BEACH VOLLEYBALL within this centre is a social competition played between 2 teams (either 4-on-4 or 2-on-2) on a sand-based rectangular court with a raised net down the centre, black court outline with dimensions of 18m by 9m, and a free zone of approximately 3m around the outside of the court. The object of the game is to score as many points as possible before the end of the game. This is to be achieved within the guidelines set out below and the game to be conducted in good spirit and in accordance with good sportsmanship. All players take the court with the understanding to abide by the referee’s decision, and that all decisions are at the referee’s discretion. Management reserves the right to officiate over the rules in the best interests of the competition.

GAME OUTLINE

All games are 2 x 20 minute halves with a brief interval between halves at the team’s and/or referee’s discretion. The clock will not be stopped during the game for any reason unless deemed necessary by management.

GAME POINTS

Each team will receive four (4) points for a win, two (2) points for a draw, zero (0) points for a loss. Win or lose, one (1) point will be awarded for every twenty (20) points scored within a game as a bonus.

In any semi-final or grand final game is still a draw at the end of regular time, the game shall then go into a five (5) minute overtime period. At the conclusion of the overtime period, the team which is ahead by at least a deficit of two (2) points will win the game and hence ends the game.

TEAM COMPOSITION AND SUBSTITUTIONS

A team shall consist of up to four (4) players on the court at all times and it is up to the team’s discretion on the number of substitute players they wish to use per match. A substitution can be made in the following instances:

  • In the event the receiving team gains a point in their favour following the winning of a point;
  • If a player has suffered an injury (if a player is bleeding, he/she will be asked to leave the court immediately and cover the wound directly before continuing the game); or
  • As per request to the referee.

If a team does not have enough players to begin playing when the game clock commences, the non-offending team will receive two (2) points for every one (1) minute the offending team cannot field enough players to begin playing. If the offending team cannot begin the game with ten (10) minutes remaining in the 1st half, the non-offending team which is present will be awarded a win-on-forfeit. If any team requires fill-ins, they may use other players from other teams until they have enough players to take the court. Teams are not allowed more than four (4) players in this situation for the duration of the game.

GENERAL PLAY

The point system for beach volleyball at the centre is rally point where every single point counts. A point commences upon the whistle by the referee and a point is ended again upon the whistle by the referee. Following the 1st whistle, a point is commenced by an under-arm or over-arm serve from outside the court and over the centre net. A serve may still be made if the server has thrown the ball in the air and has not commenced their serving action. A ball hitting the net and falling over into the opposition’s side of the court from a serve or general play is considered still in play.

Once a permissible serve has been made, the receiving team is permitted up to three (3) touches of the ball before requiring to hit the ball back over the centre net and into the opposition team’s side of the court in an attempt to win a point. If the ball is still in play following one team’s use, the opposition team will then have up to three (3) touches of the ball themselves to hit the ball back over the centre net and into the opposition team’s side of the court in an attempt to win the point. In any event, a team must return the ball over to the opposition team’s side of the centre net by the third touch. One (1) touch of the ball by a player may be made by any one (1)part of the player’s body including off a block. The rally will continue until one team has been awarded the point by the referee.

Points may be awarded in the following instances:

Off the serve

  • A point will be awarded to the non-offending team if a player from the offending team in commencing a point with a serve comes into contact with the black court outline with any part of the body before completing their serve action;
  • A point will be awarded to the serving team if a front court player in the opposition team receiving a serve attacks the serve straight back over the centre net and into the serving team’s side of the court on the 1st attempt (i.e. an “attack” off the serve over the centre net and back into the serving team’s side of the court will be any attacking motion by a player’s arm(s) that is considered to be over shoulder height including a set, spike or block);

In play

  • A point will be awarded to the attacking team if they hit the ball over the centre net and inside the court on the opposition team’s side of the net during a rally and not immediately after a serve has been made (i.e. a ball landing on the line after it has passed over the centre net and there has been no player interference is considered still inside the court);
  • A point will be awarded to the attacking team if they force the opposition team into error by:
  • The opposition team being unable to receive and/or return a serve;
  • The opposition team being unable to receive and/or return a ball during general play;
  • Further to number (4) above, a point will be awarded to the attacking team if the opposition team are unable to return the ball over the centre net due to an unforced error off the serve and/or during a rally;
  • A point will be awarded to the non-offending team if an offending team uses more than the permitted three (3)touches to hit the ball back over the centre net and into the non-offending team’s side of the court in an attempt to win a point (i.e. a point may be awarded to the non-offending team if a player from the offending team has made a clear double hit which is defined as clearly hitting two (2)different parts of the body); and
  • A point will be awarded to the non-offending team if a player from the offending team has made a touch of the ball in a “lifting” or “carry” motion at any time, both in an under-arm motion or an over-arm motion (i.e. to avoid being penalised for a “lift” or “carry”, a player is advised to hit the ball with a closed fist or ensure that an open-handed touch is a hard hit or slap).

Advantage may be called by the referee if in the referee’s opinion the non-offending team has gained a distinct advantage as a result of an offence committed by the offending team.

 

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