RULES AND REGS

-Players start at back wall. Five on a side (additional players are in “jail” and are the first to go in) – teams start with at least 2 female players on the court.

-3 Balls are placed on the middle line and official yells, “Go!”

-At the start of each set, any player who retreived a ball from the middle line without crossing it must “check the ball”. What this means is that the player picks up the ball from the middle line, runs or jumps back behind the attack line with both feet touching the floor behind the line, not on it, before throwing forward. Or the ball can be thrown back behind the attack line, to a live player, before throwing it at the other team. Both strategies are called “Checking the ball”. Once a ball is “checked”, the player may go right up to the middle line again to throw the ball. If a player fails to get both feet back and down behind the attack line and before they throw the ball at an opponent that, player will be called out (the opposition does NOT get a player back in for this).

-Players can eliminate the opposition by hitting them with a ball that has not bounced off the wall or ground or by catching a throw before it touches the ground or wall.

-Fixtures on the walls (i.e. basketball nets etc.) are considered part of the wall.

-A ball that hits the ground or the wall is considered dead and cannot get anyone out.

-If you eliminate an opponent, one of your teammates is allowed to come back to the court (up to a maximum of 5) and must do so in a timely manner (up to the discretion of referee). Once any part of the incoming player’s body crosses the plain of the jail line, they are considered live even if their body part has not touched the court. If a player gets hit before they’ve even set foot on the court, they are out as long as their body part has/had already crossed the jail line. If they catch, same rule applies. They are a live player and the throwing player would be out.

-Players return to the game in the same order in which they were eliminated. No line jumping.

-Additional players (substitutes) are the first to re-enter the game to a maximum of 5.

-In some courts, areas are considered “hitting the floor”. This is specific to courts with bleachers or a stage close by ONLY. If the ball hits the horizontal surface of bleachers or a stage it is considered dead (as if it had hit the floor). However, no part of a basketball net or ledges are considered the floor. If a ball hits any part of a basketball net, including the mesh it is like hitting the wall.

-If a player is hit (clothing and hair count) or their ball is caught, they are eliminated.

-An “eliminated” player must raise their hand immediately and can no longer play the ball. If they have a ball in their possession, they can toss that ball to a teammate but may not deliberately play balls not in their possession.

-“Eliminated” players must make their way immediately to their designated jail area and remain in that order.

-While in jail, players must keep all body parts inside the jail. “Eliminated” players CANNOT lean out of jail to play a ball. Jails are behind the attack lines. “Eliminated” players are not to reach into or enter the neutral zone (between the attack lines) to play a ball. Balls stopped illegally by jail players must be rolled over to opposing team.

-If a ball goes into the jail area an “eliminated” player must put it back into play in a timely fashion. Jail players are NOT permitted to play the ball over the middle line. Throws must come through a live player. 

-Deliberately playing the ball when you have been “eliminated” is considered unsportsmanlike and is discouranged.

-A ball is live until it touches the ground, an “eliminated” player or the wall. This means if a ball bounces off a “live” player and is caught it is considered a “live ball” and the thrower is out. Similarly, if a ball hits two players before hitting the ground or the wall they are both eliminated. The other team would then have two players return to the court (to a maximum of 5).

-You may use a ball to block or deflect incoming throws, as long as you maintain possession of that ball. If you lose possession, and drop the ball, you are eliminated.

-If a player uses a ball to block or deflect and then releases their ball in a controlled manner to catch that ball or another ball, they are safe. 

– If you’re using a ball to deflect and the ball hits your hand, play on.  Your hand, up to your wrist is considered part of the ball. 

-If any part of a player crosses the middle line and touches the opponent’s side, that player is eliminated and the opposition does NOT get a player back in.

-Live players MUST keep some part of their body in the playing area at all times. Failure to do so will result in that player being eliminated. The opposition does NOT get a player back in for this. The only exception to this rule is when a live player cannot reach a ball that is sitting off the court. At this time the player should raise their hand quickly to signify that they intend to leave the court to retreive a ball (this is a deliberate move to get a ball and not the act of dodging). While out of bounds a player is live and can be hit and can catch but must return to the court in a timely fashion.

