Open 6's Volleyball Rules

All Ontario Volleyball Association rules will be in effect with the following amendments and/or additions:

A) PLAYERS:

1. Maximum 6 players on the court, minimum 4

                a. Teams short players may ask opposition to allow the game to proceed

B) GAME SETUP:

1. Matches will be 45 minutes in length, consisting of two games to 21 points, followed by a third capped at 15 or by time-limit.

                a. Teams do not have to win by a margin of 2 points

2. The net will be set to the height of 2.24 metres.

C) GAME PLAY:

1. Substitution/Rotation: The method used must be consistent throughout the game.

2. Kicking: While the ball may be played with any part of the body, a kicking motion is not allowed - the ball may only be struck with the foot by placing the foot on the ground in between the ball and the floor.

3. No time outs are permitted.

4. Maximum 5 consecutive serves per player (i.e. following a 5 serve streak, the team must rotate)

 

Corec 6's Volleyball Rules

All Canadian/Ontario Volleyball Association rules apply, with the following changes:

A) PLAYERS

• Maximum 6 players on the court, maximum 3 men on the court
• Minimum 4 players on the court, minimum 2 women on the court
• Teams short players may ask opposition to allow the game to proceed

B) GAME SETUP:

1. Scoring: Games will either be...

1.1 All matches will be 2 games to 21 points, with a maximum 27 minute time limit for the match (i.e., second game may be capped below 21 points).

a. Teams do not have to win by a margin of two points.

b. On most regular season game days, immediately following their first match teams will rotate during a 3-minute rest period to their next court for their next match.

1.2  Matches will be 45 minutes in length, consisting of two games to 21 points, followed by a third capped at 15 or by time-limit.

2. The net will be set to the Corec height of 2.24 metres.

 

C) GAME PLAY:

1. Substitution/Rotation: The method used must be consistent throughout the game.

2. Men cannot jump in front of the 3-meter (attack) line. When attacking, blocking, tipping, or dumping in front of this line, men must keep at least one foot touching the ground.

3. Kicking: While the ball may be played with any part of the body, a kicking motion is not allowed - the ball may only be struck with the foot by placing the foot on the ground in between the ball and the floor.

4. No time outs are permitted.

5. Maximum 5 consecutive serves per player (i.e. following a 5 serve streak, the team must rotate).

Women's & Men's 6's Volleyball Rules

All Ontario Volleyball Association rules will be in effect with the following amendments and/or additions:

A) PLAYERS:

1. Maximum 6 players on the court, minimum 4.

a. Teams short players may ask the opposition to allow the game to proceed.

B) GAME SETUP:

1. Matches will be 45 minutes in length, consisting of two games to 21 points, followed by a third capped at 15 or by time-limt.

a. Teams do not have to win by a margin of two points.

C) GAME PLAY:

1. Substitution/Rotation: The method used must be consistent throughout the game.

2. Kicking: While the ball may be played with any part of the body, a kicking motion is not allowed - the ball may only be struck with the foot by placing the foot on the ground in between the ball and the floor.

3. No time outs are permitted.

4. Maximum 5 consecutive serves per player (i.e. following a 5 serve streak, the team must rotate).

Open Sitting 5's Volleyball Rules

An overview of basic game play is outlined below. Rules are adapted from World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) and all WOVD rules apply.

A) PLAYERS:

1. Maximum 5 players, minimum 4 players

                a.  Teams short players may ask opposition to allow the game to proceed

B) GAME SETUP:

1. Matches will be 45 minutes in length, consisting of two games to 21 points, followed by a third capped at 15 or by time-limit.

                a. Teams do not have to win by a margin of 2 points

                b. Games will be played with RALLY SCORING ONLY

2. The size of the playing court is 10m x 6m, the attack lines are drawn 2 metres from the axis of the center line.

C) GAME PLAY:

1. Players:

- Players must have contact with the court with the part of the body from the shoulders to the buttocks at all times when playing the ball

- To stand up, raise or take steps is forbidden. A short loss of contact with the court is permitted when playing the ball, excluding the service, the block and attack hit when the ball is completely higher than the top of the net.

- Player position is determined by the position of their buttocks.

