Volleyball Rules - Kidsports

General Rules

The rules and regulations in this handbook have been implemented to provide a quality program and positive experience for all participants. Kidsports mission is to promote the development of these players by creating a learning environment which encompasses all aspects and positions of volleyball. At every level, the long term objective should be three hits per side. Make sure this is the goal for your team. Do not stress winning the game, but that your team attempts to get three hits every time the ball comes to their side of the net. As a volunteer coach, you have the opportunity to teach young athletes the values, ethics, and responsibilities that are important to the guidance and development of your team. Coaches are expected to maintain a positive attitude and comply with the meaning, spirit and intent of program policies and regulations of Kidsports. Most program policies dealing with team formation, practices, and general procedures can be found in your Coach’s Handbook.

Games & Matches
1. Official Schedule
  1. A schedule for each KIDSPORTS team will be drafted by the KIDSPORTS Program Staff. Once a schedule is published by KIDSPORTS, the schedule will not be changed, altered, modified, etc., except in those situations deemed to be of an extraordinary nature.
  2. All schedule changes must be approved by a Sports Manager.
2. Game Times
  1. Friday games played in the evening.
  2. Saturday games played all day.
  3. Sunday games played all day.
3. Team Arrival
  1. Five minutes prior to a scheduled game, coaches will meet with officials for pre-game conference, coin flip and exchange of lineup cards. The minimum number of players (3 for grades 3-5 and 4 for grades 6-8) must be present prior to the scheduled match starting time.
  2. Failure to have players present and/or failure of coaches to have pre-game duties completed at the scheduled starting time will cause the referee to award a win by forfeit to the team ready to play. If both teams are in violation, the game will be declared “no contest” and each team will be charged with a loss.
4. Starting Time
  1. Games must start at the scheduled starting time according to the official schedule published by KIDSPORTS. If a preceding game extends beyond the scheduled starting time, the game must begin within 5 minutes after the completion of the preceding game.
5. Disputed Calls and Protests
  1. Disputed calls must be resolved on the court. The official’s decisions are final.
6. Game Sheets
  1. Prior to each game, each coaches are required to fill out an official KIDSPORTS game sheet. The game sheet must include all players listed on the team roster filed with the KIDSPORTS office.

3rd GRADE RULE MODIFICATIONS

(Unless specified, games will be played

according to high school rules).

3rd Grade Objectives: 3rd grade is our entry-level for volleyball participation. The goal of the program is to help children develop movement skills, and volleyball specific skills, in order to move and play with basic passing fundamentals of the game. Coach toss encourages and enhances this development.

Games are played according to the National Federation of State High School Associations Volleyball Rules Book (NFHS). Below are modifications and clarifications adopted by KIDSPORTS for teams in the 3rd grade.

I. The Match and Scoring:

There will be no scoring for 3rd grade. Teams will play with a 45-minute running clock.

II. Time Outs:

Teams will have two timeouts per game and timeouts shall not exceed 60 seconds and are not allowed during the last two minutes of a time limit.

III. The Coach Serve:

There will be three total serves for each team possession. In coach toss, the defensive coach will toss the ball three times to their own team. The coach will move to the opposite side of the net to put the ball into play. Defensive players may not attack the ball at the net.

IV. The Rotation:

Each team must rotate their entire roster throughout each game, into the serving position. In rotation, the new player can be inserted before or after the team’s possession. Whichever you decide you need to be consistent throughout the game.

V. The Court:

3rd grade play on a court 20′ X 20′ for each half.

VI. Serving Line:

N/A

VII. Net:

3rd grade will have 6′ net height.

VIII. Ball:

A special light weight ball will be used and provided by KIDSPORTS.

IX. Team Composition:

A team shall consist of four players on the court at one time in 3rd grade. At least three players must be present to start a game. If a player shows up after a game has begun, he/she should be inserted into the game at a side-out or a time out.

X. Playing Requirements:

All players present play in every game. Players follow the rotation assigned by the coach prior to the game. The only substitutions or changes allowed will be due to a late arriving player or an injured player.

4th GRADE RULE MODIFICATIONS

(Unless specified, games will be played

according to high school rules).

