Volleyball

In-PersonTeam (5-8)Nashville Only

Overview

MIST adheres to standard recreational volleyball regulations. These rules encompass both offensive maneuvers (foot faults, hitting) and defensive strategies (blocking, net violations). Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of these rules before engaging in tournament activities.

Registration Guidelines

Each school may register a maximum of eight (8) competitors
A minimum of five (5) team members required to form a team
Schools that cannot register 5 players may collaborate with another school (with approval)
- All points and awards shared equally between collaborating schools (termed “coalitions”)

General Rules

Recreational volleyball rules govern gameplay, with exceptions outlined below
All MIST rules and regulations, including dress code policies, are strictly enforced
Players must participate in at least one other MIST competition

Game Regulations

Boundaries

Court boundaries are demarcated by the YELLOW and WHITE lines
A comprehensive discussion on boundary lines will be conducted on the day of the tournament

Team Composition

Each team consists of six (6) players on the court, with additional players on the bench
Teams may commence play with five (5) players
There will be no forfeited games

Equal Time Play

To uphold fairness, when teams exceed six players:

A new player joins the game after each rotation
Players coming off the bench replace offensive players who have completed their serve
After a rotation, the player in position 1 moves to the bench, and their replacement enters in position 6
This rotation pattern ensures consistent bench-to-court movement

Position Transition

Following a serve, players may transition to different positions (designated setters, left-side hitters)
After each gained point, players must revert to their original positions for the subsequent serve

Uneven Teams

If one team has fewer than six players, the opposing team is not obligated to match the lower number

Service Order

First serve in Game 1 determined by coin toss between team captains
Subsequent games begin with the team that did not serve first in the previous game
Players must adhere to the service order

Timeouts

Round	Timeouts Allowed
Games 1 & 2	Two 1-minute timeouts per game
Game 3 (tiebreaker)	One 1-minute timeout

Serve and Serve Faults

Players may serve using overhand or underhand technique
One service tossing error (letting ball bounce without hitting after toss) allowed per serve

Serve faults include:

Touching a player of the serving team
Failure to clear the net
Landing out of bounds
Passing over a screen (when players wave arms, jump, or move sideways to hide the server)
Stepping on or past the service line during serve

Replay and Ceiling Hits

In instances of uncertainty, the referee will declare a replay
When the ball hits the ceiling:
- If it lands back on the hitting team’s side: remains playable
- If it falls on the opponent’s side: scores a point for the opponent

Three-Hit Limit and Blocks

Teams allowed a maximum of three hits before returning the ball
If first touch occurs during a block, team is granted three additional contacts
Front players are prohibited from blocking serves

Centerline Violation

Players must not cross the centerline (foot cannot go completely over it) at any point during play

Proper Ball Handling

The ball must be properly hit. Prohibited actions:

Momentary holding in hands or arms
Throwing
Lifting
Carrying

Body Contact

Players may use any part of their body for ball contact
Simultaneous contact from multiple body parts is acceptable

Double Contacts

With the exception of blocks or service receives, double contacts are not allowed
Simultaneous contact by two players on the same team counts as two touches
Ball must pass over the legal portion of the net to be in play

Scoring

Aspect	Details
Match Format	Best of three games
Scoring Type	Rally scoring (points on every serve)
Points to Win	First to 15 points
Tiebreaker	If teams split first two games, third game determines winner
Win Margin	Must lead by at least 2 points

If one team wins the first two games, the third game will not be played
Additional tie-breaking games may be played until one team achieves victory by the designated margin

Attire and Coaching

Uniform Requirements

Required attire:

Matching, numbered jerseys
No short shorts
No sleeveless shirts
No crop tops

Coaching Staff

Each team is allowed one coach and one assistant coach on the team bench
Both coaches must be at least 21 years old

Quick Reference

Court Positions

        Center Line and Net
    ┌────────────────────────┐
    │  LF    MF    RF       │
    │   4     3     2       │
    │                       │
    │  LB    MB    RB       │
    │   5     6     1       │
    └────────────────────────┘
         (Serving Position)

Game Summary

Rule	Details
Team Size	5-8 players (6 on court)
Games per Match	Best of 3
Points to Win	15 (rally scoring)
Hits per Side	Maximum 3
Timeouts	2 per game (1 in Game 3)
Coaches	1 coach + 1 assistant (21+ years old)