FALL 2026. THURS. COED 4'S VOLLEYBALL

Beach Volleyball- 7 WEEKS OF PLAY. 1 WEEK OF PLAYOFFS. LEAGUES ARE 21+ NO EXCEPTIONS. IF YOU REGISTER A TEAM WITH A MINOR ON IT, YOU WILL NOT GET A REFUND AND WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE LEAGUE.

!! GAMES WILL START AT 7PM. THERE IS A 15MIN GRACE PERIOD FOR THOSE RUNNING LATE. AFTER THAT, IT IS DEEMED A FORFEIT.

!! TEAMS WILL GET 2 GAMES A NIGHT. (DEPENDING ON LEAGUE, THERE MAY BE ROOM FOR A 3RD)

!! IN THE EVENT OF RAIN OR POOR PLAYING CONDITIONS DUE TO WEATHER, AN OFFICIAL CALL WILL BE MADE BY 5PM ON THE DISTRICT 2.4.9 LEAGUES FACEBOOK PAGE.

!! THERE ARE NO SUBS ALLOWED IN WEEK 8 (PLAYOFFS)

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Intermediate Recreational Coed 4s League Rules

League Format

• Recreational/Fun Coed Sand Volleyball League

• Sand volleyball adult league style rules based on USA Volleyball Rules

• Relaxed officiating and sportsmanship-focused play

Court & Equipment

Court Size

• Standard beach doubles court:

  • 16m x 8m

Net Height

• Men’s beach volleyball net height (7’ 11 1/8”)

Ball

• Official AVP size and weight sand volleyball

Team Requirements

Players on Court

• Teams may have up to 4 players on the court at one time

• Teams are allowed to play with:

• 2 Rostered players (with or without subs)

• 3 Rostered players (with or without subs)

• or 4 Rostered players

Female Requirement

• All Coed Teams must have at least:

• 1 female player on the court at all times

Minimum Players

• A team must have at least 2 Rostered players to begin and continue a match (otherwise the game may be played but will be recorded as a forfeit)

Substitutions

• No Limit on substitutions allowed during a set

• Substitutions are allowed only after a side-out by the team assuming the serve

• Substitute players must rotate into the serving order of the player they are replacing

Match Format

Match Structure for regular season

• Best 2 out of 3 sets

Scoring

            A point is scored by successfully landing the ball on the opponent’s court

Sets 1 & 2

• Played to 21 points

• Must Win by 2

Set 3 (if needed)

• Played to 15 points

• Must Win by 2

Rally Scoring

• Every rally results in a point

Side Switches

• Teams May switch sides every:

  • Set during normal league play

  • If it is determined by either team that an advantage (such as wind or sun conditions) is present, teams shall change sides

    • After each 7th point in sets to 21

    • After each 5th point in set to 15

Serving Rules

Serve Order

• Players must maintain serving order throughout the set

• Servers must rotate, however the player positions may remain static

Let Serves

• Let serves are legal

• A serve touching the net and going over remains in play

Serve Receive

• Open-hand serve receive is legal, provided that simultaneous initial contact is made.

Players may:

• Receive serves with open hands

• Use overhead hand passes on serve receive

• Use controlled finger passes during first contact

• A “double” foul is only called IF a player makes second contact outside of one continuous effort. (ie. A ball may make contact with a players forearm and then deflect off their shoulder, so long as the player does not make an effort to initiate the second contact)

Clean Contact Standard

Because this is a recreational/fun league, open-hand contacts will be judged using a relaxed standard.

A “clean” open handed contact is one that leaves both players hands simultaneously and has no more than one and a half rotations in the air. However, for Intermediate league play, spins are not counted and only clean initial contact shall be considered.

Open-hand serve receive is considered legal when:

• The ball is controlled reasonably clean

• The contact is not excessively prolonged

• The ball is not caught and thrown (lift and carry)

• Slight doubles or uneven finger contact will generally be allowed during normal recreational play.

• League officials and referees may use discretion to prioritize fair play, rally continuation, and the recreational nature of the league over strict technical enforcement.

Hand Sets & Ball Rotation

This league uses relaxed recreational standards for hand setting.

Slight spin or rotation on a hand set is allowed and will not automatically be considered a fault.

A set is considered legal when:

• The ball is released cleanly

• Contact is reasonably controlled

• The ball does not visibly lift, carry, or come to rest

Players will not be penalized for minor rotation, uneven release, or slight double contact commonly seen during recreational sand volleyball play.

However, excessively prolonged contact, obvious throws, or deep carries may still be called at the referee’s or league official’s discretion.

The intent of this rule is to:

• Promote longer rallies

• Encourage fun and competitive play

• Reduce overly technical faults

• Maintain a relaxed recreational environment while preserving fair play

Lifts & Carries

Lifts and carries are not allowed.

A lift or carry occurs when:

• The ball comes to rest visibly during contact

• A player throws, scoops, or catches the ball

• Contact is excessively prolonged

• The ball is redirected or pushed with directional arm or finger movement

• Open hand contact is LEGAL, provided that the ball rebounds off the hand and does not come to rest in the hand, and the fingers stay ridged and do not push the ball in a direction.

