HIGHLIGHTED PLAYING RULES & REGULATIONS
We will follow the AAU Beach Volleyball Tour guidelines. Which will be conducted under the current AAU Code and the playing rules of USA Volleyball. Modifications of the USA Volleyball rules may be implemented that are beneficial to the participants in the defined age groups.
Net Heights
Net Height: Boys 8' - U20, U
Net Height: Boys 7' - U12, U10
Net Height: Girls 7'4 - U20, U18, U16, U14
Net Height: Girls 7' - U12, U10
Playing Court:
Short Court
All Divisions: 16 m x 8 m (52'6" x 26'3
Beach courts do not have a centerline. Players can go under the net, as long as they do
not interfere with play on the other side.
JUNIOR BEACH AGE REQUIREMENTS
Age Groups for Volleyball in 2010;
In 2010 Beach Age Divisons for USAV and AAU Junior programs will match the indoor age requirements. International Beach Rules go by the year you were born.
2010 Age Divisions (Boys & Girls)
18:U - Born on or after September 1, 1991
16:U - Born on or after September 1, 1993
14:U - Born on or after September 1, 1995
12:U - Born on or after September 1, 1997
10:U - Born on or after September 1, 1999
Tournament Format:
All tournaments will utilize pool play followed by playoffs. Teams are guaranteed a minimum of three games. Most tournament games will be a single game in pool play with best of three formats in brackets and playoff competition. This is to ensure the pacing and completion of the tournament for all teams involved. Teams are expected to officiate and score assigned matches on their schedule. Playoff officiating teams are assigned for the first round, after this, the losing team must officiate the next match on their court or assigned court before dismissal.
AAU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS FORMAT
U10 DIVISION: Single Day Tournament; Pool Play followed by Single-Elimination
Playoffs U16/U14/U12 DIVISIONS: Two Day Tournament; Two Rounds of Pool
Play followed by Singe-Elimination Playoffs Not All Teams will advance to Day
2 U18 DIVISION: Modified Double-Elimination; One or Two Day Format
depending on the number of teams. Full matches are played.
AMERICA'S CHALLENGE/AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES/BEST OF THE
BEACH Two Day Format; All teams compete on both days. Full matches. Day 1
Pool Play followed by Bracket Play on Day 2
Deciding on who has their choice of serve or side:
Serve and side can be determined by rock-paper-scissors, or ball roll to sideline of court. Winning team gets their choice of side or serve.
Scoring:
Rally Scoring: Points are earned on each play.
Pool Play: 1 Game to 25 (switch sides on mutiples of 5). (Except in a two day tournament)
Bracket Play: 2 games to 21 (switch sides on multiples of 7) with 3rd game to 15 if necessary (switch sides at multiples of 5)
Single Elimination for all age levels in Bracket Play (except in a two day tournament)
Serving:
Players can serve Underhand, Overhand, Jump Serve, Side Arm
But all contact with the ball must be made with out crossing/touching the base line. (except when jump serving, the players feet must leave the ground behind the base line and contact with the ball must be made in the air before his feet land inside the base line)
Players have 10 secs to get ready for a serve
Server must call the score before serving to acknowledge they are ready to serve and confirm their opponents are ready to receive the serve..........If the receiving team is questioning the score, or is not ready they must have their hand up with palm facing the server.
Players may not take the serve with open hands, double contact, or lift........................................................ (hands must be together tighly through the completetion of the pass-or it will be called)
When receiving a serve, players must "bump" the ball, or receive with hands together.
Let Serve is Permitted (ball can make contact with the net on the serve)
Players must alternate serve, if a player serves out of rotation, they lose their serve, but no point is earned.
Block counts as a contact(same player can make the second contact off the block)
No Open hand dinks or directional dumping with fingertips(fingers must be tight, or bent so the knuckles are directing the ball)
When serving, a player may toss the ball only once, at any age level.
Players may not "set" the serve or free ball
Hand Sets: A "down ball" may be taken as a double contact without a violation.
( a player making an attack with feet off the ground is considered a hard driven/down ball for our juniors program- this rule will vary by area)
Hand set balls must be completely clean-(this rule will vary by area.It is recommended that you forearm pass your sets).
Players handling the ball must set the ball in direction they are facing or directly behind them (shoulders and hips squared to target) when returning the ball over the net.
Officiating Duties:
All teams entered will officiate games.
There will be staff on hand to help those new at officiating beach volleyball.
Primary Player Referee Duties:
Keep score
Record results in pool sheet
Help with serving order
Help settle disputes
(Playing teams should call their own violations, and call out the score).
Any competition disputes are first settled between the teams, then to the referee, if the dispute is not solved, then the teams should ask a tournament official a the tent.
Parents and spectators and not allow to speak to the officiating team, or officiate.
Parents and Coaches:
Only players involved in the game are allowed to be inside of the court playing area.
Parents and coaches are not allowed to warm up players on the playing court
Parents and Coaches are not allowed to officiate, or sideline coach(or keep official score).
PARENTS ARE TO BE SEEN AND SUPPORTIVE, BUT ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE HEARD COACHING OR
OFFICIATING.
Only players can call timeouts-if they chose to speak to anyone besides their parnter , they must level the playing area to communicate.
PARENTS AND COACHES CAN COMMUNICATE WITH PLAYERS DURING TIMEOUTS ONLY!
This is a fun learning experience for players.
Most players will settle disputes, honestly, fairly and quickly without adult input.
The team officiating duties are lined out in the tournament format that each pool will
receive.
Coaches are used to help teach the game
Coaching can take place during time-outs, (each team gets 2 time outs that can be used together or individually. 30 sec. sand wipe offs are allowed on the court without coaching communication.
Coaches may only have contact with their athletes during these time out moments off the court.
Coaches may not confront the opponents or player officials assigned to matches.
Team coaches must register as an official coach with the tournament director and must have an AAU membership
Coaches cannot walk around the court giving hand signals. Coaches must be outside of the playing area in a team-designated area where they can meet during time outs.
Coaches need to reframe from using confusing language that could be interpreted as coaching by spectators.
Outside of positive general comments, coaches are expected to remain quite during playing time.
If a parent or coach is atempting to miss use the rules, they will be asked to stay on the board walk. If they continue to disregard the rules they will be asked to stay 100 ft. from the event area.
Score Sheets used
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