Recreation Volleyball Rules

Recreational volleyball is meant to be fun and competitve at the same time. Recreational volleyball leagues follow the same volleyball rules as high school and college volleyball, but in some instances the referee may be flexible in applying the rules. When dealing with children or beginners, referees may let some slight violations slide, that they would not accept in a game with seasoned players. No matter what skill level, the basic rules are the same.

  1. Playing basics

    • In a basic volleyball game there are 6 players on each team and they play on their given side of the net. Each team may contact the ball up to 3 times during any given play. Players are not allowed to catch or throw the volleyball. No player may contact the ball 2 times in a row. They may, however, take the first and third hits. A back row player may not attack the ball in front of the 10 foot line.

    Court basics

    • The lines of the court are there for good reason. The server must be outside of the end line when serving the ball. He may only cross the end line after making contact with the ball. After the server makes contact with the ball, the players may switch positions on the court. Prior to that they must remain in their "starting positions". A ball that lands inside or on a line is ruled "in". If the ball lands on the outside of the line it is "out". The volleyball can not go over to the other side of the court outside of the antennas. A player may not cross the center line under the net onto the other team's side of the court, with the entire foot. If any part of the foot is touching the line it is not considered a violation. Every court will have their own rules about how far a team can play a ball out of bounds. This is to protect the players from injury and should be announced before the teams begin play.

    Violations

    • These can be determined by the referee given the level of play. If children are playing they might be relaxed about violations like lifting or carrying when hitting the ball. Other violations are touching the net at anytime, missed serves, missed hits, or attacking the ball when it is still in play on the other team's side of the net. Teams also must serve in order. If they serve out of order it is an immediate side out.