Saskatchewan Volleyball Rules

The Saskatchewan Volleyball Association regulates more than 10,000 volleyball players in the Canadian province. The association sponsors indoor and outdoor games, with leagues for children, teens and adults. The association follows the basic rules set by the Federacion International de Volleyball, which addresses key areas of the game.

  1. Playing Area

    • The volleyball court is a rectangular field that measures 18 meters by 9 meters (59 feet by 29.5 feet). The entire court is surrounded by a "free zone" that measures three meters (9.8 feet) on each side of the court and seven meters (23 feet) above the court. This area must be free from all obstructions.

      Each court is marked with end lines on each side, as well as a center line that separates the court into two equal pieces. Each section is divided by an attack line, which is drawn three meters from the center line.

      The net height varies for men's and women's tournaments. Men play with the net set at a height of 2.43 meters (8 feet) above the center line, while the women play at a height of 2.24 meters (7.3 feet) above the center line.

    Teams

    • A single volleyball team can include up to 12 players; official tournaments also allow one coach, one assistant coach, one trainer and one doctor for each team. Only players listed on an official score sheet before the game can play in the game.

      Players on the court cannot wear objects that can cause injury or give an added advantage. This may include jewelry, gloves or other objects. Players who wear glasses can do so at their own risk.

      On the court, only the captain of the team is eligible to consult with the referee for changes, permissions or arguments about calls.

      Each team places six players on the court at a time. They are positioned in two horizontal lines of three. The only player who may be out of position at the time of the serve is the server himself, who can step back beyond the court to serve.

    Scoring

    • A volleyball team scores a point by hitting the ball so that it touches the ground on the opponent's side of the court. A ball is "in" when any part of the ball touches the opponent's court or the boundary lines of the opponent's court. Teams can also score when the opposing team commits a fault or receives a penalty. Faults and penalties occur as a result of breaking volleyball rules, including player infractions or rotation mistakes.

      The back-and-forth action of the volleyball court is called a rally. If the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and retains the serve. If the receiving team wins the rally, it scores a point and receives the serve. When a new team serves, the players rotate one position clockwise so a new player serves each time.

      Each team is entitled to three hits each time the ball crosses to its side of the court. A hit is any contact of the ball with a player. The team must return the ball to the opposing team within three hits or the point goes to the opponent. A player cannot hit the ball twice in a row. If more than one player hits the ball at once, it counts as multiple hits. For example, if two players hit the ball at once, it counts as two hits.

      Volleyball is played in terms of sets and matches. The first team to 25 points, winning by at least two points, wins the set. The first team that wins three sets wins the match.