VOLLEYBALL (COURT)
JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement
Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.
Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.
Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.
Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.
1. Game Time/Default:
Please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure that your games start on time.
Most matches are 55-minutes in length and are comprised of three RALLY POINT games to 25 points. The Cap is also at 25 points. Therefore, if the score is tied 24-24, the next point wins (first team to 25 points). If a match concludes early, the teams can continue to play, but the score of the fourth game will not be recorded. The KWCJAM representative will act as timekeeper. Teams are comprised of six (6) players with a minimum of two (2) women or non-binary and two (2) men or non-binary players on the court. If only 1 woman or gender minority or 1 man or gender minority players are present, teams are limited to play with only 5 people on the court. A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as one (1) man or or gender minority and one (1) woman or gender minority players are there. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!
NOTE: Any leagues listed as 80-minute games will play best of 5 sets, first to 25, capped at 25 points. The 5th set will be first to 15.
2. General Rules:
- Rally point scoring WILL be used during league play - you do not have to be serving to score a point.
- A player may NOT block or spike a serve while returning a serve.
- Players CAN open-hand volley a serve.
- A server may serve the ball from anywhere along the baseline. Rec/Int - Players may only serve 5 consecutive serves before rotating. The team retains the serve after 5 successful serves and the next person in the rotation continues serving. Advanced - Players may serve until the serve changes team. There is no cap on the number of serves a player may serve in a row.
- Net serves ARE allowed. This means that if a serve hits the net but the motion of the ball carries it over the net, it is a live ball - it is not a service fault.
- There are no serve mulligans. Players are not given a second chance at serving for balls that hit the ceiling.
- A player may play the ball off any part of their body, including feet. Players should avoid following through when using their feet to play the ball.
- A player may not touch the net during any part of the play. Please call your own net violations.
- Rotate new players in before your team starts a new server.
- A player may pass under the net as long as it does not interfere with the play. In other words, a blocker or spiker may land under the net/cross the line, as long as it happens without stopping the play or hindering the opposition. Please avoid doing this where possible to eliminate the possibility of injury.
- If time runs out in the middle of a game, whoever is winning the game at that moment is considered the winner.
- If 10 minutes have elapsed after the official start of the game and not enough players are present to field a team, the first game of the match defaults. At 20 minutes after the start of the official start time, the second game defaults, and at 30 minutes after the official start time, the third game defaults. Each defaulted game results in the loss of one (1) in the overall standings.
- Servers DO rotate after five consecutive points. The same team continues to serve as long as their team successfully wins the point.
- A ball that hits the wall or ceiling is out of bounds.
- Matches are best 2 out of 3 (for 55-minute games). All three sets are to 25 points (capped at 25). If the third and deciding set is tied at the end of regulation time, teams will play one more point to determine the winner. Teams should play all three sets as this affects final standings when it comes to determining playoff matchups.
- Any team defaulting more than 2 matches may be asked to leave the league, with no refund.
3. Discrepancies:
All games are self-refereed. Any disputes will be discussed amongst the two team captains. Please play honestly and call your own infractions (lift, net, etc). If a dispute cannot be settled the point should be re-served.
4. Reaching Beyond the Net: In blocking, a block may touch the ball beyond the net, provided that the player does not interfere with the opponent's play before or during the attackers hit. You can penetrate the plane of the net to block a spike, however, if a setter is trying to set his player, you can't reach over the net and block that set. A player is permitted to pass their hand beyond the net after an attack/hit provided the contact has been made within their own playing space.
5. Spiking (REC Level Only): Spike the ball with discretion. Be careful where you hit the ball and in whose direction you hit with force. It is common sense and courtesy to not smash the ball at an inexperienced player who you know cannot return it. If you smash a couple of hard hits and they are unreturned/untouched by the other team, take a little off or practice tipping and off-speed hits amongst the hard ones so you give your opponent the chance to continue a rally.