-Players may not deliberately use their jail to avoid being hit. Deliberately using “jail” players to block shots is considered poor sportsmanship. Players will receive one warning then will be called out.

-No hiding in jail at any time.

-HEAD SHOTS: If a player throws a ball that hits another standing player directly in the head/face neither the thrower nor the hit player are out – this is considered an “illegal ball” (see rule below). Deflected balls off hands, shoulders, walls, other players do not count as head shots. Onus is on the thrower to hit a player below the “head zone” – this is the area a player’s head would be when they are standing straight up). HOWEVER, If a player bends down, ducks or jumps their head is no longer in the “head zone”, it is not considered a head shot, and that player would be out. Head shot rules are up to the discretion of a referee and if it is questionable the call will go in favor of the hit player.

-Players must throw the balls below a “Waste Line”. This line will be designated by the referee prior to the game (approx. 8 feet high). A player who throws a ball above this line and regains possession of the ball because of it, must roll the ball back to the opponent – this is also considered an “illegal ball” (see rule below).This is a referee’s call and no player is out for it. This rule is intended to keep the game fast and to ensure thrown balls are “playable” by the defensive team.

-“Illegal balls” (Head shot or Wasted balls) cannot benefit the throwing team. Meaning, if an illegal ball causes the non-throwing team player to get hit, the player(s) will not be out. This is up to the discretion of the referee. (e.g. A player jumps or turns to stop a wasted ball and gets hit in the process. Or a head shot bounces off and hits another player – the player is not out). Also up to the discretion of the referee is if a throwing team has deliberately used a “head height” throw (doesn’t have to make contact with head) to distract a player in order to hit them with another ball. This practice/strategy is not permitted and is up to the discretion of the referee to call a hit player safe and/or warn the throwing team. If you receive a headshot and are hit with another in the same play, you are considered safe. The hit is washed due to the illegal ball.

-Any touch, as long as it doesn’t hit the ground or the wall is considered a “throw” and the normal rules apply. This means if a ball hits a player and bounces back over the line and is caught the player it bounced off is out. This also applies to balls deflected off held balls (they are considered throws and if caught the “deflecting player” is out).

-A “driven ball” is slightly different. This is when a player hits an opponent so hard that the ball bounces back over the line and hits someone on their own side before hitting the ground. This would result in both hit players being eliminated. 

-SAVE: If a player is hit by a ball, it bounces off a wall and is caught on their side before it touches the ground that player has been “saved” and neither the thrower nor the hit player are out.

-A ball can only remain on each side for a maximum of 7 seconds (referees countdown to zero). A player deliberately holding a ball over the 7 seconds is out and the ball must be rolled over to the other team. This rule is meant to keep the game moving and it is up to the discretion of the referee to count a ball down.

-Players have 7 seconds to release balls from their hand. Once a ball crosses a team’s own attack line from the opposition, the 7 second count will begin. This will happen even if it is placed down again, is out of bounds, or is in jail. A player has until the “o” of the referee’s “zero” to release the ball out of their hand. That ball must then cross the opponents’ attack line or be picked up by an opponent at some point (and under its own steam) to avoid the thrower being called out. (e.g. If a thrower releases a ball on the “o” of “zero” but the ball stops short in the oppontents attack line the thrower is out – no man awarded to the opposing team). IF A PLAYER RELEASES THE BALL AT THE “O” OF “ZERO”, IT MUST BE CLEAR TO THE REFEREE THAT IT WILL PASS THE OPPONENT’S ATTACK LINE WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FROM THAT PLAYER AS THEY WILL ALREADY BE OUT.

-If a ball rolls into the neutral zone (between the two attack lines) and has at no time been in a player’s possession (i.e. hasn’t been picked up and placed down or played by jail players) it will not be counted.

-If a ball “expires” the player in possession of that expired ball will be eliminated. If it is not being held the team must choose a player to go out. The opposition does NOT get a player back in for this. If a player is holding a ball that is being counted and is hit the count is restarted for that ball.

-As soon as a team has only 1 player left any balls on their side are re-counted starting at 7. If there is only one player left a “7 second-count” will not be given unless there is more than one ball on that side. This means the final player can have one ball on their side for as long as they want.

