Rose City Adult Volleyball Rules & Policies

Welcome to Rose City Adult Volleyball. We're glad to have you joining us for the Monday League. Please read through these rules before the season starts, since we all officiate our own games and it only works if everyone is on the same page.

1. League Format & Playing Time

Match Structure: Each team plays two matches per league night. Each match is three sets, and all three are always played and count toward the record. The first two sets go to 25 and the third to 15, win by 2 (caps of 30 and 20).
Time Limit: Each team is scheduled for two hours of play. If you finish a full match early (all 3 sets), keep playing for fun rather than sitting around or leaving.
Prompt Starts: Start each set promptly. Time is fixed, so unfinished matches don't get extra time. Teams can start with a minimum of 4 while maintaining all other applicable roster rules.
Warm-Ups: There is no separate warm-up period. Use the time while the nets are being set up, and arrive early enough to be ready.
Between Sets: Spiking is prohibited between sets. Use the breaks to hydrate and reset.
Timeouts: No timeouts, except for injuries or safety reasons.
Late Teams / Forfeits: Each hour of play has its own start time. A team that can't field a legal roster within 10 minutes of the hour's start forfeits the first set. If the roster is still short at 30 minutes, the team forfeits that hour's match, recorded as 25-0, 25-0, 15-0. While you wait, teams are encouraged to combine players and play for fun. A forfeited first match doesn't affect the second hour, which has the same 10- and 30-minute limits.

2. Team Requirements & Skill Levels

Roster Composition: Teams must have at least one female player on the roster and at least one on the court at all times. This is not a traditional coed format with set numbers of men and women on the court.
Safety & Skill Adjustments: Hit hard, but ease off against players who can't defend it. Adjust the power, placement, or difficulty of your attacks to keep rallies safe and competitive.
Respect: Respect all players regardless of skill level. Everyone should get a chance to play and improve.

3. Self-Officiating & Disputes

No Referees: There are no referees or line judges during regular league play. Teams officiate their own matches: keep score, make line calls, and call your own violations.
Honest Calls: Call violations honestly, including net violations, center-line violations, foot faults, lifts, carries, and double contacts.
In/Out Calls: Make accurate in/out calls, including whether the ball touched the net, antenna, ceiling, walls, or other objects under the rules below.
Dispute Resolution: If a call is questioned, communicate respectfully. If the captains can't settle it quickly, replay the rally. Don't let a dispute turn into a long argument.
Supervisor Role: If you see repeated unfair calls, missed violations, or dishonest self-officiating, tell the supervisor. Do not argue with or confront the other team. The supervisor helps resolve disputes, clarify rules, and handle repeated issues. Their decision is final on all league matters, including rules interpretations, disputes, and conduct.
Grace: Accept reasonable mistakes and missed calls. It's a self-officiated league, and everyone shares responsibility for keeping it fair.

4. Scores & Standings

Reporting: Report the score of each completed set to the supervisor promptly.
Confirmation: Captains should confirm scores with their opponents before reporting.

5. Volleyball Rules

Unless noted below, league play follows current USAV rules.

Scoring: Rally scoring.
Let Serves: A serve that hits the net and legally crosses is playable.
Rotation: Rotate servers in the correct order.
Net Violations: Contact with the net is a fault when prohibited under USAV rules. Incidental contact with hair or clothing alone is not a fault.
Center Line: Crossing the center line is a fault if it interferes with the opponent's play or creates a safety risk. Otherwise, use judgment. Safety comes before points.
Lifts and Carries: Called per USAV rules.
Double Contacts: Called per current USAV rules. On the second team contact, the ball may touch different parts of the body in succession during one action, as long as a teammate touches it next.
Service Foot Faults: A foot fault is when the entire foot crosses the service line during service. A foot on the line is legal. If you think a server is repeatedly crossing the line, bring it up with the opposing captain rather than calling it across the court or making accusations. Captains, don't take this personally, and encourage your teammates to call their own violations. Use judgment when a foot fault has little impact on play. If the captains can't resolve it, contact the supervisor.
Ball Handling: Call your own violations honestly, including illegal contacts and other faults.
Court Safety: If a playable ball enters another court and a nearby player has a legitimate chance to play it, replay the rally. Do not run onto an active court.

6. Gym & Facility Rules

Because we play in indoor gyms with limited space and overhead obstructions, these house rules apply:

Overhead Objects: A ball that hits the ceiling, lights, banners, or other overhead objects on your side is still playable if it otherwise meets the rules. If a ball hits the ceiling or an overhead object and then crosses the net, the rally is dead.
Walls: Walls are out. This includes the center red curtain at Columbia Christian (when down) and the green dividing curtains at Beaverton YMCA.
Wall-Mounted Objects: A ball that hits a wall-mounted object, such as a basketball hoop, within 2 meters (~6 feet) of the court is replayed if a player had a chance to play it.
Clear Spaces: Keep sidelines, end lines, and walkways clear of belongings and spectators.
Equipment: Bring your own volleyballs for warm-ups and match play. Game balls are not provided, and they should be properly inflated for indoor use.
Warm-up Etiquette: Warm up with awareness of nearby players, courts, equipment, and spectators. Spiking is prohibited between sets. Use set breaks to hydrate and reset, not to hit balls or run drills.
Conduct Rules: No alcohol, tobacco, or vaping on the premises. ZERO TOLERANCE.

7. Sportsmanship & Conduct

Respect: Compete hard, and respect your opponents, teammates, and the supervisor regardless of the score.
No Arguing: Do not argue, taunt, or intimidate over calls.
Disagreements: Disagreements go through the captains. If they can't settle it quickly, replay the rally or bring in the supervisor. Do not confront opponents over repeated issues. Take them to the supervisor.
Consequences: Unsafe play, repeated unsportsmanlike conduct, or failure to follow league policies may result in a warning, removal from play, or other action at the supervisor's and director's discretion.
Supervisor Authority: Follow the supervisor's instructions. Their authority covers safety decisions, disputes, and enforcement of these policies.

Thank you for helping make Rose City Adult Volleyball a competitive, welcoming, and enjoyable league for everyone.