Post-­‐Secondary  
 
Games  
Waterloo  
 
2011  
Beach  
  Volleyball  Regulations*  

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
*These  rules  are  not  final  and  are  subject  to  change  closer  to  the  tournament  
date.  These  rules  are  accurate  as  of  April  1st  2011.  
Section  1:  General  Rules  (all  sports)  
A)  Personal  and  Team  Conduct  

1. Participants  are  required  to  represent  themselves  and  their  respective  

schools  with  respect  and  dignity.  
2. Any  team  or  individual  involved  in  destructive  or  negative  behavior  at  
Post-­‐Secondary  Games  2011  events  or  venues,  including  hotels  and  
accommodations,  will  be  ejected  from  the  tournament  at  the  discretion  of  
the  Advisory  Committee.  Spirit  Deposits  may  also  be  forfeited.  
3. The  PSG  Committee  reserves  the  right  to  disqualify  any  team  based  on  the  
behavior  of  any  given  team  member  of  that  particular  team.  
4. Alcohol,  smoking  and/or  other  banned  substances  are  PROHIBITED  and  
are  not  to  be  consumed  or  used  in  the  dressing  rooms  or  anywhere  in  the  
gyms  or  surrounding  areas.  Failure  to  comply  with  this  rule  will  result  in  
the  expulsion  of  the  player(s)  from  the  Tournament  and  possible  
suspension  of  the  team(s).  A  referee  may  eject  a  player/team  if,  at  his/her  
discretion,  he/she  deems  the  player/team  to  be  under  the  influence  of  
alcohol  or  illegal  substances.  
 

B)  Starting  of  the  Game  

1. A  representative  from  each  team  (coach/captain)  is  required  to  check-­‐in  

at  the  score  table  prior  to  each  game.  Here  they  must  fill  out  game  roster  
sheets  fully  and  accurately.  
2. It  is  recommended  that  both  teams  be  dressed  and  ready  to  play  10  
minutes  before  the  scheduled  start  of  their  game.    All  games  start  at  the  
time  published  in  the  schedule.    
3. A  late  team  will  be  given  a  grace  period  of  five  (5)  minutes  past  the  
scheduled  start  time,  which  will  be  deducted  from  the  total  playing  time.  
4. Any  team  without  the  required  number  of  players  within  5  minutes  of  the  
scheduled  time  will  default  that  game.    If  any  team  member  is  in  doubt  
about  their  eligibility,  they  should  speak  with  their  team  captain/coach,  
the  Scorekeeper,  or  anyone  on  the  PSG  committee  immediately.    
5. If  both  teams  are  late,  both  will  default  and  no  points  will  be  awarded.    
6. Teams  defaulting  a  game  for  any  reason  will  have  half  their  Spirit  Deposit  
forfeited.  
7. If  players,  team  officials,  game  timekeeper,  etc.  show  up  for  a  game  in  a  
condition  which  in  the  referee’s  opinion,  render  them  unable  to  take  part,  
the  referee  may  default  the  game.  
8. With  respect  to  dangerous  playing  conditions,  the  decision  of  whether  to  
begin  or  continue  a  game  is  solely  the  decision  of  the  referees.  The  
Commissionaire  shall  reschedule  a  game  postponed  for  any  reason  at  the  
earliest  possible  time  prior  to  the  end  of  the  round  robin.  If  more  than  one  

These  rules  are  accurate  as  of  April  1st  2011.  

 half  remains  to  be  played,  then  the  entire  game  shall  be  replayed.  If  less  
than  one  full  period  remains  to  be  played,  then  only  the  unfinished  
portion  of  the  game  shall  be  played.  
 