4th Grade Objectives: 4th grade is our 2nd year entry-level program for volleyball participation. The goal of the program is to help children develop movement skills, and volleyball specific skills, in order to move and play with basic passing and playing fundamentals of the game. The 3 serve (2 player serves & 1 coach) rule encourages and enhances this development.

I. The Match and Scoring:

There will be no scoring for 4th grade. Teams will play with a 45-minute running clock.

II. Time Outs:

Teams will each have 2 timeouts per game that shall not exceed 60 seconds each and are not allowed during the last two minutes of a time limit.

III. The Server:

There will be three total serves for each team possession. Servers have the opportunity to serve twice in the serving position. Once the player serves two times, it will become coach toss for one serve. In coach toss, the defensive coach will toss the ball once to their own team. The coach will move to the opposite side of the net to put the ball into play. Defensive players may not attack the ball at the net, regardless of if the ball is served by the player or coach toss.

IV. The Rotation:

V. The Court:

4th grade play on a court 20′ X 20′ for each half.

VI. Serving Line:

4th grade will serve from the back line (20′ from the net).

VII. Net:

4th grade will have 6′ net height.

VIII. Ball:

A special light weight ball will be used and provided by KIDSPORTS.

IX. Team Composition:

A team shall consist of four players on the court at one time in 4th grade. At least three players must be present to start a game. If a player shows up after a game has begun, he/she should be inserted into the game at a side-out or a time out.

X. Playing Requirements:

5th GRADE RULE MODIFICATIONS

(Unless specified, games will be played

according to high school rules).

5th Grade Objectives: 5th grade is our transition year for volleyball participation – as the program transitions from coach-toss to full-service play and rotation. The goal at this level is to teach fundamental movement and volleyball skills; that focus on 3 hits per possession – pass, set, and hit – which is the underlying objective at this level.

I. The Match:

A regular season match will consist of 3 games or the expiration of the 45-minute time limit, whichever comes first.

II. Scoring:

Rally scoring will be used. The winner of a game shall be the first team to 25 points. If a third game is played, it will be played to 15 points. All games must have a two-point margin for victory with a cap of 27 points in the first two games and a cap of 17 points in the third game.

III. Time Limits:

If a team has won 2 games, teams will continue to play until they’ve reached the time limit of 45 minutes. (This modification is to encourage practice/skill building).

IV. Time Outs:

Time Outs (2 per game) shall not exceed 30 seconds and are not allowed during the last two minutes of a time limit.

V. The Server:

Each server is allowed to serve as long as they win points for a maximum of three serves. After three successful winning serves, a team retains the serve but the next player in the rotation becomes the server. The server is a designated back row player and cannot come to the net to attack the ball. A let serve is legal, so a serve that touches the net but continues over into the opponents’ court is a playable ball.
Each player will receive only one ‘practice toss’ in total per rotation. Referee may award a point to the other team each time a player continues to do a “practice toss” before each serve.

VI. The Court:

5th grade will play on a court 25′ X 25′ for each half.

VII. Serving Line:

5th grade will serve from the back line (25′ from net).

VIII. Net:

5th grade will have 6’5″ net height.

IX. Ball:

A special light weight ball will be used and provided by KIDSPORTS.

X. Team Composition:
A team shall consist of 6 in the 5th grade. At least four players must be present to start a game. If a player shows up after a game has begun, he/she should be inserted into the game at a side-out or a time out.

XI. Playing Requirements and rotation:

All players on the KIDSPORTS team roster must be listed on the game score sheet. All players present play in every game. Players follow the rotation assigned by the coach prior to the game. You must rotate your entire roster into the serving position, no substitutions. The only substitutions or changes allowed will be due to a late arriving player or an injured player.

Failure to play players the required amount shall result in a forfeit of the match

*Coach must clear with Sports Manager if a player does not play required minimum playing time due to disciplinary reasons. This must be cleared prior to the game.

6th GRADE RULE MODIFICATIONS

(Unless specified, games will be played

according to high school rules).

6th Grade Objectives: 6th grade volleyball begins to introduce more advanced fundamentals and competitive skills of the game while still maximizing participation and a full range of positional play for each player.

