is posted. Championships (Only) will be allowed a 5 minute warm-up.

International Pursuit Rule:The international pursuit rule will be used provided the play does not extend into the spectator seating area. This allows players to cross under the net or net cable to retrieve the ball into the opponents free zone. (out of bounds but past the net. The ball must be played to the outside of the antenna to a teammate for play to continue.

a. The Women’s tournament will be played on a women’s height net at 7 feet 4 1/8 inches.

b. Warm up balls will be provided.

c. We will be using the Molten NCAA L2’s Volleyball for the tournament! No other balls will be used. No exceptions!

d. Each team will have 2-30 second time outs. If the score is tied 25-25 and both teams exhausted their time outs. They may call a 3rd time out. (This is only if the score is tied 25-25)

e. Captains will rock, paper, scissors, shoot to determine serve or receive. You must start the tournament with 4 players! If a player becomes injured you may play with 3 players.

f. Pool Play is 1 game to 25 CAP at 27

g. Bracket Play will be 1 game to 25 CAP 27 for the 1^st round. 2^nd Round best of 2 and if it goes to a 3rd game it will be 1 game 15 CAP at 17.

Net Rule

a. It’s a FAULT if a player touches ANY part of the net during her attempt to play the ball. Her attempt to play the ball is defined as the moment she starts her approach/block/etc….

Center Line Rule:

a.. USA rules (the rules we use) there is basically NO center line violation unless there is interference with the play.

b. If a foot is completely over the line AND contact with another player occurs, it’s a violation.

c. If any part of the body is on or above the center line, but no contact or interference occurs, there is no violation.

d. If the foot is on or above the center line (not completely across the line), there can be no violation.

e. No open hand tipping

f. No lateral setting. Players must be squared to the net when setting the ball over the net.

g. You must designate a back row player for each rotation.

h. Dead Balls: A player steps onto another court at any time. The ball hits a wall. And if the ball hits the ceiling and goes over to the other side.

i. We will discuss boundaries, and structural rules the day of the tournament at the captains meeting.

Warm Ups:

a. Each team will get a 5 minute warm up. (2-2-1)

b. Once all teams have played their first round of pool play, there will be no warm ups.

c. 2 minute warm up in bracket play. (1-1) As soon as the bracket seeding is available your 2 minute warm ups will start. After the first round of bracket play you will not get any warm ups. Championships, (Only) will have a 5 minute warm up (2-2-1)

Co-ed 6s – Each team must consist of a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 14 players, 18 years of age or older. 6 players, 3 males and 3 females must compete on each side. There is a maximum of 3 males on either side at any given time. A team may play with a minimum of 4 players, but must play a minimum of two females. If a team has fewer than these minimums, the game will be forfeited.

START OF GAME

Rock, Paper, Scissors, will be played between the two captains to determine serve or side. The losing captain will receive the remaining option.
Co-ed 6s – 6 players, 3 males and 3 females must compete on each side. There will be a maximum of 3 males on either side at any given time. A team may play with a minimum of 4 players, but must play a minimum of two females.

GAME RULES

Co-ed 6s – A woman must hit the ball before it is returned over the net, if the ball is hit more than once. A gender fault will occur (side out) if this transpires.
The volleyball is “in” and the point will be awarded to the proper team, when it contacts the ground of the playing court including the boundary lines.
The volleyball is “out” and the point will be awarded to the proper team, when it contacts the ground completely outside the boundary line or touches any object outside the court.
Teams may only hit the volleyball a maximum of three times (in addition to blocking) for returning the ball.
A player may break the plane on a spike and a block, as long as they do not interfere with the opponent’s attempt of a returning shot.
The volleyball must be hit, not caught and thrown.
The volleyball may touch the net as it goes over.
No receiving player may block a serve or attack a serve above the plane of the net.
A volleyball driven into the net may be recovered within the limits of the three hits, except on the service.
Players must rotate clockwise through each rotation.
Substitution will be made in between points and to the service position.
Each team will have one, 30 seconds, timeout per game.
After each game, teams will switch sides.
The Libero is not allowed.
There is no “Ghost Rule”.

FAULTS / SIDE OUTS

The volleyball hits outside of the boundaries.
A player has contact with the net.
A team hits the volleyball four hits.
A player hitting the ball two times consecutively (does not apply to a block to a hit by the same player).
A player touches the ball or an opponent in the opponent’s space before or during the opponents hit.
A carry, lift or throw.
Not using a female on one of the three hits, unless the volleyball goes over on first hit.
An illegal rotation occurs.

SCORING

Teams will play each match best of 3 games. Each game will be played to 25 points.
Teams must have a 2 points advantage to win, with a cap of 29 points (teams may win by a 1 point advantage when 29 points is achieved).
Teams will switch sides at 13 points during the 3rd game.
All games will be rally scoring (points will be awarded to either the serving or receiving team).

