League Rules
2017-2022 USAV Rules
  1. Games will be played at the gym at Avery Point.
  2. Starting times are 7:00PM, 8:00PM and 9:00 PM. The games must start on time. Unfortunately we don't have time to use the courts for significant warm up. Please do not plan on using the few minutes before the game starts for "practice", a few warm up activities are all that there will be time for. When the referee signals the captains for the coin toss, please respond. When the referee signals for the teams to assume positions for the first serve please do so rapidly. Captains please don't wait until this signal to figure out and assign starting positions.
  3. The EBAC Volleyball League will follow the rules as published in the most current (as of the first day of the season) USAV Rule book, except as modified here. There is no intent here to interpret the USAV Rules. These guidelines are for the EBAC Volleyball League, in addition to the USAV Rules.
  4. A match forfeit will be declared if a team does not have at least 4 players ready to play at 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time.
  5. If the grace period is used and Game 3 is not completed it will be forfeited in favor of the offended team.
  6. To attempt to avoid forfeits the following can be applied:
      A. Higher division teams may use players from any lower division team. Lowest division teams can use players from their own division. Discretion must be used to not use a "Ringer" if other players are available.
      B. The number of players that may be used will only be to make the minimum number to avoid a forfeit. Example: Team 1 only has 3 players, it may only add 1 player.
      C. If a player is used to avoid a forfeit and a roster player shows up after the match has started, they may not participate unless that player agrees to no longer play. It isn't fair to the player that bailed you out.
      D. Any lower division player who plays in a higher division will not be locked to that team. They may be used by other teams. Under no circumstances can a higher division player play down.
      E. For play-offs, only players on your roster and who have played may participate.
  7. Every effort should be made to have enough players on your roster to avoid forfeits.
  8. Out of bounds-All walls, furniture and basketball equipment(if not raised) are out of bounds.
  9. Substitution-We have only 1 referee and no requirement for players to wear numbers, therefore substitutions will be as follows:
      A. Extra player(s) will rotate in to the game in order at server with each new serve. The player in the right front position will rotate out and join the order of players waiting to rotate in.
      B. Extra player(s) will rotate in to the game in order at the 4 position(front left). The player in the 3 position(left rear) will rotate out and join the order of players waiting to rotate in.
      C. Extra players may sit out and not play.
      D. Players who arrive late, may enter the set in any position of the rotation if the team has less than 6 players. Otherwise rule 9.A applies.
      E. Teams may use a Libero. The referee needs to be informed of their use prior to the start of the match. If not made known prior to the match a Libero may not be used.
    Captains must decide which method to use for each full game. Substitutions for injury will be allowed at the referee's discretion. A player removed for injury may not re-enter a game.
  10. Referees-Only team captains (or playing captains) may address the referee. Players addressing, challenging, harassing or otherwise bad mouthing referees will be warned once, after this warning continued activity directed at the referee will be sanctioned awarding points to the opposing team or ejecting the player. Referees' judgment is not to be challenged. Captains who feel that a game outcome was affected by an incorrect interpretation of a rule by a referee should so indicate on the match score sheet and report the protest to the commissioner the next day. Do not argue the rules with the referees.
  11. Carry, Held Ball, etc.-Referees will call held ball faults (carry) based on the USAV Rules and the following guidelines:
      A. Ball comes to rest in the hands. (The ball must be cleanly hit.)
      B. A ball is contacted with open palms below the shoulders. (Hands must be closed or upside down if the ball is hit below the shoulders)
      C. Any two handed hit that results in excessive side spin.
  12. Play at the Net - No play may be made on a ball that hasn't broken the plane of the net, except blocking. Note that players blocking must be front line players and must have some part of their body above the net.
  13. Net Faults - All contacts with the net and over the center line will be called as faults regardless if it occurs away from the play.
  14. Serves-The ball must be clearly dropped or thrown before being hit. The drop or throw must be clear to the referee; the ball must be clearly in the air when hit. Service hits must be clean hits, not pushed or thrown. One re-serve is allowed per term of service.
  15. Hits-All hits must be just that, hits. The ball must be struck cleanly, not allowed to rest in or on the hands. The ball must rebound from the hands after being struck.
  16. The yellow line between courts (at Avery Point) is out of bounds. Players and balls may not cross the yellow line.
  17. The Commissioner will decide cancellations. Don't assume a match has been canceled unless confirmed by the Commissioner or EBAC Office.
  18. Matches can not be rescheduled to suit individual teams. Captains ensure rosters contain sufficient players to accommodate work travel, interference from other sports, night school, injury, etc.
  19. Players may be added to rosters by phone call or email to the Commissioner. Players may not play until their name appears on the master roster maintained by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may refuse to allow a "ringer" onto a lower division team.
  20. Initial League divisional assignments will be made by the Commissioner based on knowledge of the players, previous years' records and input from the referees.
  21. Only the official EBAC Volleyball Roster form provided by the Commissioner may be used. This is for the convenience of the Commissioner.
  22. The Teams are responsible for setting up the nets and taking them down.
  23. The referee will complete a score sheet for each match. Since there are no uniform requirements, Captains should be aware of the team name and number.
  24. An MVP will be selected from each team from each match. The selection is entirely at the discretion of the Referee. Please don't try to influence the selection.
  25. The League entry fee is $450.00. Plus a $100.00 forfeit fee is also required before rosters can be accepted and practice time can be scheduled. The forfeit fee will be returned if no matches are forfeited. A charge of $50.00 will be assessed for each forfeit for a given team. After 2 forfeits, the team must pay another forfeit fee or it will be eliminated from the League.
  26. All players must be EBAC members and have signed a waiver to participate in ANY League function.