C)  Coaches  and  Captains  

1. Each  team  must  have  a  designated  Team  Captain  and/or  Coach.  

2. It  is  the  responsibility  of  each  Team  Captain/Coach  to  ensure  that  all  
players  of  their  team  are  fully  eligible  to  participate.  
3. Each  team  must  identify  their  Team  Captain  and/or  Coach  at  the  
beginning  of  each  game.  If  the  captain  is  not  present,  the  team  will  
nominate  a  player  to  be  acting  captain  for  that  game.  This  person  will  take  
on  all  duties  and  responsibilities  as  the  actual  captain.  This  person  will  be  
identified  as  the  acting  captain  on  the  score  sheet.  
4. ONLY  THE  CAPTAIN/COACH  should  be  speaking  with  the  referees  during  
the  game  time.  Players  who  wish  to  discuss  any  issue  with  a  referee  must  
ask  the  Captain  or  Coach  to  speak  on  their  behalf.  
5. It  is  the  responsibility  of  each  Team  Captain/Coach  to  fill  out  the  game  
roster  sheet  fully  before  each  game  and  sign  it  to  affirm  the  eligibility  and  
information  of  each  player  on  the  roster.  
6. Team  Captains  and  Coach  are  expected  to  know  and  understand  the  
general  and  specific  rules  for  their  sport.  They  must  abide  by  them,  and  
ensure  that  their  team  is  aware  of  them  and  their  consequences.  If  there  is  
any  confusion  regarding  the  rules,  please  contact  the  PSG  committee.    
7. It  is  the  Team  Captain's  and  Coach’s  duty  to  know  his/her  duties  and  
responsibilities  before  the  game  begins.  

These  rules  are  accurate  as  of  April  1st  2011.  

Section  2:  Specific  Rules  (Beach  Volleyball)  
A)  Teams  and  Players  

1. A  team  must  have  a  minimum  of  4  players  on  the  court  to  play.  If  at  any  
time  a  team  has  less  than  4  players  for  a  game,  the  game  is  a  default.
2. A team can have a maximum of 6 players on the court at a time.
3. 2  males  and  2  females  must  be  on  the  court  at  all  times  for  each  team.  

B)  Equipment  

1. Proper  gym  attire  must  be  worn  to  participate  (no  jeans  or  pants  /  shorts  
with  zippers).    
2. Players  must  play  barefoot.  
3. No  jewellery  (unless  properly  taped  down),  non-­‐elastic  head  bands,  or  
hard  support  braces  are  allowed  during  game  time.  Captains  will  be  
warned  at  the  beginning  of  the  game  to  have  all  their  players  remove  such  
items.  During  the  game,  players  found  with  such  items  will  be  asked  to  
leave  play  until  the  item  is  removed.  
4. All  games  will  be  played  on  an  outdoor  beach  court.  
5. A  standard  volleyball  will  be  provided  for  game  play.  

C)  Game  Lengths  

1. Each  match  will  be  a  best  of  three  rally-­‐scoring  sets;  however  a  cap  of  30  
minutes  will  be  set  for  the  round-­‐robin  matches.  
2. For  round-­‐robin  games,  the  first  two  sets  are  up  to  21  (win  by  2)  and  the  
third  (if  necessary)  is  up  to  15  (win  by  2).  
3. Teams  must  win  by  2  points  with  a  cap  set  at  23  points  for  the  first  two  
sets  and  17  for  the  third;  during  playoffs,  these  caps  will  increase  to  27  
and  21  respectively;  for  finals,  there  will  be  no  cap  set.  

D)  Gameplay  

1. Each  team  is  allowed  a  maximum  of  three  successive  contacts  of  the  ball  
in  order  to  return  the  ball  to  the  opponent’s  area.  Blocks  do  not  count  as  
a  contact.    
2. International  INDOOR  volleyball  rules  will  be  followed.  
3. Blocking  or  attacking  a  serve  is  illegal.    
4. Serves  that  hit  the  net  are  in  play.    
5. All  passes  must  be  clearly  hit,  not  thrown,  lifted,  or  change  of  direction  
allowed  by  a  double  hit.    
6. A  back  row  player  can  only  spike  the  ball  from  behind  the  attack  line  
(player  cannot  jump  in  front  of  attack  line).  

These  rules  are  accurate  as  of  April  1st  2011.  

