Life Time Volleyball
Location: Life Time Fridley
Volleyball Coordinator: Jeff Hall - jhall2@lt.life
MORE INFORMATION:
Official Information & Rules of Play
(Adapted from USA Volleyball, NCAA, VNL, Indoor Volleyball Rules)
League Overview
The Life Time Volleyball League is designed for adult athletes seeking structured, competitive, and inclusive play in a well-officiated environment. While rules follow USA Volleyball (USAV) standards, certain modifications are made for recreational coed league play.
Our goals: competitive fairness, safe play, and a positive experience for all players.
1. Season Format
A) Each team plays one match per Sunday. Each season match will be best of 3, win by 2 with a point cap of 30. Game 3 will end 15pts win by 2 with a point cap of 30, switch sides at 8 .
Each season match is scheduled for 45 minutes but a match will time out and play will end at the 60-minute mark. If a team wins set 1 and 2, set 3 will not be played.
B) 7 or a 10 scheduled weeks league play.
C) 1 week of playoffs. Top 4 seated teams.
D) Match schedule will rotate teams through early and late time slots.
E) This league is designed to be self-officiated. Teams must provide a 5-person officiating crew when indicated on the season schedule. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of that weeks Match. Teams may ask any Active Player in same or above playing level to substitute.
2. Coed Play
A) This is a coed league—no gender-based restrictions or position requirements.
B) The net will be set at men’s regulation height for all matches.
C) No restrictions on front-row/back-row participation based on gender.
D) Any combination of players may form a team.
3. Levels of Play
1) Open Division (Lower Level)
Designed for beginner to intermediate teams.
A) Middle set offences are permitted.
B) Modified substitution rules (free subs or group rotation).
C) USAV ball-handling standards will be called with more leniency for developing players.
D) Best suited for teams seeking structured play without system requirements.
o Jump Serving not permitted at this level.
o Liberos are not permitted at this level.
E) Player R1s will be audited and approved during week 1 and week 2 play by a Life Time Volleyball Coordinator. A Life Time Volleyball Coordinator may be pre-requested to substitute for a Player R1.
2) Upper Division (Competitive Level)
For experienced teams playing within recognized volleyball systems.
A) Teams must run either a 5–1 or 6–2 offense.
B) Rotational order must be maintained at serve.
C) Standard USAV substitution rules apply (see section below).
D) Players should demonstrate strong ball control, system discipline, and tactical awareness
E) Player R1swill be audited and approved during week 1 and week 2 play by a Life Time Volleyball Coordinator.
4. Gameplay Rules
1) Rally Scoring
A) All sets use rally scoring.
B) Match format determined by the league is best-of-3.
C) Sets 1 and 2: 25 points, win by 2. Cap 30
D) If same team wins both sets, deciding set will not be played.
E) Deciding set 3: 15 points, win by 2. Cap 30
F) Each match is scheduled for 45 minutes. The match will end at 60 minutes of play.
G) 30 second time outs expired after 40 minutes of match play.
2) Court & Equipment
A) Court dimensions: standard 30x60 feet.
B) Net height: men’s regulation (2.43 m / 7’11 5/8”).
C) Approved indoor balls will be used.
3) Obstructions Within the Field of Play
The volleyball courts may include structural elements, or facility features located near or above the playing area. To ensure consistent and fair play, the following standards apply to all matches:
3.1) Ceiling & Overhead Obstructions
A) Contact with the ceiling or any overhead obstruction is a dead ball and results in a loss of rally if the ball crosses into the opponent’s space after the contact.
B) A ball that hits the ceiling or overhead structure and returns to the same side may be played, provided the team has remaining contacts and the ball has not crossed the plane of the net.
3.2) Side Walls, Posts, and Non-Playable Surfaces
A) Any ball that contacts side walls, divider curtains, support posts, spectator areas, or other non-playable surfaces is out of play and results in a loss of rally.
B) A player may step or run outside the court boundaries to play a ball provided they do not contact walls, equipment, or spectators in a dangerous manner.
C) Players may not “CHASE” a ball once it has crossed the center line in or out on the playing field.
4) Equipment Interference
A) Contact with the net outside the antenna, referee stand, or net supports is not a fault unless it interferes with play.
B) Contact with the antenna or net support that affects the play is a fault.
5) Safety & Space Considerations
A) Players are responsible for avoiding contact with obstructions that may cause injury.
B) Any play that puts a player at clear risk due to an obstruction may be stopped immediately by the official.
6) Referee Discretion
Officials may rule a replay (“reserve”) if an obstruction outside normal play conditions clearly affects the rally, at their discretion.
7) Serving
A) Serve from anywhere behind the end line within the service zone.
B) Players must wait for the referee’s whistle prior to serving.
C) Let serves are legal.
D) Once a serving player has tossed the ball, Rotation faults do not apply.
8) First Contact
A) Life Time Volleyball Leauge allows double contacts on first team contact (serve receive or defensive play) if it is a single playing action.
B) Open-hand receive of serve is legal if not held or lifted.
9) Second Contact
A) Double contact - On the second team hit, the ball may contact various parts of the body consecutively, provided that the contact occurs during one action and the ball is next touched by a teammate.
B) However, if the ball is played over the net in this type of scenario, it would be ruled a fault, and the team would lose the point
10) Ball Handling
A) Prolonged contact, lifts, and throws will be called using USAV standards.
