Tracks Tavern Volleyball League
Rules and Protocol - 2019
I) LEAGUE STRUCTURE
2) Intermediate: Intermediate leagues are open to any team that wishes to join, but it is recommended that the team have previous experience in the sport. Most rules will be enforced, with the referee having final discretion as to how certain plays are called. Teams will be expected to have a loose understanding of all rules.
3) Recreational: Recreational leagues are open to any team that wishes to join, but it is recommended that the team be unfamiliar or casual players. Certain plays and rules will be restricted; EX: no jump serves, incorrect setting, etc. Enforcement of rules is up to the referee, and the ultimate emphasis is on having a good time.
2) The Summer season begins in Mid- July and lasts until late October. All leagues will be 13 weeks long, with an additional week for the Playoffs.
2) Being able to field six players, 3 female and 3 male
(b) During the playoffs, a team may NOT consist of more male than female players.
(c) A team may have more female than male players at any time.
4) Having at least four members as another team (see ROSTERS)
II) REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS
of play; i.e., a team currently playing in the Advanced league would not be allowed to play in the Recreational league.
2) Teams must place a deposit of $100 toward the total team fee at the time of registration, as well as any other fees that may arise (website or credit card fees may apply). Failure to pay the deposit is a failure to fully register that team, and will be treated as such.
3) Team deposits and all secondary fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
2) All team fees must be paid by the first week of play. Failure to pay the team fees in full will result in automatic forfeits by that team until such time as the fee is paid in full.
3) Payments may be made in cash, check, or credit card. Check must be made out to the order of “The Tracks Tavern”. Credit Card payments will be subject to a 3% surcharge.
4) Sponsored team must provide payment by check ONE WEEK before the beginning of team play. Refunds of the initial deposit will be made if needed, minus any secondary fees.
III) TEAM ROSTERS & WAVIERS
2) Team rosters must include AT LEAST the following information:
(b) All team member’s first and last name, gender and date of birth
(c) AT LEAST four (4) team member’s contact information, be that phone number, email or both.
4) Team rosters will be used to determine and define what is considered a team
(b) A player who is part of a team can not be on the roster of another team playing on the same night and league.
(c) Teams may not play in a league that is below their level of competition.
2) Waivers will be used as an ad hoc roster for the purposes of subs and members of the league.
3) All waivers must be completed and turned in before the first game of the season. Failure to do so will result in automatic forfeits until such time as the complete waiver is turned in.
IV) MATCHES AND GAMES
2) Teams have a five-minute grace period after the start of a scheduled match to field a team. These five minutes are included in the 55-minute allotted playing time; NO EXTRA PLAY TIME will be allotted to late teams. The match will end no later than 5 minutes before the hour.
3) The 1st game is forfeited if after the 5 minutes grace period, a team cannot be fielded and start is further delayed. The total match will be forfeited and allotted as 3 wins to the other team after 15 minutes of delay.
4) A coin toss at the beginning of the first game will determine which team will get to choose to serve or receive. The receiving team picks the side of the court on which they will start.
5) Teams are responsible for providing their own volleyballs.
2) The winner of a game is the first team to score 25 points. Teams must win by a margin of two (2) points, with a cap at 27 points.
3) At the discretion of the referee, or upon the agreement of both teams, the third game may be called at 15 points, with a cap at 17. This decision must be made and announced before the beginning of the third game.
4) The initial coin toss will decide the starting positions for each team. Side of play and serve are then reversed for the second game. The third game is started as the first was. Teams switch sides at 13 points during the third game. If the third game is capped at 15 points, teams will switch sides after the 8th point.
5) Each team may use one-30 second time-out per game.
6) Free substitution is allowed only while that team is serving, and must be made to the middle-back row position prior to the serve. Substituted players must be on the team’s roster and have signed the waiver.
2) Another referee will be responsible for the setting up and taking down of the nets. They will also be responsible for collecting the scoresheets and awarding prizes.
V) SCHEDULING
B) The Tracks will cancel or reschedule games in the case of:
2) The flooding of the courts, or otherwise compromising of the integrity of the playing field
2) The Tracks has been notified that both teams have agreed to reschedule
3) Both teams agree on a time to make up the unplayed game.
2) Captains of each team must agree on a date and time, and notify the Tracks management of their intended rematch.
3) Management will either confirm or deny a given time. We will try to find a new date and time.
4) Available times are as follows:
(b) Before and after league play on Sunday, (before 4pm or after 9pm)
(c) Saturdays after 12pm and before 8pm
VI) PLAYOFFS
(b) In the even that two or more teams have won the same number of matches and games, the higher rank will go to the winner of the most recent match between the two tied teams.
