Lakeshore Financial-DVL- 02

Rules (draft)

How the game is played this season. The referee's decision is final.

Last updated September 21, 2026

Draft. These rules are still being finalised by the committee and may change before the tournament.

1. Coin toss

The team that wins the coin toss will choose the side or serve.

2. Game length and scoring

All games except finals are 21 points or 20 minutes long, whichever comes first. Final will be 25 points.

If the ball is in the air when time runs out, the rally continues and the ball remains in play until either team wins the point.
All games except finals — if the score is tied at 20, the team that reaches 21 points wins that game.
For finals — best of the 3 games will decide the DVL Champion. Point format will be decided on or before the tournament day.

3. Time-outs

Each team can take 1 time-out of 30 seconds each during the game. Finals will have two time-outs each.

4. Full team to start

A full team of 6 players will be required to be on the court for the game to start. If the game does not start within reasonable time (referee call) from the time of the toss, then the opponent team will be awarded two points.

The team will have to leave an empty spot for that player and will rotate and stay empty until the player shows up.

19. Play-off qualification

20. Equipment

No replacement for the missing player will be awarded.

5. Rotation

Teams must rotate clockwise when they win a point while receiving serve.

No switching is allowed — either front or back.
Teams that did not rotate will lose a point without any warning.

6. Service

You can only serve after the referee blows the whistle. The server must serve after the referee's whistle within a reasonable time.

Serves may be:

Jump serves
Float serves
Standing serve

Service faults include:

Stepping on the end line.
Ball landing outside the court boundary without an opponent team player touching it.

Also:

A server can serve again if the server just stops without hand swinging action. Only one attempt to serve again will be allowed during the rotation.
If the ball touches the net during the service and lands on the opponent's court, it is a live ball.
The server must toss the ball clearly before serving; failing to toss the ball in the air will result in a foul and the opponent team will get the ball and earn a point.
If the ball lands on the boundary line, it is in.
Blocking a serve is illegal.

7. Team contacts and blocking

Each team may use up to three contacts to return the ball.
A block does not count as a team contact.
Double contact on a single hit is illegal, except:
1. When receiving the serve (the first team contact) and there is double contact.
2. When performing the block.

Block:

Back-row players cannot participate in a block.
Any attempt to reach over the net to block or play the ball shall be ruled a foul. This does not apply if the ball's edge crosses the vertical plane of the net.

8. Back-row players and the attack line

Any of the three back-row players (e.g. server, center and back-corner) can cross the 10-ft line (aka attack line) and play the ball. However, none of these three players are allowed to jump after crossing the 10-ft (attack) line.

If the three players in the back do end up crossing the 10-foot line, they will be restricted to only passing or setting the ball — any sort of jump and attack is a backcourt violation.

9. No carry

No carry allowed. The game referee's decision is final.

Carry is when a player makes illegal, prolonged contact with the ball, typically by catching, throwing, or pushing it rather than a clean hit — often called a "lift" or "catch". There will be no warning for any carry violations. Points will be awarded to the other team immediately.

Two open palms below the waist / lifting the ball.
One open palm, prolonged time, and the game will stop.

Loose open palm, single or double hand, will result in a warning (over or under arms). Each team will have 3 warnings, after which a point will be awarded to the opponent team.

10. Ceiling and walls

If the ball hits the ceiling and returns to the hitting team's court, it remains in play (live ball). However, if it crosses into the opponent's court, the opposing team earns a point. If the ball hits the side wall or curtains, the ball is considered dead and the opponent team gets the point.

11. Crossing the centerline (under the net)

You may cross the centerline as long as:

Part of your foot or body still touches or hovers above the centerline, and
You do not interfere with the opponent's play or create a safety hazard.

It becomes a fault when:

Your entire foot or body completely crosses the centerline into the opponent's court.
You interfere with an opponent's movement or play.

12. Kicking

Kicking the ball is prohibited.

13. Replacement of players

No replacement of players on the day of the tournament unless a replacement is requested due to an injury of the player. The committee will try to provide a replacement with the best possible match to the injured player for the next game.
Before the tournament, the organizing committee will work on the wait list and provide a replacement with the best possible match to the player that needs to be replaced.

14. Questioning a call

Only the captain of each team can question a call. If anyone other than the captain questions the call, a warning will be issued. After the first warning, another instance like this will result in a point for the opponent.

15. Sportsmanship

Players must demonstrate sportsmanship. Penalties may include:

Warning
Penalty (point awarded to opponent)
Disqualification (match removal)

The referee can give a technical foul to a player who behaves badly or is unsportsmanlike. The other team will get a point and the ball if they did not have it already. If a player keeps breaking the rules on purpose, they may lose the game, be removed, or be disqualified by the Tournament Committee and/or referee.

16. Score sheets

After each game, both captains must sign the score sheet form. The referee must return the score form to the main scoreboard right away.

17. Volunteering

Each non-playing team could be asked by the committee to have 2 players help referee or volunteer for the other games.

18. Rule changes

The Tournament/DVL Committee can change any rule(s) and notify the teams if they think it is better for the league.

19. Play-off qualification

The play-off teams will be chosen based on the following sequence:

Win–loss record
Total points scored
Total points allowed
Coin toss if two teams tie
Number drawing if three or more teams tie

20. Equipment

No gloves are allowed. Knee pads and elbow pads are encouraged.