B) Spin alone is not a fault.
C) Double contacts on third touch will be called consistently across ALL Divisions.
11) Net & Center Line Rules
A) Touching the net is a fault.
B) Contact with the net outside the antenna, not affecting play, may be allowed.
C) Crossing the center line is legal if no advantage is gained and no interference or potential interference occurs.
12) Attacking & Blocking
A) Back-row attacks must take off from behind the attack line when the ball is above net height. Back-row players must have both feet on the court if playing the ball over the net in front of the attack line. Libero setting rules apply.
B) Block touches do not count as one of the three team contacts.
C) Any player may block or attack regardless of gender.
5. Rotations & Substitutions
Player Substitutions must wait for R2 confirmation before entering the court and happen in front of the attack line. A libero substitution does not need to wait for R2 confirmation to enter the court and happen behind the attack line.
1) Open Division
A) Flexible substitution format (e.g., “rotate in”).
B) No limit on total substitutions.
C) Player can be substituted “out” if an injury occurs once play has stopped.
D) Liberos are not permitted in this division
2) Upper Division
A) 12 substitutions per set (per team).
B) Libero may replace any same back-row position per set. Libero may only serve one player per set.
C) Teams must maintain rotational integrity at serve.
D) Illegal alignment or overlap will result in point/loss of rally until the ball is tossed for serve.
6. Match Administration
1) Before the Match
· Captains and R1 conduct coin toss to determine serve/receive or side.
Lineups submitted prior to opening whistle.
2) Timeouts
· Two timeouts per set (30 seconds each).
Time outs will not be permitted in a match after 40 minutes of play.
No additional technical timeouts unless noted.
3) Officials
A) Matches will be self-officiated or by Life Time Coordinator / trained referees using USAV standards.
B) The official’s ruling is final on judgment calls.
7. Sportsmanship & Conduct
A) Life Time ethics and conduct expectations apply.
B) Verbal abuse, intimidation, harassment, or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in warnings, penalties, forfeiter, up to the removal of a team for the remainder of the season, as well as any legal actions warranted.
C) Respect toward players, officials, spectators, and facility staff is always required.
D) Only designated team captain can approach the ref stand or speak to officials about clarification of a call.
8. League Policies
1) Rosters
A) Teams must submit rosters prior to the first match played week 1. All rosters are considered final at the start of first match week 4.
B) Substitute players must check in with the official before entering play.
C) After the start week 4 scheduled match, any roster changes must be submitted to the Life Time Volleyball Coordinator for approval.
2) Forfeits
A) Minimum of four players required to start a match. After 10 minutes past match time, a forfeit may be declared. 3 players will be considered the front row. 1player will be considered back row (last player that completed serve or current server).
B) Minimum of five players must be on the court after 10 minutes past match start time, a forfeit may be declared.. 3 players will be considered in the front row. 2 players will be considered back row. (last 2 players that completed serve or current server and player that served before current server)
C) Late players will be added to the end of the service rotation for the remainder of the active set and may take court after current point is awarded. Teams must keep correct service rotation for the remainder of the set.
3) Safety & Injuries
A) Play stops immediately for any injury.
B) Players are responsible for managing their own physical health.
9. Self-Officiated Match Requirements (Team Refereeing Responsibilities)
In matches teams are responsible for officiating, each refereeing team must supply a full officiating crew to ensure accuracy, fairness, and consistent match flow. All officials are expected to uphold neutrality, apply rules consistently, and maintain a professional standard of conduct.
Required Officiating Crew -Each refereeing team must provide the following officials:
1) Up Referee (R1)
Serves as the primary official.
Stands on the referee stand.
Oversees play, including ball-handling calls, net faults, center line violations, rotation faults, and general rule enforcement.
Signals start of rally and awards points.
Has final authority on all judgment decisions.
2) Down Referee (R2)
Positioned opposite the R1 at floor level.
Monitors the net, center line, player positions, substitutions, and libero exchanges.
Assists the R1 with calls the up referee cannot see.
Communicates discreetly with the scorekeeper and officiating crew.
3) Two Line Judges
One line judge is positioned at each corner. diagonal to the R1. Flags are not required.
Responsibilities:
Call in/out on their assigned lines.
Signal touches, antenna faults, and foot faults on the serve.
Maintain consistent attention to the play.
4) Scorekeeper
Must accurately track the score throughout the match.
Records points, substitutions, timeouts, and libero replacements (if applicable).
Communicates score discrepancies to R2 immediately.
Ensures the official score sheet or scoring device is complete at the end of the match.
5) Expectations for Self-Refereeing
The refereeing team must report on time and remain for the full match.
Officials must execute duties impartially, regardless of personal relationships or standings.
If an officiating error occurs, the R1 has final say in correcting or confirming the call.
All teams must respect the decisions made by the self-ref crew.
6) Match Administration
A) Before the Match
§ Captains and R1 conduct coin toss to determine serve/receive or side.
§ Lineups submitted 5 mins prior to opening whistle.
B) Timeouts
Two timeouts per set (30 seconds each).
Time outs will not be permitted after the 40 minutes of a match.
No additional technical timeouts unless noted.
This form is intended to ensure clear and fair play guidelines. Items are subject to change, and some items are assumed to be general knowledge standards of play.
Contact Information
For league questions, schedule updates, or administrative needs:
Life Time League Coordinator
Jeff Hall
email
jhall2@lt.life
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