3) Teams playing in the playoffs may NOT consist of more male than female players.
4) If a team wins the first two games in a playoff match, the match is considered to be won.
5) Teams playing in the playoffs must consist of those players on their official rosters. Substitute players are not allowed during playoffs.
2) Games will usually start on the half hour, and will go as long as required.
VII) PLAYER CONDUCT AND ESTABLISHMENT POLICY
B) Physical or verbal harassment of Volleyball Refs, Tracks Tavern Staff, and other Patrons of any form will not be tolerated.
2) Any repeated or excessively inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in a player/team ejection or suspension.
3) Suspended/ejected players or teams will NOT receive a refund.
2) Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by an adult AT ALL TIMES. At no point are children allowed on the volleyball courts. Children will not be serviced at the bar or a table without an adult
present. Please remember this is a bar and some conduct or language may not be suitable for children.
3) Absolutely no alcoholic or food carry-ins of any kind are allowed on the Tracks property including the volleyball courts and parking lot. Any person caught with alcoholic carry-ins will be automatically disqualified from the league, and refunds will NOT be given.
4) The Tracks Tavern is a PET FREE ZONE. As much as we love your furry friends, it is against State Health and Food Codes to allow pets ANYWHERE on the Tracks property OR volleyball courts.
2) Refs will make calls based on the level on the court. For example, referees calling a game in an Advanced league will more strictly adhere to the rules then in a Recreational league.
VIII) LEAGUE RULES
B) These same rules concerning play and personnel will be used both during the normal season and during playoffs.
2) Players must line up alternating male with female players, when equal amounts are playing (see “teams” for further explanation of allowable ratios).
3) If there is more than one contact on a side (excluding the neutral block) a female MUST be involved, in any order or combination.
4) The ball may touch any part of the body, but must be a clean single touch.
(b) The ball may NOT be caught or thrown.
6) Incidental contact with the net (i.e., hair or loose clothing) is NOT a fault.
7) Incidental contact with an opposing player is NOT a fault. This is at the discretion of the referee.
8) Interfering with an opponent’s ability to make a play on the ball IS a fault, and will result in a point.
9) The net may not be intentionally touched during play. This is counter to FIVB rules.
10) Any ball that breaks the plane of the net at all (does not need to cross completely into the opponents playing area) is live to either side. Whether the ball breaks the plane of the net is ultimately at the discretion of the referee.
11) If a ball is driven into the net which causes the net to touch the opponent no net-fault is committed.
12) Players must be on the sand to make a play on the ball. Players may step off the courts provided it’s safe to make the play (for the alley court, one foot MUST be in the court, no exceptions). Players may NOT be in contact with the wood deck west of court A, when making a play.
13) A player may not enter an adjacent court during or after making a play on the ball.
14) A player may not go under the net farther than half their body, even if there is no contact or interference with opposing players. These rules are to maintain player’s safety at all times, and are at
the discretion of the referee. Any interference with balls or players from adjacent courts will result in an IMMEDIATE stop of play and a replay of the last point.
2) Players may not attack the serve. The ball must completely clear the net on the serve.
3) Players may serve from anywhere behind the end lines. Players must serve entirely behind the line; stepping on the line during the serve will result in a penalty dependent on the league:
(b) INTERMEDIATE: stepping on the line during a serve will result in the lost of side; no points will be awarded.
(c) RECREATIONAL: stepping on the line during a serve will result in a replay of the serve. The offending team will not lose the side nor a point.
5) Players in an intermediate or advanced league will be called on a set occurring below the head.
6) BLOCKING: A blocker may contact the ball beyond the net (in the opponent’s area) provided that it is AFTER the attack-hit of the opponents.
(b) A block CAN OCCUR when the opponents have hit the ball in such a manner that the ball would, in the referee’s judgment, clearly cross the net if not touched by a player, and no member of the attacking team is in a position to make a play on the ball.
(b) A player IS allowed to pass his/her hands beyond the net and contact the ball over the opponent’s court on the first or second touch, provided the ball has NOT COMPLETELY crossed the vertical plane of the net into the opponent’s side and the ball is directed (legally) back into the players own playing space.
Explanations of pitcher / bomb race
Every team in the Tracks Tavern Volleyball league is eligible to join in a Pitcher and/or Bomb race, which takes place over the course of each season. Teams will be awarded prizes based on the quantity of pitchers or bombs purchased; and will compete against other team on the same night they play, regardless of league.
Teams can join this Race by informing their server or bartender that they wish to record a purchase as accruing on their team. They must tell the server or bartender the team name, night and court. Teams must inform their server or bartender AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. Prizes will be awarded on the following week that they are accrued.