Match and Forfeit Times:
Matches will begin 10 minutes from the conclusion of the preceding match. Warm-ups may not begin more than 25 minutes ahead of the scheduled match time unless agreed upon by both teams. Wave start times will not be moved up. Subsequent rounds and bracket play matches will be moved up whenever time allows. At the start time, if teams are not ready to play, the opposing team will be awarded one point per minute. After ten minutes, the first game will then be forfeited. The second game and match will also be forfeited after an additional 10 minutes.
Work Team Assignments:
First official will be provided for all matches. Each team is responsible to provide: 1 down official, 2 lines people, 1 official scorekeeper, a libero tracker and 1 person for flip score. You are responsible for your own whistles.
If you are late for your officiating assignment, the same penalties apply as to match and forfeit times. All penalties will be carried over to the following day if necessary. Please check closely to be sure you know the schedule. If you are uncertain please ask the tournament director at your site. On time means the start of warmups, not match start time.
Any team that intentionally skips their work assignment or intentionally forfeits a match may be subject to more severe penalties.
It is required that a coach or other adult team representative remains in the game area during team officiating assignments. No food or drink will be allowed on the work table.
No cell phones or electronic devices allowed at the work table. If a player(s) is found to be using a cell phone while working at the table the official or tournament director may sanction that team up to a 10 point penalty which would be applied to that team’s next match.
Format:
1. Match play – best 2 out of 3 games. First 2 games to 25; deciding game if necessary to 15. No cap on any game. A few divisions may utilize 3 out of 5 matches or 3 sets to 25.
2. Warm-ups (2-4-4) – 2 minutes shared ball handling, 4 minutes each team hitting and serving. Absolutely no ball handling by the team that is off. Off teams are required to help shag for the team that is hitting. Teams refusing to do this will be given a red card prior to the start of the match.
3. Coin flip prior to match will determine side and serve.
A. Exceptions to AAU Rules
Playing with less than 6 players is allowed.
• For 12 & under they will not need a ghost player. They will rotate their 5 players with no penalty and loss of serve.
• For all other age divisions they will need to use the ghost player. When the ghost player is front row there will be only 2 front row players. When the ghost player serves it will be a side out and point to the opposing team.
B. 12 & Under Division Step in Rule
This is a “Spirit of the game rule” and is intended to promote more rallies. It is not intended to give a serving advantage to any player. Coaches are strongly encouraged to emphasize to not use the step in rule with players that have the ability to serve from behind the end line.
• Players must be in front of the end line when the referee beckons for serve.
• The step in line will be marked with a hash line that is 2 meters in from the end line. Player may not go over the step in line.
• No jump serving using the step in line.
• If a player scores 4 points in a row they must serve from behind the end line for the remainder of that term of service.
• It is at the referees discretion to move a player back behind the end line if it appears that a team is misusing the step in rule to gain an advantage.
• This is a power league rule only- not for tournaments.