1. ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY - Rosters must be completed and turned in to the referee before your first match. - Players may be added through the last day of league play. - No roster additions may be made once league play is complete. - To be eligible for the End-of-Season Tournament, a player must be on the completed roster and have played in at least one regular season match. - All Adult League players must be 16 years of age or older. - Players age 16–17 must have a parent/guardian signature on the roster.
2. LEAGUE STANDINGS & TIEBREAKERS - Standings are determined by games (not matches) won/lost. - Tournament seeding is based on league standings. - Tiebreakers (in order): Head-to-head games, Head-to-head points, Overall points, Coin flip.
3. FACILITY RULES - No smoking or alcohol allowed in Fargo Park District or school buildings at any time. - Possession of alcohol is punishable by law. - Do not bring pop/soda into schools or Park District facilities. - Clean up all spills immediately. - No food or spillable drinks in court areas (hallways/lobby areas are acceptable). - Anyone vandalizing property, smoking, or consuming alcohol will be punished by law. - Treat facilities with respect.
4. MATCH FORMAT & SCORING (LEAGUE PLAY) - Matches consist of 3 games to 20 points (rally scoring). - A 2-point advantage is required to win. - 22-point cap per game. - 45-minute time limit per 3-game match. - Referee announces remaining time only at the start of Game 3. If time expires during Game 2: Finish Game 2; Game 3 played to 10 points (1-point advantage). If time expires during Game 3: Game ends when a NEW 1-point advantage is reached with a minimum of 10 points. Each game counts toward standings. TOURNAMENT PLAY - Best 2 out of 3 games. - Same scoring rules. - No time limit. - One forfeit in tournament play = removal from entire tournament (unless 24-hour notice given).
5. WARM-UPS & TIMEOUTS - 5-minute warm-up if previous match lasted 45 minutes or longer. - 1 minute between games (or when both teams are ready). - Two 30-second timeouts per 3-game match (includes tournament). - Clock stops only for injury or unusual occurrence. - Delay of game = unsportsmanlike conduct (side-out or point penalty). - Teams must vacate court promptly after match.
6. FORFEITS - First game forfeited if team lacks enough players at scheduled start time. - Entire match forfeited if team is 5 minutes late. - Two forfeits = removal from league (unless 24-hour notice given). - Satellite/Cell Phone time is official time.
7. TEAM COMPOSITION (COED) - No automatic forfeits — teams may play with fewer than 6 players (more than one). - Must always have at least one male and one female on court in coed. - Unlimited number of women allowed. Teams may play with one more male than female. - No 5-minute grace period to begin games. - If playing with fewer than 4 players, there must be a back-row player. - Women may not play in men’s leagues; men may not play in women’s leagues.
8. MULTIPLE TEAM PLAY RESTRICTIONS - Players cannot play on two women’s teams. - Coed players may only play on one coed team per night. - Players may not play more than one level up or down (Upper/Middle/Lower). - Exceptions require approval from Recreation Specialist, Recreation Manager, or Volleyball Coordinator.
9. SPORTSMANSHIP - Only the team captain may question referee rulings. - Only non-judgment calls may be discussed. - No unsportsmanlike conduct (yelling, swearing, arguing, fighting, etc.). - Referees may eject a player from a match. - Aggression toward officials/opponents = 1-year suspension. - Expelled player/fan must leave within 2 minutes or game is forfeited. - Only Volleyball Coordinator may eject a player for the season. - Players ejected for a season may return next season but any misconduct results in immediate suspension.
10. GAMEPLAY RULES - Ceilings are in play. - Let serves are allowed. - Multiple contacts on first ball allowed. Double contacts on the second ball are allowed if the ball stays on your side of the net. Second or third contacts that cross the net must be clean. Ball rotation may indicate a double contact. Catches, throws, and lifts remain illegal.
- Pressing the block allowed. - Any player may attack. - Back-row players cannot attack above net height in front of the 10-foot line. - Net contact is always a violation. - Entire shoe must cross center line to be a violation. - Adjacent courts are always out of play. - Serve cannot be blocked or attacked. - Contact below the waist is legal under USAV rules.
11. SERVING RULES - 8 seconds to serve after referee whistle. - One team warning for serving before whistle; second offense= illegal serve (side-out). - One reserve toss per service turn. - Server gets additional 5 seconds after reserve.
12. SUBSTITUTIONS - Rotation substitutions only. - Must occur after serving position. - Male substitutes for male; female for female.
13. EQUIPMENT & ATTIRE - No objects that may cause injury (pins, bracelets, casts, etc.). - No watches or dangling earrings. - Padding required for braces/casts if permitted. - Fitbits/activity trackers allowed. - No hats. - Sweatbands/headwear at official's discretion. - Proper athletic, non-marking shoes required. - Marking shoes = removal from court.
14. COIN TOSS - Coin flip determines Serve/Receive or Side. - League play: Winner chooses Games 1 & 3. - Tournament: Second coin toss if Game 3 is needed.
15. HONOR CALLS - Only the team negatively affected by the call may correct it. - Used to assist officials on missed or screened calls.
16. CHILD SUPERVISION - Parents/guardians are responsible for children brought to the facility. - If children are disruptive, you must supervise or remove them.
