Volleyball

1. All matches will be played at school venues where available and other venues around Launceston and the northern region.
2. Venues must have toilets available (changerooms if possible), however players are encouraged to come ready to play due to limited time.
3. Courts are to have correct markings and nets. Net height should be set at women’s height (2.24m) for 9/10 girls and boys and Junior Height (2.12m) for Junior teams.
4. The ball shall be spherical, made of a flexible leather or synthetic leather case with a bladder inside, made of rubber or a similar material. Its circumference is 65-67 cm, and its weight is 260-280 g.
5. First Aid facilities are to be supplied by individual schools at each venue.

1. Game times are 4.00, 4.50 and 5.40pm
2. Games should start on time.
   1. In the case of a late start, games are shortened to ensure the game finishes in time for the next game to start.
3. Game length:
   1. The two teams playing should play as many sets as they can in 45 minutes (the other 5 is for net changes/warmups for the next game etc)
   2. If a set is in progress when the time runs out the set counts as a win if at least one team has scored at least 13 points and is at least 2 points in front of the other team.

1. Teams
   1. are to be school based.
   2. are to have a minimum of seven players to play a game and a preferred maximum of 16 on the team sheet.
   3. There must always be six players per team in play. The team’s starting line-up indicates the rotational order of the players on the court. This order must be maintained throughout the set.
   4. must forfeit the game if it is not ready with a minimum number of 7 players fifteen minutes after the rostered start time.
   5. are to supply their own match ball in good playing condition.
   6. must supply a competent referee (often the coach) Schools can share the responsibility of refereeing i.e., half a game each.
   7. a responsible timekeeper. These positions can be held by coaches.
2. Substitutions
   1. Each team may request a maximum of two time-outs and six substitutions per set (normal volleyball rules) OR
   2. they can use the subbing method where they rotate off the court when in the position just before serving, then back on to serve the ball on the next rotation (if only one sub, two rotations later for 2 subs, 3 for 3 etc). You cannot sub someone off from one position and then back on to a new position (this stops a dominant player from using subbing to continually stay in the front court) except for the subbing method already mentioned.

1. Volleyball matches will be played under current Australian Volleyball Rules (FIVB – 6069 (nsw.gov.au) subject to variations listed below, however flexible umpiring is encouraged. The main aim is to keep the ball in play as much as possible within a simple rule framework. A summary of rules is listed below:
   1. Sets will be played up to 25 (but must win by 2).
   2. A point is awarded on every play (the old rules were that you only scored a point if your team served)
   3. Overall winner is based on sets won. If sets won is a draw, then the result is a draw.

1. Players cannot catch the ball (includes lifting, pushing, throwing type actions).
2. Teams can only have 3 touches on their own side. Blocks do not count as a touch, but an opposition block will reset your team’s 3 hits.
3. Players cannot play the ball twice with two separate actions unless someone else touches the ball in between their hits. Poor sets should not be pulled up for two hits. (However, as the block does not count as a shot, a player can block and then pick up the ball if it deflects)
4. Players should NOT kick the ball. While it is allowed in normal rules at junior levels it is a safety concern and is not encouraged.
5. Players should not touch the net.
6. Players are not allowed to have their whole foot over the midline of the court (the line directly under the net that separates the two halves of the court). This is both a normal rule and for safety.
7. Players need to keep rotation as with normal volleyball.
8. Back court rules apply where there is a 3-metre line. If no line exists backcourt players should not jump to hit the ball over the net.
9. The ball must cross the midline of the net before you can make a play at it either a spike or block, no reaching over the net.
10. When returning the ball to the other team the ball should be rolled under the net.
11.  Serving

1. 1. Servers should wait for the whistle to serve.
   2. Individuals can serve as close to the net as they need, either overarm or underarm. Officials will encourage them to serve from as far back as they are able and still get the ball over the net. If they make a serve from being closer, they should go back a step or more to serve the next ball (until they reach the base line).
   3. Underarm serves should have left the hand before being served over (i.e., no football handball serves). If students do this the serve should be allowed the first time and the player coached to serve properly from then on.
   4. Jump serves can only be used from behind the normal serve line (the back of the court).
   5. Teams only rotate once when they win the serve back to their side. The same server serves the ball until they lose the point.
   6. When receiving a serve a player must not block or spike the ball back to the serving team (this includes any jumping and returning the ball head height and above to the serving team).

1. Bothcoaches must agree on the scores at the completion of each game.
2. Resultsare to be emailed to the Executive Officer as soon as practicable after the match.
3. Points for roster games to be allotted as follows:

Win – 5 Points                                                                Wash Out 3 Points

Draw – 3 Points                                                              Forfeit (Win) 5 Points

Loss – 1 Point                                                                 Forfeit (Loss) 0 Points

4. Results will be updated to the website when all results are in for that round.

1. Teams are to wear full playing uniform in school colours as deemed appropriate by individual schools.
2. Umpires should be instructed to prevent players from taking the field if they are not correctly attired. Supervising staff should do this anyway.

1. It is vital that all players treat the venues with respect. Any vandalism/smoking/vaping will mean our privileges being withdrawn. Offenders caught will be barred from the venue.

4. All players will line up after the game and shake the hand of every opposition player.

Coaches will lead this by shaking hands with each other.

1. Generally, PICs of volleyball will be informed if there are cancellations due to forfeits or unavailability of a venue as soon as practicable. It will be PIC’s responsibility to then inform their teams and coaches.

Forfeits

1. Teams must forfeit the game if it is not ready with a minimum of 7 players 15 minutes after the rostered time.
2. If you need to forfeit prior to match day, please notify NHSSA EO as soon as possible to give every opportunity for the opposition to be informed (preferably prior to the end of previous school day).

Cancellations

If a game is unable to be played on the scheduled day due to unforeseen circumstances, both schools will make every effort to re-schedule the match within the roster to decide final ladder placing’s.

1. First Aid personnel needs to be provided by individual schools at each venue.
2. It is important that coaches/managers be aware of any specific medical conditions or needs of their players.
3. Students’ safety and wellbeing is always a priority so if you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to call me, Rachel Buck – Executive Officer, on 0407432329.