I. The Match:

A regular season match will consist of 2 out of 3 games.

II. Scoring:

Rally scoring will be used. The winner of a game shall be the first team to 25 points. If a third game is necessary, it will be played to 15 points. All games must have a two-point margin for victory with a cap of 27 points in the first two games and a cap of 17 points in the third game.

III. Time Limits:

The total match will have a 55-minute time limit. If time limit is reached, finish the point if in the middle of play. Regardless of score of game, the match is over. If a team has already won 2 games, teams will continue to play until they’ve reached the time limit. (This modification is to encourage practice/skill building. No score will be kept for the 3rd game).

IV. Time Outs:

Time Outs (2 per game) shall not exceed 30 seconds.

V. The Server:

The server is a designated back row player and cannot come to the net to attack the ball. Under rally scoring, a let serve is legal and the ball is in play.
Each player will receive only one ‘practice toss’ in total per rotation. Referee may award a point to the other team each time a player continues to do a “practice toss” before each serve.

VI. The Court:

A full size court 30′ X 30′ for each half will be utilized.

VII. The Serving Line:

The serving line will be at 28 feet from the center line.

VIII. Net:

Net height will be 7′ 4 1/8”.

IX. Ball:

6th grade will use a special light weight ball provided by KIDSPORTS.

X. Team Composition:

A team shall consist of six (6) players on the court at one time. At least four players must be present to start a game. If a player shows up after a game has begun, he/she should be inserted into the game at an appropriate time.

XI. Playing Requirements and Rotation:

Failure to play players the required amount shall result in a forfeit of the match

*Coach must clear with Sports Manager if a player does not play required minimum playing time due to disciplinary reasons. This must be cleared prior to the game.

7th-8th GRADE RULE MODIFICATIONS

(Unless specified, games will be played

according to high school rules).

7th-8th Grade Objectives: 7th/8th grade volleyball refines fundamental movement and volleyball sport specific skills while continuing to introduce and develop more advanced fundamentals and competitive skills of the game. Minimum playing time for all players must be facilitated (each player must play in at least 33% of match time) through the NFHS (National Federation of High School) Volleyball rules

I. The Match:

A regular season match will consist of 2 out of 3 games.

II. Scoring:

III. Time Limits:

IV. Time Outs:

Time Outs (2 per game) shall not exceed 30 seconds.

V. The Server:

VI. The Court:

A full size court 30′ X 30′ for each half will be utilized.

VII. The Serving Line:

The serving line will be at 28 feet from the center line.

VIII. Net:

Net height will be 7′ 4 1/8”.

IX. Ball:

7th and 8th grades will use a regulation ball provided by KIDSPORTS.

X. Team Composition:

XI. Playing Requirements: 7/8th grade volleyball plays pure NFHS volleyball rules while honoring the minimum playing time for each player (33% of match time available)

Substitutions: All teams in the upper division shall adhere to the regular high school substitution rules. Teams playing in all other divisions can choose to use the simple player rotation method used in 6th grade or use high school substitution rules. The coach must choose one method or the other and stick with it through an entire game. Different method can be used in each seperate game within a match.)

Failure to play players the required amount shall result in a forfeit of the match

*Coach must clear with Sports Manager if a player does not play required minimum playing time due to disciplinary reasons. This must be cleared prior to the game.

XII. Libero (lee-bah-ro)

The Libero is a defensive specialist.

Why would a KIDSPORTS team use a libero?

Utilize a player who has exceptional back row skills.

Give a defensive specialist/smaller player a chance to play more than ½ of the game if they don’t play front row.

Start to learn the high-school game/rules.

The libero CAN:

Substitute for any back row position

Serve from one spot in the rotation

Sub out/Sub in on the same possession

The libero CANNOT:

Attack above the net anywhere on the court

Set the ball overhand from in front of the 10 ft. line resulting in an attack

Play the front row

Libero Procedure:

Designate the Libero in the starting line-up

Libero must wear a different color jersey (or a penny)

The Libero substitutes freely and immediately after a play without stopping at the net (as with formal substitutions).

The libero and the player she is replacing must both exit and enter the court behind the 10′ line.