Volleyball League Rules
Recreational Sports provides a fun, fair, and safe environment for everyone who plays. Our rules are based upon the national governing bodies for each sport (such as NCAA, USVA, etc.) There are some university-specific rules, so please read closely.
For additional Recreational Sports league policies, click here.
A. A team will consist of six (6) players.
B. A team can start and compete a match with as few as five (5) players.
C. Players/participants must present their league card and a valid University of California, San Francisco Student ID, UCSF Employee ID, Fitness and Recreation Membership ID or a Drivers License with picture ID will be accepted before each contest in order to participate. Picture identification checks occur before every Intramural sport contest. Failure to provide an acceptable form of identification will result in not being able to participate in Intramural sports. Absolutely no exceptions will be made.
D. All Non-Members and General Public participants must have a valid league card to participate in UCSF Recreational Sports Leagues. League Cards are obtained from the Recreational Program Supervisor during the Captains Meeting. If a league card is lost or misplaced, there is a $5.00 fee to replace the card.
A. After ten (10) minutes, if a team is not present and ready to play, that team will forfeit the first game of the match. The team then has five more minutes to get their team together, or the team will forfeit the second game and the match.
B. In order to claim a forfeit, a team must have the correct number of players present and ready to play.
C. If neither team is able to field a team, a double forfeit will be declared.
D. Teams that forfeit a contest without giving at least 48 hours notice to the Recreational Sports office will be charged a forfeit fee. This is to ensure that all teams have an opponent each week.
E. The team which forfeited will receive a 3 as their SOG rating. The SOG rating will be changed to a 4 once the forfeit fee is paid. If the team has notified the office, then they will receive a 4.5 SOG rating for the match.
F. The forfeit fee is $30 per forfeit. Forfeit fees must be paid at the Fitness and Recreation Desk before the team’s next match (usually 7 days) or else they will not be allowed to play their next scheduled match.
G. A second forfeit within the same sport may result in that team being dropped from league play and an additional forfeit fee charged.
H. Forfeits may affect playoff seeding.
A. All games shall be governed by the current USAV Rules, except where special Recreation Sports Rules apply. All players and team captains are responsible for knowing the rules.
B. The team on the left side of the schedule is home team and will have choice of serve or side in the first game.
C. Length of the game
If the 60-minute period expires and the third game is still in progress:
- If neither team has reached seven points, the game will go to seven (7) points.
- If a team has already reached at least seven points (e.g. 10-8 score), the game is over. The point being played as the clock alarm sounds must count. A team must also win the third game by two points (eg. 7-5; 11-9; 15-13; 16-14) or when it reaches 17 first (e.g. 17-16).
D. Playoffs
E. Time-Outs
F. Substitutions
G. The Serve
H. Legal Play
The ball must pass between or over the side boundary lines (net antennae) as it crosses the net, after being played (touched) three or less times. The antenna is out on bounds.
I. Ball Control faults
J. Double hit exceptions:
A. A ball hit into the net by a team may still be kept in play (up to three hits) provided the net is not touched by any player.
B. No player may contact the net, except for incidental contacts made by players not making a play on the ball, as prescribed by USAV rules. If two opposing players touch the net simultaneously, the ball is declared dead and the point will be replayed. A net contact caused by a driven ball is not a fault.
C. Blockers may reach over net, however the blocker(s) shall not contact the ball on the opponents’ side until after completion of the opponents action which sends the ball toward the blocker’s side.
D. The team that has effected the block shall have 3 more contacts. The blocker has the right to make the first of three allowable hits.
E. A player may step on, but not over, the centerline under the net. (Some part of the player’s foot or hand must touch or be above the line in order for it not to be a foul. )
F. A spiker must contact the ball on their own side of the net, but may follow through over the net.
G. Back line players may spike the ball provided they leave the ground with both feet behind a line 10 feet from the net.
H. If the ball is served and hits the net, yet falls onto the receiving side, the ball is live.
A. Players listed on the game score-sheet will be assumed to have played.
B. All protests must be lodged prior to the next serve following the situation in question.
C. The gender rule is enforced only in thee advanced volleyball league. The beginner’s have no gender rule.
D. Players may begin to warm up after the preceding game is finished, or on an empty court, if one is available.
E. No food or beverages are allowed on the gym floor.
F. Jump serves are allowed in the advanced volleyball league and not the beginners or intermediate league.
G. NO alcohol will be allowed in the gym.