JAM rules for Volleyball - Beach 4s (Recreational)

MIXED BEACH VOLLEYBALL League

Social Rules and Regulations

Captains are required to read the general Intramural Rules and Eligibility.

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.

TEAMS

Teams are Mixed-Gender, 4on4 games.

Minimum of 4 players per team.
At least 1 woman or gender minority and 1 man or gender minority players must be in play on the court at all times
If a team cannot produce at least 2 players by the beginning of the game, abiding by the roster minimums, they forfeit the entire match (so get there early!)

CAPTAINS

Being a captain is a lot of fun, but still is a big responsibility. It is their job to keep and maintain the “socialness” of the game with their players. We look to the captains to be their team’s leader in all aspects. This includes, but not limited to: communicating with teammates with updated game changes, ensure no personal items are left behind at games, equal and fair playing times for players, ensuring all the balls are put back on the line… Club staff will communicate with captains and it is the responsibility of the captains to then pass on the info to their players. Captains should be supersocial, well organized, accountable, and a natural leader.

STAFF

• To coordinate and run the league, our staff will be available at all times to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask.

SPORTSMANSHIP

• We are all adults, and JAM expects all participants to act like it. Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in that player being ejected from the game. An ejection may result in further suspension from participation in current and / or future Club sports. An ejected player(s) is required to leave the premises immediately – refusal to leave the premises may result in a team forfeit and / or increased length of suspension.

REFS
• ALL GAMES WILL BE SELF-OFFICIATED. Captains are responsible for recording the results of their game. Our staff will provide constant reminders with regards to this process.

RULES - COMMON FAULTS IN PLAYING THE BALL: (SIDE OUT)
• Four hits
• Catch/throw.
• Double contact; hits ball twice or ball contacts various parts of body in succession.
• No “prolonged contact” between the player and the ball, otherwise known as a lift. The contact should continue in one fluid motion and the ball should not come to rest at any time in that motion.

SERVING
• A legal serve is one that crosses the net and is either touched by an opposing player or lands within the opposing team’s area of the court within the boundary lines. A serve that makes contact with the net and carries over to the opponent’s side of the net is a live serve and must be returned.

• The server may not step on or over the end line until the ball has been contacted. The width of the service area is from sideline to sideline. The depth of the service area is infinite.

• After each side out, players must rotate from the front right to back right position. Substitutions can ONLY be made at this point in the rotation. The substitute is now the server.

PLAYING THE BALL
• There is no gender based hitting rules. There must be at least 1 woman or gender minority and 1 man or gender minority players playing at all times.

• A defensive block does not count as one of the allowable contacts. A player may reach over the net to block a ball if:

a.)- Any portion of the ball breaks the plane of the net.
b.)- After the offense has come in contact with the ball on the third attempt.

• The serve may not be blocked or spiked.
• Players can return the serve by:

                a. Bump pass
                b. Clasping their hands together
                c. A closed fist
                d. A set (AS LONG AS THE BALL IS NOT CAUGHT OR CARRIED)
• Contact of the ball when spiking is legal only if a portion of the ball is in contact with the plane of the net or on the hitter’s side of the net. Hitter may follow through over the net after legal contact.
• The ball must be cleanly hit when spiking with an open hand. Guiding or carrying is illegal.
• *A carry is any use of an open hand(s) while making contact with the ball that is not in a firm manner.

• The ball can contact any number of body parts down to, and including the foot.

COURT LAYOUT

• Out of bounds is the area outside the designated court line, (some facilities may also have “antennas” attached to the net, at these facilities the “antennas” will be considered out of bounds as well). The line is in bounds.
• A player may touch but not completely cross over the center line with their foot.

SCORING:

• All games are rally scoring.

• In the “rally” game, points will be awarded on both the service side and the receiving side (ex. Server hits ball into the net, point and serve go to the opposing team).

• Games are up to 18 points (win by 2) or first to 21, whichever comes first.

* YOU MUST READ & AGREE TO EVERYTHING ON THIS PAGE BEFORE PLAYING ANY SPORT WITH US*

Player Safety & Privacy Disclaimer

Please note that all the sports and events we play here at JAM have risks associated with them and you are fully responsible for looking after yourself. Also, please look after each other. These sports sessions are social and are not led by a qualified instructor. Please consult your doctor if you're unsure whether you're fit enough to be taking part in these sports, as even a sociable beginner sport’s game can be demanding. All games are to be friendly and not taken seriously, so please don't charge at each other and avoid aggressive behavior. If you're looking for a hard, competitive league to let your aggression out or to show off then JAM is not for you. We want to have fun and keep it fun. All of our players must be able to play their sports in safety. Inconsiderate or dangerous players will be banned at JAM’s discretion.

Please be aware that you are responsible for warming up before playing any sport and cooling down & stretching afterwards. Those wearing glasses are advised to consider wearing contact lenses, and those wearing watches, earrings, jewelry, and other valuables MUST remove them before playing. Fingernails MUST be trimmed short at all times. In wet weather, please dry your shoes & be careful when running on court to prevent slipping. The only footwear permitted is non-marking sports shoes. You are responsible for ensuring that your shoes are appropriate for the sports you play. Please turn all mobile phones off. If you really must take an urgent call then please leave the sports hall so that you don't disturb the other players.

Inconsiderate players will be banned at JAM’s discretion. If you bring spectators / friends then you are responsible for them & their behavior.
No smoking at any of the sports halls or their grounds. No alcohol, no drugs. No eating in the sports hall. Make sure that your valuables are well protected in a bag so that they aren't damaged if a stray ball hits it. Don't leave your valuables in the changing rooms. JAM is not responsible for your personal items. Bring them into the sports hall & find a suitable protected place to put them. By playing any sports with JAM, you must accept full responsibility for damage and loss to yourself and your property.

JAM also stresses not to drink and drive. JAM and its partnered bar is not responsible for your actions and/or damages resulting thereof. You drink and drive at your own risk. Don’t break the law; call a cab, walk, or designate a sober driver for the night.
JAM, its partners, and sponsors will not be held responsible for any incidental and/or consequential damages incurred from participating. You play and socialize at your own risk.
It is understood that your participation means you have read, understood, and will abide by these rules
JAM Rules and Disclaimers can be found on our website, at event and/or games, and by calling us at the number bellow.
The bottom line: we’re not taking any responsibility for you, your stuff, your friends, or your actions. So, be on your best behavior, don’t break anything, and you should be good to go….otherwise we’ll be forced to call your mom.
Pictures and videos - JAM will be taking pictures and videos at the games and the bar. You authorize JAM to take pictures and videos with you in them. These pictures and videos are the sole property of JAM and can be used as we wish. (Don’t be scared! We just make fun slideshows and video highlights for our website for you to share with friends and for us to entice more people to join the club)
By paying and playing, you’ve accepted to follow these rules and regulations and have acknowledged that you are 18 years of age or older.