- Touching the opponent's court with foot/leg is permitted, provided the player does not interfere with an opposing player and the foot/leg is returned directly to his/her court.

- Touching the opponent's court with hand is permitted, provided that part of the penetrating hand remains in contact or directly above the center line.

- When 5 players are on the court, 3 are considered frontcourt players

2. Blocking the serve is permitted

3. Substitution/Rotation: The method used must be consistent throughout the game.

4. No timeouts are permitted.

Open & Corec 4's Volleyball Rules

All Ontario Volleyball Association rules will be in effect with the following amendments and/or additions:

A) PLAYERS:

• Maximum 4 players on the court, maximum 2 men on the court
• Minimum 3 players on the court
• Teams short players may ask opposition to allow the game to proceed

B) GAME SETUP:

1. Match will consist of two games to 21 points, followed by a third to 15, or capped at the 45 minute time limit.

a. Teams do not have to win by a margin of two points.

2. The net will be set to the women’s height of 2.24 m.

C) GAME PLAY:

1. Male-identified players are prohibited from front-row attacking or blocking (even without jumping). Any attempt to return the ball in front of the 3-meter line (tipping, dumping) must be made with at least one foot touching the ground.

2. Serving:

a. Service order must be maintained, but there are no positional faults in terms of player rotation on the court.

b. Players may serve anywhere behind the baseline.

c. A ball served off the net that goes over is legal and the ball is considered in play.

4. Kicking: While the ball may be played with any part of the body, a kicking motion is not allowed - the ball may only be struck with the foot by placing the foot on the ground in between the ball and the floor.

5. Maximum 5 consecutive serves per player (i.e. following a 5 serve streak, the team must rotate).

Pairs Volleyball Tournament Rules

Check the Sport Calendar (PDF) for tournament dates!

Take 50+ volleyball enthusiasts, divide them into co-ed pairs, throw them into a gym for a few hours, and watch the smiles grow wider. Each 12 minute game will see you and your partner teamed up with two other pairs to face off 6-on-6 against your opponents. When the horn blows, partners rotate courts, meet new teammates, and the fun starts all over again. The pair with the best points-for/against at the end of the tournament wins!

Brought to life at McMaster by then-student-staff member Jessica Chiu, the Pairs tournaments continue to grow in popularity, and definitely hold their own in the "feel-good event of the year" category.

While both tournaments feature fantastic volleyball, new friends, and all-around good times, our fall tournament also reaches beyond sport in support of Right To Play. Check each tournament's page on the right to learn more.

• Co-ed pairs register in-person or online
• Registration open during the weeks leading up to the tournament

Tournament Day Schedule

• Pairs meet in Sport Hall for Donations, Rules & Schedule Draw
  Each pair must be present to draw their schedule and make their donations for the day - staff will explain the rules, and then the fun begins!

• Let the games begin!
  Each game will be 12 minutes in length - when the buzzer sounds you have 3 minutes to find your next court, strategize with your new teammates, and flip for serve/side.

• Champions Crowned
  Final scores will be tabulated, donation points will be factored in, and the top 3 pairs will be awarded their coveted Intramural Champions' shirts.

Play in Support of Right To Play

• Stack the standings in your favour!
  Donations in support of Right To Play will be collected at check-in.
  $1 = 1 point, capped at 20 points. Right To Play donation points will be unveiled after the game-play standings have been calculated, and a winner will be declared.

• Right To Play is an internationally recognized organization that uses specially-designed sport and play programmes to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty, disease. Learn more about Right To Play and get connected with the McMaster Right To Play Club!

What is a 'pairs tournament'?

• Calling it a 'pairs' tournament can be a little confusing, as it sounds like you play 2-on-2 as you do in beach doubles - in factyou'll play 6-on-6. The 'pairs' factor relates to the fact that each co-ed pair will be partnered up with two other pairs to compete against their opponents - three other randomly assigned pairs!

• Each game will see your pair partnered with 4 new players, facing off against 6 new opponents. Eventually you get to play with or against most other pairs in the tournament.

• Points for/against will be calculated for each game. The pair with the best points for/against at the end of the tournament wins! Total wins/losses does not matter - only points!

• Games will use rally-point scoring and will be played on a co-ed net height.