Tournament Rules
TSV tournaments follow standard USAV rules with certain clarifications and relaxed rules to make games easier and less contentious for players to ref.
Standard Outdoor Rules
Test Rule
For any doubles format, a block counts as a touch. For all other formats, a block does not count as a touch.
A net is a net
If you contact any portion of the net during play, it is a fault.
Continuation
When the ball is down, the play is over. No faults are to be called after the play is dead.
Finger action over the net
Set overs are considered illegal even if the player is at 6 or 12 with the net or if the set inadvertently drifts over the net. Redirecting a block is a legal play as long as the player does not have extended contact with the ball. The block must be a single continuous motion without catching the ball.
Double contact on the first ball
Any first ball (including serve receive) can be doubled as long as it is a single continuous attempt to play the ball and there is no fingertip action. Hands do not have to be together. Fingertip action on a non-hard-driven ball must be a legal contact (e.g., a clean hand set).
Hard-driven ball
Finger action (beach dig) is allowed for the first contact on a hard-driven ball. Hard-driven is defined as a ball you don't have time to think about.
Back-row attacks
For all reverse formats, a male player can attack the ball above the net if he jumps from behind the 3m line. If the male player is on or in front of the 3m line, a portion of the ball must be below the height of the net at contact, otherwise, it is a fault.
No courtesy rule
Any player can serve to any opposing player regardless of gender.
Court boundary
Entering any adjacent court that is scheduled for competition during play is a fault.
No centerline violations
If a player goes under the net during play, it is not a fault, unless it interferes with the other team's ability to play the ball.
Antennae
The standards (poles) are the antennae. If the ball touches or passes over the poles, it is out.
Time outs
A single one-minute time out per team per set is allowed.
Game-delay forfeiture
Any delay longer than 5 minutes creates a forfeiture of the current set, including those caused by injury. Tournament Director has the discretion to extend injury time-outs.
Standard Indoor Rules
Block as a touch
Block does not count as a touch in indoor formats.
A net is a net
If you contact any portion of the net during play, it is a fault.
Continuation
When the ball is down, the play is over. No faults are to be called after the play is dead.
Finger action over the net
Set overs are considered illegal even if the player is at 6 or 12 with the net or if the set inadvertently drifts over the net. Redirecting a block is a legal play as long as the player does not have extended contact with the ball. The block must be a single continuous motion without catching the ball.
Back-row attacks
For all reverse formats, a male player can attack the ball above the net if he jumps from behind the 3m line. If the male player is on or in front of the 3m line, a portion of the ball must be below the height of the net at contact, otherwise, it is a fault.
Guy/Girl contacts
There is no requirement for a specific number of touches for male or female players.
No courtesy rule
Any player can serve to any opposing player regardless of gender.
No rotation
Teams are not required to rotate positions on the court, but they do need to maintain a consistent serving order.
Court boundary
Entering any adjacent court that is scheduled for competition during play is a fault.
Centerline violations
If a player goes under the net during play, it is a fault, regardless of whether the player interferes with the other team's ability to play the ball.
Time outs
A single one-minute time out per team per set is allowed.
Game-delay forfeiture
Any delay longer than 5 minutes creates a forfeiture of the current set, including those caused by injury. The Tournament Director has the discretion to extend injury time-outs.