JAM rules for Volleyball Court Intermediate-Recreational


© JAM 1996-2025

VOLLEYBALL (COURT) INTERMEDIATE/RECREATIONAL

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

1. Game Time/Default:  Please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure that your games start on time.  Matches are 55 minutes in length, and are comprised of  three RALLY POINT games to 25 points.  The Cap is also at 25 points. Therefore, if the score is tied 24-24, the next point wins (first team to 25 points). If a match concludes early, the teams can continue to play, but the score of the fourth game will not be recorded. Please agree on one person to act as timekeeper. Teams are comprised of six (6) players with a minimum of two (2) women or gender minority and two (2) men or gender minority players on the court.  A default for the first game of a match will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time.  The second game of the match will be defaulted 20 minutes after the official start time and the third and final game of the match will be defaulted 30 minutes after the official start time (e.g. a team that defaults the first game, can still play the second and third games, providing that enough players eventually arrive). A team can play with a minimum of 5 people, as long as there are two (2) men or gender minority and two (2) women or gender minority players. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts.  IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS! 

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 2. General Rules:

  1. Rally point scoring WILL be used during league play - you do not have to be serving to score a point. (revised January 14, 2002)
  2. A player may NOT block or spike a serve.
  3. Players CAN open-hand volley a serve.
  4. A server may serve the ball from anywhere along the baseline.  
  5. Net serves ARE allowed.  This means that if a serve hits the net but the motion of the ball carries it over the net, it is a live ball - it is not a service fault (revised Jan 14, 2002)
  6. A player may play the ball off any part of their body, including feet.
  7. A player may not touch the net during any part of the play.  Please call your own net violations.
  8. Rotate new players in before your team starts a new server.
  9. A player may pass under the net as long as it does not interfere with the play.  In other words, a blocker or spiker may land under the net/cross the line, as long as it happens without stopping the play or hindering the opposition.  Please avoid doing this where possible to eliminate the possibility of injury.
  10. If time runs out in the middle of a game, whoever is winning the game at that moment is considered the winner.
  11. If 10 minutes have elapsed after the official start of the game and not enough players are present to field a team, the first game of the match is defaulted.  At 20 minutes after the start of the official start time, the second game is defaulted, and at 30 minutes after the official start time, the third game is defaulted.  Each defaulted game results in the loss of one (1) in the overall standings.
  12. Servers DO rotate after five consecutive points.  The same team continues to serve as long as their team successfully wins the point.
  13. A ball that hits the wall or ceiling is out of bounds.
  14. A game can end in a tie during the regular season.  In the playoffs, matches are best 2 out of 3.  All three sets are to 25 points (capped at 25). If the third and deciding set is tied at the end of regulation time, teams will play one more point to determine the winner.
  15. Any team defaulting more than 2 matches may be asked to leave the league, with no refund.
  16. Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out per match if needed except during the final 10 minutes of play.

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3. Discrepancies:  All games are self-refereed.  Any disputes will be discussed amongst the two team captains.  Please play honestly and call your own infractions (lift, net, etc).  If a dispute cannot be settled the point should be re-served.

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