Rec-Beginners Volleyball Rules

Rec-Beginner Division Overview

This division is designed for players new to volleyball or those developing foundational skills. Emphasis is placed on learning rules, building confidence, fostering sportsmanship, and having fun in a supportive environment                                                

1. Team Composition & Player Eligibility**

• Roster Size: 5–12 registered players.

• Player Status: All players must have Recreational status. Intermediate-status players are not permitted in any Rec division (Sunday or Monday), with rare, pre-approved exceptions.

• Dual Rostering: Players may not be on two different teams within the league.

• Player Replacement: To replace a player who has dropped, the captain must report the change before the new player participates. Replacements after Week 3 are subject to league approval on a case-by-case basis.

2. Game Format & Scoring

• Regular Season (7 Weeks):

  •     Games are played to 21 points.

  •     A team must win by 2 points.

  •     There is no point cap (games continue until a team leads by 2).

• Tournament Play:

  •     Winners Bracket: Games to 25 points, capped at 25 (no win-by-2 requirement).

  •     2nd Chance Bracket: Games to 15 points, capped at 15 (no win-by-2 requirement). Teams switch sides when the first team reaches 8 points.

• Scoring: All games use rally scoring (a point is scored on every serve).

3. Gameplay & Rules

• Service Receive

• The serve (or team's first contact) may be received with closed hands, open hands, or a bump.

• You cannot attack or block a serve. This means you may not jump to contact the ball above the net, directing it immediately back to the opponent. If you jump, the ball must remain on your side.

• A pushed-over ball on the 2nd or 3rd touch with open hands must have minimal spin, or it will be called a double contact fault.

Contact & Ball Handling

• Sets: The ball must not be caught or thrown. An overhead set must be clean—a single, quick contact with minimal spin.

• Underhand Passes/Lifts: An underhand contact must be made with a joined forearm platform, a single forearm, or a closed fist. Using open palms or separated arms to "lift" or throw the ball is illegal.

• One-Arm Touches: Are allowed only with a closed hand (fist or knuckles).

    Net & Centerline

• Players may not touch the net between the antennas during play.

• Players may not cross the centerline completely under the net while the ball is in play.

• Rotation & Substitutions

• Teams with 5 or more players must rotate and maintain rotation order.

• Players may only enter the game when it is their team's turn to serve, between points. Illegal entry results in a point for the opponent.

• Subs must follow the established rotation order, entering for the player who is leaving or as the next server.

4. Conduct & Sportsmanship

• Spiking: This is a developmental division. Hard-driven spikes are discouraged to maintain a fun, friendly, and safe environment for all skill levels.

• Diablos Issued Shirt: All players must wear the current season's league shirt. Shirt swapping is not permitted. Failure to comply may result in the player being ineligible to play or a team forfeit. (League staff in neon green shirts are exempt.)

5. Game Logistics & Policies

• Punctuality & Forfeits

• Grace Period: Teams have a 5-minute grace period after the scheduled game time (or court availability) to be ready to play.

• Delay Penalty: After 5 minutes, the opposing team is awarded 1 point per minute of delay.

• Forfeit: A team causing a delay of 15 minutes total forfeits the game.

• Forfeit Fines:

  •     $50 for a "No Call, No Show" (no prior notice).

  •     $25 for a same-day forfeit (regardless of reason).

  •     Forfeit notices to avoid fines must be emailed to diego@diablosoutsports.com or volleyball@diablosoutsports.com by the Friday before the game.

• Multiple Forfeits: Teams with repeated forfeits may be removed from the league without a refund.

Substitution Protocol to Avoid Forfeit

• Teams with 6+ players present must have at least 3 original rostered players and may pick up a maximum of 3 subs.

• Teams with 4-5 players present must have at least 2 original rostered players and may pick up a maximum of 2 subs.

Game Timing

•     Duration: All games are strictly 40 minutes. The clock starts with the first serve and runs continuously.

•     Timer Enforcement: Teams must start the timer immediately. Failure to do so will result in a 3-minute penalty for every 5 total   points score by both teams at the time the error is discovered.

  •     Example: Score is 7-10 (17 total points). 17 ÷ 5 = 3 full increments. Penalty = 3 min x 3 = 9 minutes deducted.

• End of Game: If the timer expires during a rally, finish the rally. No new serves may be made after time expires.

6. Division Movement

• Teams wishing to move to a higher division must have a proven track record (e.g., top 2 finishes, multiple divisional wins) with 90% of the same roster and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.