LAKES REGION LEAGUES

OFFICIAL HANDBOOK

Outdoor Co-Ed Volleyball

Effective Date: March 19, 2026
Season: 2026 Outdoor Season

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Team Composition and Eligibility
2.0 Equipment and Playing Area
3.0 Match Format
4.0 Serving
5.0 Playing the Ball
6.0 Back-Row Play
7.0 Rotation and Positioning
8.0 Faults and Side-Outs
9.0 Scoring and Standings
10.0 Officials and Conduct
11.0 Forfeits
12.0 League-Specific Interpretations
13.0 League Authority
14.0 Definitions
15.0 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.0 TEAM COMPOSITION AND ELIGIBILITY

1.1 Team Size

1.1.1 A team shall consist of a maximum of six (6) players on the court.
1.1.2 A minimum of four (4) players is required to start a match.

1.2 Gender Requirements

1.2.1 Each team must have at least one (1) player of each gender on the court.
1.2.2 A team with only one (1) player of a required gender may compete with no more than five (5) players.
1.2.3 Failure to meet gender requirements shall result in forfeit.

1.3 Team Rosters

1.3.1 Teams must maintain a roster of eight (8) to twelve (12) players.
1.3.2 Only rostered players are eligible to participate.
1.3.3 Use of non-rostered or borrowed players is prohibited.
1.3.4 Violations shall result in forfeit.

1.4 Participation and Substitution

1.4.1 All rostered players present must participate unless injured.
1.4.2 Substitutions occur through the serving position only.
1.4.3 Rotation order must remain consistent throughout the set.

1.5 Late Arrivals

1.5.1 Late players may enter through the serving position only.
1.5.2 Players may not enter directly into the front row.
1.5.3 Entry is not permitted after fifteen (15) points, except for injury or opposing captain approval.
1.5.4 Matches shall begin at the scheduled time.

2.0 EQUIPMENT AND PLAYING AREA

2.1 Equipment

2.1.1 The league provides nets and official volleyballs.
2.1.2 Only league-approved balls may be used.

2.2 Court Dimensions

2.2.1 Courts measure approximately 30 feet by 60 feet.
2.2.2 Nets are set to co-ed height.

2.3 Boundaries

2.3.1 Boundary lines are in bounds.
2.3.2 Teams switch sides after each set.

2.4 Attack Line

2.4.1 A 10-foot attack line shall be enforced.
2.4.2 The line may be marked or imaginary.
2.4.3 Players must respect the line in good faith.

3.0 MATCH FORMAT

3.1 Structure

3.1.1 Matches consist of three (3) sets.
3.1.2 Each set is played to twenty-five (25) points.
3.1.3 A two (2) point margin is required, capped at twenty-eight (28).
3.1.4 All three sets are played.

3.2 Timing

3.2.1 Start times are official forfeit times.

3.3 Timeouts

3.3.1 Each team receives one (1) timeout per set.
3.3.2 Timeouts last sixty (60) seconds.

4.0 SERVING

4.1 Pre-Match

4.1.1 The home team calls the coin toss.
4.1.2 The winner chooses serve or side.

4.2 Execution

4.2.1 Service must occur within five (5) seconds.
4.2.2 Serves must be taken behind the end line.
4.2.3 Net serves that cross are live.

4.3 Service Faults

4.3.1 Faults include failure to cross, out-of-bounds, under-net, teammate contact, or foot fault.

5.0 PLAYING THE BALL

5.1 Team Contacts

5.1.1 Teams are allowed three (3) contacts.
5.1.2 A clear and obvious block does not count as a contact.
5.1.3 Serves may not be attacked or blocked above the net.

5.2 Legal Contact

5.2.1 Any body part may be used.

5.3 Net Play

5.3.1 Players may not reach over the net.
5.3.2 Contact must occur on the player’s side.

5.4 Simultaneous Contact

5.4.1 Counts as one hit.

6.0 BACK-ROW PLAY

6.1 Attacking

6.1.1 Back-row players may attack.
6.1.2 Jump must originate behind the 10-foot line.
6.1.3 Landing inside is permitted.

6.2 Blocking

6.2.1 Back-row players may not block.

7.0 ROTATION AND POSITIONING

7.1 Rotation

7.1.1 Teams rotate clockwise.

7.2 Positions

• 6 players: 3 front / 3 back

• 5 players: 3 front / 2 back

• 4 players: 2 front / 2 back or 3 front / 1 back

8.0 FAULTS AND SIDE-OUTS

8.1 Definition

8.1.1 A fault results in loss of rally.

8.2 Common Faults

• Ball out of bounds

• Failure to return

• Illegal contact

• Double contact

• More than three hits

• Illegal serve attack/block

• Net interference

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

• Carry / lift

9.0 SCORING AND STANDINGS

9.1 Scoring

9.1.1 Rally scoring is used.

9.2 Results

• Win: 2 points

• Tie: 1 point each

9.3 Standings

9.3.1 Determine playoff seeding.

10.0 OFFICIALS AND CONDUCT

10.1 Authority

10.1.1 Officials control the match.

10.2 Conduct

10.2.1 No arguing with officials.
10.2.2 Penalties include warning, ejection, suspension.

11.0 FORFEITS

11.1 Teams must meet minimum requirements.
11.2 Failure results in forfeit.
11.3 Double forfeit if both teams fail.

12.0 LEAGUE-SPECIFIC INTERPRETATIONS

• All body parts are legal

• Serves cannot be blocked or attacked

• Back-row rules enforced

• Late entry restrictions apply

13.0 LEAGUE AUTHORITY

13.1 The league may modify or interpret rules to ensure fair play.

14.0 DEFINITIONS

Attack Line: Boundary for back-row attacks (2.4, 6.1)
Back-Row Player: Player in back at serve (6.1)
Block: Net play not counting as hit (5.1)
Fault: Rule violation (8.0)
Forfeit: Loss due to non-compliance (11.0)
Rotation: Clockwise movement (7.1)
Side-Out: Change of serve (8.0)

15.0 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: Can we play without both genders?
A: No (1.2)

Q: Can we use non-rostered players?
A: No (1.3)

Q: Can a serve hit the net?
A: Yes (4.2)

Q: Can back-row players jump attack?
A: Yes, from behind line (6.1)

Q: Can you block a serve?
A: No (5.1)

Q: When can late players enter?
A: Before 15 points via serving position (1.5)

Q: Do all sets get played?
A: Yes (3.1)

Q: What if we don’t have enough players?
A: Forfeit (11.0)

END OF HANDBOOK