Examples of illegal contacts may include:

• Underhand scooping of the ball

• Open-handed catching motion

• Throwing the ball during a set or attack

• Deep prolonged palm contact

While this league uses relaxed recreational standards for clean hand contact and slight doubles, obvious lifts and carries will still be called to maintain fair play and consistent ball handling.

Officials and referees may use reasonable discretion based on the speed of play and the recreational nature of the league.

Playing the Ball

Contacts

• Maximum of 3 team contacts

• A block does not count as a contact and the same player that made contact at the block may make the next contact in succession

Hand Setting

• Open-hand setting allowed

• Relaxed hand-setting rules apply

Open-Hand Attacks

• Open-hand tips or dinks are not allowed unless the ball obviously rebounds off the hand with fingers remaining ridged and not directing or pushing the ball.

• Attacks must be contacted cleanly

Players may use:

• Any part of the body may make contact with the ball, so long as the ball rebounds naturally and it is of a single effort by the contacting player.

Referees may call illegal attacks if the ball is visibly pushed, directed, or thrown with open fingers.

Attacking

• Any player may attack from anywhere on the court

Gender Rules

• No gender contact restrictions

• No required female touches

• Men and women may block or attack equally

Blocking & Serve Rules

Blocking or Attacking a Serve

• Blocking a serve is not allowed

• A player may not contact the ball above the height of the net directly off an opponent’s serve from in front of the 10’ line of their court.

• A serve must be allowed to cross the plane of the net before being played below net height

Blocking Contacts

• A block does not count as a team contact

• Teams are still allowed up to 3 additional contacts after a block

Second Contact Setting Rule

Setting Over the Net

A player may set the ball over the net on second contact provided:

• The set is clean

• The player’s shoulders are facing forward toward the intended direction of the ball during release, the ball must travel perpendicular (front or back) to the players shoulders

Intentionally redirected hand sets may be called illegal at the referee’s discretion.

Relaxed recreational hand-setting standards still apply.

Pursuit Rule

Pursuing the Ball

• Players may pursue a ball outside the court boundaries provided it does not interfere with another court, players, or spectators

• The ball must cross back over the net within the crossing space (the area directly above and between the court boundaries) or the antenna plane when antennas are being used

Player safety and interference with neighboring courts always take priority.

Net & Boundary Rules

Net Contact

• Players may not contact the net during active play

• ANY contact with the net is a foul and play must be stopped. This includes unintentional contact.

• Exception: when net contact happens away from the play of the ball and does not alter the play or impede any players.

Center Line

• Players may cross under the net if it does not interfere with opponents

• If any portion of a players body crosses over or under the net and interferes with an opposing player, it is a foul and play shall stop

Ball In/Out

• Balls contact with the Boundary lines are considered IN

Antenna Rules

Antennas

• If antennas are present, the ball must cross the net between the antennas or their imaginary vertical extension (referred to as the crossing space)

• If antennas are not present, normal sideline extension will determine the legal crossing space

Any ball crossing completely outside the legal crossing space is considered out of play.

Match Start & Forfeit Rules

Grace Period

• Teams are allowed a 9-minute grace period after the scheduled match start time

• Exception: if the team has not concluded their previous game

Forfeit Procedures

• After the 9-minute grace period, the first set may be forfeited

• Continued absence may result in full match forfeiture

League officials may adjust schedules as necessary due to weather, tournament flow, or facility timing.

Interference & Replay Rules

Replay/Hinder Rule

ANY AND ALL disagreements over a call shall result in a replay of that rally. This is a recreational league and there is no reason to argue a single point.

A rally may be stopped and replayed if outside interference significantly affects play.

Examples may include:

• Ball entering the court from another match

• Unsafe court conditions

• Spectator interference

• Player safety concerns

League officials and referees may determine whether a replay is necessary based on the impact to the rally.

Timeouts

Team Timeouts

• Each team receives:

  • 1 timeout per set

Timeout Length

• 3 minutes

Sportsmanship & Conduct

Recreational Expectations

• Respect officials, opponents, and teammates

• Excessive arguing or unsportsmanlike behavior may result in:

  • Warning

  • Point penalty

  • Player removal

Recreational Rule Enforcement

• This league prioritizes flow of play and recreational enjoyment over strict technical enforcement

• Officials may use reasonable discretion on close-contact plays consistent with the spirit of recreational sand volleyball

Alcohol & Fun Environment

• Players MUST participate responsibly

• Intoxicated or dangerous behavior may result in removal from play

Weather Policy

Lightning

• Play stops immediately if lightning is observed nearby

Unsafe Conditions

• League officials may suspend play due to:

  • Severe weather

  • Unsafe courts

  • Poor visibility

League Official Discretion

League coordinators and referees reserve the right to make final rulings regarding:

• Rule interpretations

• Player eligibility

• Weather delays

• Sportsmanship issues

• Unsafe play situations

The overall goal of the league is to provide a fun, competitive, and enjoyable recreational sand volleyball environment for all participants.