FORFEITS

Co-ed 6s – If a team cannot court at least 4 players with a minimum of 2 Females, they automatically forfeit.
If a team cannot court a team 20 minutes into the match start time, they automatically forfeit.
Teams forfeiting two matches of play in one season are eligible to be removed from the league with no refund.
Teams that forfeit their third match of play will automatically be removed from the league with no refund. Teams are encouraged to contact FXA’s office to inform us you will be forfeiting 24 hours in advance.

TIEBREAKER – REGULAR SESSION & PLAYOFFS

Wins / Losses
Head-to-Head
Game Differential
Coin Flip

An Open in sports terminology refers to a sporting event or game tournament that is open to contestants regardless of their professional or amateur status, age, ability, gender, sex, or other categorization. An open format would could be All Men or All Women or whatever format you may choose.
Rules For 6 on 6 Open will be uploaded soon!

What is rotating pairs? You stick with your co-ed or same-sex teammate throughout the whole day, but you will play with & against every pair in your pool you will be playing 4v4 every game. Each pair will be assigned to a net of 4 other pairs. After each pair has played through the pool (with and against the other 4 pairs), all pairs will be re-assigned a new net based on their performance. At this point, each net will have a new pool of 5.

We will have electronic whistles to use for the tournament. If you are uncomfortable using them. You are required to bring your own whistle that is approved through Adult Big Sky Volleyball. We usually require the Classic Fox 40 Whistle that can be purchased at your local Walmart. If you don’t have one. Adult Big Sky Volleyball has them for sale for $7.00. That $7.00 must be paid through Venmo before you are allowed to use it. Please do not bring a cheap whistle. Participants needs to be able to hear your whistle.

Electronic Whistle Device

As for right now there is No Charge to watch the tournaments. This may change in Fall of 2022. It is Free to the public.

This is an update from 5/1/2021

We are now able to have spectators at all tournaments. Spectators must use the hand sanitizer stations. Each spectator is to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. They will be asked to leave the tournament if they cannot conduct themselves in a respectful manner.

Adult Big Sky Volleyball at this current time does not offer any concession stands to the public. Spectators are not allowed to eat or drink any of the products that are provided for the participants, unless they are given permission from Chad Duca. Usually towards the end of the tournament we give out drinks and left over food. If any spectator helps themselves without permission, they will be asked to leave.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
a. argumentation, intimidation, acting contrary to good manners or moral principles, expressing contempt.
b. Offensive conduct: defamatory or insulting words, gestures or bullying.
c. Aggression: physical attack or intended aggression. (This also includes; kicking or slamming the ball down)
d. All captains will have Red and Yellow Cards.
e. Yellow Card First offense: side out/point. Second offense a red card will given to the participant. The participant then will be ejected from the game, and security will be contacted to have you escorted out the gym. There is No Warnings with this!

DISCIPLINARY RULES – The following suspensions and fees apply for misconduct during Adult Big Sky Volleyball activities:

(Ejection)
i. Any participant ejected by Adult Big Sky Volleyball staff or team captains, must leave the gym immediately! The incident will be documented and the participant must pay a $50.00 fine to Adult Big Sky Volleyball before they are allowed to participate in future tournament events.

ii. If the ejection is the result of violence, or sexual harassment. The participant will be suspended indefinitely from (ALL) Adult Big Sky Volleyball Tournaments. And depending on the situation, law enforcement could be contacted.

Items, Cell Phones, Wallet‘s and Purses:
a. Adult Big Sky Volleyball and and the hosting facility is NOT Responsible for any lost or stolen items.
b. Please leave your money at home, or in your car.
c. If anyone is caught in any sort of theft action. Law enforcement will be contacted.
d. Women, if you bring your purses inside. Please keep track of them and make sure your important belongings are left in your car.
e. No Loud Music from your phones.
f. If you are going to bring your cell phone, you must use hand sanitizer every time you touch your phone after your match.

Harassment & Bullying:
a. There is to be No sexual harassment of any kind. You will be asked to leave immediately.
b. There is to be No bullying of any kind. You will be asked to leave immediately.
c. Everyone is here to have fun. There is no warnings with this.
d. Treat everyone with respect!
Smoking, Tobacco, Firearms:
a. No smoking on school grounds.
b. If you have the urge to smoke. You must be 20 feet away from the building.
c. No E Cigarettes or Vaping on school grounds.
d. Even if you use E Cigarettes, and Vape. You must be 20 feet away from the building.
e. No chewing Tobacco at all. If you get caught with chew in your mouth you will be asked to leave.
f. No Firearms whatsoever! Adult Big Sky Volleyball and the hosting facility does not care if you have a license to carry or not. You are prohibited to NOT bring those on school property.
Sportsmanship and Conduct:
a. If any team member shows any poor sportsmanship, you will receive a YELLOW card and Second offense you will receive a RED card, and will be asked to leave the gym.
b. Treat all team players, opponents, , Captains, Score Keepers, Line Judges, Officials, Tournament Coordinators and Directors with respect.
c. Sometimes it slips out. But refrain from using profanity language.

Restrooms:

a. Restrooms will be available for all participants. Please make sure you leave the restrooms clean.

Trash Cans/Garbage:
a. All participants must put their trash in the trash cans that are provided by the school. Do not leave candy wrappers on the floor.