 7. A  player  is  not  allowed  to  take  support  from  teammates  or  any  structure  
to  help  in  contacting  the  ball.  
8. The  ball  must  cross  the  net  between  the  sidelines  and  above  the  net.    
9. The  ball  is  allowed  to  touch  the  net  before  crossing  it,  including  on  a  
serve.  
8. Incidental  contact  or  shirt  touching  with  the  net  is  not  a  fault,  except  
when  a  player  touches  it  during  the  action  of  playing  the  ball  or  it  
interferes  with  the  play.  
9. Substitutions  are  unlimited  and  may  only  occur  during  dead  balls.    
10. Teams  may  elect  to  rotate  all  players  in  one  at  a  time  through  the  server’s  
position  or  may  substitute  player  for  player.    
11. One  30-­‐second  timeout  is  permitted  per  set  per  team.  
12. Constant  Inappropriate  or  unsportsmanlike  conduct  may  result  in  a  game  
ejection.  

E)  Lines  

1. Any  ball  landing  on  the  line  is  good.    

2. The  server  must  stand  entirely  behind  the  end  line  until  they  strike  the  
ball.    
3. A  player’s  foot/hand  may  land  on  the  centerline  provided  it  is  not  entirely  
over  the  line.    

F)  Net  Play  

1. Players  may  reach  over  the  net  and  block  the  ball,  provided  the  opposing  
team  has  completed  their  attempt  to  return  the  ball  over  the  net.    
2. The  ball  is  considered  to  have  crossed  the  net  when  any  part  of  the  ball  is  
extended  over  the  net.    
3. Teams  must  rotate  clockwise  after  receiving  a  side-­‐out  

G)  Important  Beach  Rules  

1. Traditional  Beach  Volleyball  rules  will  not  be  employed  (i.e.  blocks  count  
as  a  hit,  can’t  volley  off  a  serve,  no  open  handed  tipping)  
2. International  INDOOR  Volleyball  rules  will  be  followed.  (i.e.  blocks  do  not  
count  as  a  hit,  can  volley  off  a  serve,  open  handed  tips  allowed)  
 

H)  Service  

1. You  may  only  toss  to  serve  once.  You  are  not  allowed  to  toss  and  let  the  
ball  drop  for  another  toss.  

These  rules  are  accurate  as  of  April  1st  2011.  

 2. The  server  must  contact  the  ball  within  8  seconds  after  the  referee  
whistles  for  the  service.  
3. You  must  serve  according  to  your  rotation.  Violation  of  this  rule  will  
result  in  a  rotational  fault.  
4. At  the  moment  of  service  hit,  the  server  must  be  in  the  serving  zone  
behind  the  court  between  the  sidelines.  
5. Your  foot  may  not  touch  the  line  on  a  serve.  Foot  foul  will  result  in  a  loss  
of  serve.  
6. A  player  may  serve  for  5  straight  points  per  service  possession;  then  the  
serve  is  turned  over  to  the  next  player  in  the  rotation.  

I)  Defaults  

1. If  the  4-­‐player  minimum  is  not  met,  and  the  5-­‐minute  grace  period  
expires,  the  team  will  default  the  first  set.  If  the  team  does  not  meet  the  
minimum  requirement  after  10  minutes,  the  game  will  be  defaulted.  
2. In  the  event  of  a  default,  the  winning  team  will  be  awarded  3  points  and  a  
2-­‐0  win.  
3. If  both  teams  are  late,  they  will  both  forfeit  the  game  and  no  points  will  be  
awarded  in  the  standings.
4. Defaults  and  Suspensions  may  result  in  a  loss  of  Spirit  Deposit.  

J)  Tournament  Standings  

1. In  round  robin  play,  standings  shall  be  decided  on  the  following  point  
system:  
-­‐ 3  points  for  a  win  
-­‐ 1  point  for  a  tie  
-­‐ 0  points  for  a  loss  
 
2. Playoff  games  will  follow  the  playoff  bracket  provided  and  will  be  single  
elimination.  
 
3. Divisional  standing  will  be  ranked  based  on  the  number  of  points.  In  the  
event  of  a  tie  in  the  standings,  the  following  will  be  used  as  tie  breakers  
(in  this  order):  total  wins,  points  for,  points  against,  record  between  
teams,  coin  toss.  
 

These  rules  are  accurate  as  of  April  1st  2011.