-Balls in the “neutral zone” (between the two attack lines) are not counted and would not need to be played (assuming that the ball has not been played by someone on that team).

-IF ALL THREE BALLS ARE NOT LIVE THE REFEREE WILL CALL HOLD AND PASS ONE BALL TO THE TEAM WITH THE PLAYER ADVANTAGE TO GET THE GAME GOING AGAIN.

-Kicking, spiking, swatting, scooping, pinching and/or punching the ball is not allowed, considered dangerous/destructive to the equipment and not a valid throw. Players are permitted to use their feet to stop a ball or pass a ball to a teammate but can NOT use feet to get the ball over the middle line. A player who does this will receive a warning (assuming they have never been warned before). This is considered a warning to both teams. 

-Players are not permitted to “pinch” the outer cover of the ball. This damages the balls. 

-Players are NOT permitted to use their feet to compete for a ball at the beginning of a set. IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF MAKING CONTACT WITH AN OPPONENT, PLAYERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE THEIR FEET TO STOP A BALL AT THE LINE.

-“Superman’s” or “Suicide Jumps” (deliberately jumping across line in order to throw a ball at an opponent) are banned and considered poor sportsmanship. HOWEVER, a sacrifice (jumping over the middle line to swat a ball back) is allowed as long as the player makes contact with the ball before landing, some part of the player’s body lands in the neutral zone and no contact is made with an opposing player during the move. If a player fails to do this, they are out and the ball is returned to its original spot.

-BONUS: If there is only one person left on a team and they catch a ball, their entire team re-enters the game, up to 5. If there is only one person left on a team and they can survive 4 throws, they get one player back in.

-Once a team has eliminated everyone on the opposite team they receive a point for winning that set. Sets are played for 55 minutes with a 2 minute half-time around the 25 min (teams switch sides – unless mutually agree not to). PLAYOFFS MUST SWITCH SIDES

-The team with most points wins the game. If the time finishes while a set is still going, the team with the most players still on the court at that moment will receive the point.

-SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: If the court has two different backings (meaning a curtain at the back of one side and a wall on the other). Teams switch at half.

-Regular season games can end in ties.

-In the unfortunate event of a serious injury that does not allow a game to continue the following protocol will be followed. If the injury occurs in the first half and injured player is removed from the playing area with at least half of the game to be played the game continues as is (extra time can be added if it is feasible to do so). If the injury occurs within the last 15 minutes of a game the score will be what it was at the time of injury (if it is not possible to extend the game). Whenever possible, games should be played out, even if it pushes the next game back. This will be up to the discretion of the referee and league coordinators. If the injury happens in the first half but not enough time is left to play one 25 minute half that game will be postponed and if it is feasible rescheduled. In this case, league coordinators will contact captains to discuss the options.

-Playoff games are also 55 minutes long and the time limit still applies. See playoff rules for tie breaking overtime set below.

-Poor sportsmanship (i.e. arguing with the ref, making calls on opponents, verbal abuse, persistent cheating, deliberately blocking shots when out, playing etc.) isn’t tolerated.  We’re about fun not being turkeys.

-Taunting an opponent is considered unsportsmanlike so, let’s not.

-Unsportsmanlike behavior is up to the discretion of the referee.

-If a player has an issue with a call or an opposing player, the captain (and only the captain) can approach the referee between sets and state the issue or ask for clarification. 

-If a team or player has a complaint they are invited to call or email the League Coordinator. However teams/players must wait 24 hours before sending an email or calling. This gives you a minute to collect your thoughts and also helps prevent us from fielding emotionally driven emails. 

 PLAYOFF REGULATIONS:

– Players must play a minimum of 2 games in order to qualify for Playoffs.

– No borrowing players is permitted during Playoffs.

– All games, including Playoffs end in the same fashion, when the time is called.  At the 55 minute mark, the team with the most players remaining on the court will be awarded the point.  If this point results in the game becoming tied, the balls will be reset and an overtime sudden death set played.  Winner of that OT set, wins the game.  

– If the facilty has two different backs of the court (i.e. curtain on one side), there will be a coin toss – whichever team won the final point will make the call in the air.  Winning team of the coin toss chooses the side to play on for the Final OT Set.

Thanks for reading, I know it’s a lot!