Rules - Beach Volleyball

GAME SET UP

GAME LENGTH	Each match is a best of 3 games format. The first two games are rally-point scoring to 25 points, the first team to 25 wins. The third game is rally-point scoring to 15 points, the first team to 15 wins. If a match concludes early, the teams can continue to play, but the score of the fourth game will not be recorded.
SCHEDULING	Match-ups will be posted on the league schedule. Teams will play multiple games per game night.
OFFICIALS	All games are self officiated.
TEAM "COACHES"	A team is entitled to a maximum of two (2) non-dressed personnel (players or coaches) on the sidelines during a game. Suspended players cannot be on the sideline while under suspension. All non-dressed personnel are held to the same standards of behaviour as players in our code of conduct and in relation to alcohol/substance use. Any non-dressed personnel in violation will be banned for the season after a single offence.
RINGERS / EXTRA PLAYERS DURING REGULAR SEASON	LUG Permits the use of extra players during the regular season in order to maintain a competitive level of play. All extras should be of similar skill level to the league they are playing. Teams should follow the How to Call up a player process when doing so.
RINGERS / EXTRA PLAYERS DURING LEAGUE PLAYOFFS	Ringers / Substitute Players are NOT permitted. If a team is deemed to have players that are not on their official roster during playoffs, the game will be considered default for the accused team. Teams can request an ID check of a player to confirm that player is on their opponent’s registered LUG roster. If a request is made, it must be done either before the game, during the game, or within 10 minutes after the game has ended. After this time, it is no longer valid. Punishment for using illegal players may include but is not limited to one or more of the following; suspension of the player(s), removal of any goals scored or assisted goals, forfeit of the game, suspension of the Captain of record, and turning over of the final game score. Ultimately, it is up to the league to make the final discretionary judgement call on how to rule it.
JERSEYS / STATS	Teams are given LUG jerseys for the season. There are no stats kept by LUG for beach volleyball, but game scores will be added to the website by LUG onsite staff. Captains are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all game scores are accurate, and must address LUG Management with any questions.
COURT SETUP	LUG staff and players can work together to ensure the court is set up for game time.
WEATHER	Games are played in the rain, snow or shine. Games will be suspended when there is reasonable threat of lightning. Further information on weather suspensions can be found in the LUG Weather Policy.

PLAYING THE GAME

# OF PLAYERS	See the LUG Minimum Number of Players Required Policy. Maximum of 12 players per team.
COED LINE UP RULES	6 players per side Min 2 women must be on the court to play. In the event that only 1 women shows up, captains can agree to waive the default and play the game. If this occurs, the team must play 1 player less.
GENERAL RULES	A player may play the ball off any part of his/her body, including feet. A player may not make two consecutive hits of the ball, except where the player has contacted the ball on a block, and then the player may hit the ball a second time. Tips are allowed. However, teams can choose to play without this rule (i.e. tips not allowed and players use a closed fist instead). This must be decided on before the game start Players are to call balls ‘in’ or ‘out’ of bounds. If the ball touches any part of a court line, it is ‘in’. The ball must completely pass the line to be ‘out’. If there is a dispute, resume play by re-serving the ball with no point awarded. If a disagreement escalates, any disputes should be discussed amongst the two team captains only.
STARTING THE GAME	To determine who serves first, teams can either choose to play a rally game (minimum 3 crosses over the net), coin toss or rock-paper- scissors.
GAME FORFEITS & DEFAULTS	We take forfeits very seriously at LUG. Registration is a commitment and we expect teams to play all of their scheduled games and be respectful of their opponent's commitment and expectations. Failure to attend a scheduled game deprives other teams a portion of their season and is frustrating to everyone who traveled and took time from their personal schedules to be there. Refer to the Forfeits & Defaults policy for further information and applicable sanctions.

standings AND DIVISIONS

DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE	Teams/Free Agents will be placed into divisions initially based upon their submitted registration, skill level, and position. League administration reserves the right to move a team (or player) to a higher or lower division based on; Overall and/or individual Player skill level Win/loss record Age of players Any other statistical data This rule is applicable at any time during the season.
STANDINGS	Win = 2 points Tie/Shootout/OT Loss = 1 point Loss = 0 points
TIE BREAKERS	1. Points 2. Win % 3. Head to Head 4. Point Differential 5. Wins 6. Coin Flip In the event more than two teams are tied, the above process is followed until one or more teams are removed and the process begins again with the remaining teams. This is followed until only one team is remaining.
PAYMENT POLICY	LUG holds the right to take disciplinary action on teams that have not fulfilled the full balance of team fees 2 weeks after the first game is played. LUG Teams are expected to pay the full amount designated to each league regardless of rostered players.
SKILL LEVEL - PLAYERS	Teams will be assigned to divisions by skill level based on total number of teams and their performance in the initial few games.

CODE OF CONDUCT

EXPECTATION AT ALL LUG EVENTS (GAME AND NON-GAME RELATED)

Outside of game play, all players are expected to live up to a standard Code of Conduct. The LUG Code of Conduct includes some basic rules for participating in the league and being present at games and LUG events. These common sense rules are extremely important and any violation or failure to follow these rules will result in player or team suspension and/or expulsion from LUG sports.

FACILITY BEHAVIOR

All players/coaches/fans/LUG affiliates are expected to respect all facility rules.

Use of profanity, slander, racial comments or any kind of inappropriate language is not permitted.
Groups/Individuals are responsible for any damage caused to the facility.
Garbage must be placed in bins provided. This includes any facility change rooms.
Spitting/Chewing tobacco products is strictly prohibited in all areas.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be refused entry and or removed from the premises.
Possession and/or consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited and includes the change rooms, fields, stands, and parking lots.
Smoking/Vaping of any kind is prohibited on the field or in the change rooms.

SUSPENSIONS

DISCIPLINARY ACTION	LUG Sports reserves the right to impose disciplinary action against any player deemed to have broken the rules and regulations of the league including but not limited to suspension and expulsion with ZERO refund.
SUSPENDED PLAYERS / TEAMS	No one is allowed to play on any team in the league while on suspension from another team. Captains are ultimately responsible for notifying their players of any suspensions. Suspension from the regular season will carry over to the playoffs and future seasons. Suspended players are not permitted on the Player’s bench. Any player knowingly participating in a League game while under suspension will automatically have their teams’ points removed for that game and the suspension length will be doubled (at minimum). If the Team Rep knowingly permits a suspended or ineligible Player to participate in a League game, the Team Rep and the team will face disciplinary action.
SUSPENSIONS - GAME PLAY INFRACTIONS	Any penalty incurred that carries an automatic suspension cannot be appealed. LUG Management will work with the Game Officials to determine any suspensions administered from actions in game play.
SUSPENSIONS - NON-PLAYING INFRACTIONS	Any infractions to the LUG Code of Conduct that occur away from the field of play will receive an automatic suspension with potential further action taken by LUG Management: Alcohol: All alcohol is prohibited from being brought into facilities. This includes dressing rooms, the parking lot, benches, stands, and any other not mentioned facility premises. Any alcohol seen on benches will result in an additional suspension due to the complete disregard for the rules. Player with Alcohol = 1 game suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Team with Alcohol - 1 game team suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Benches - 2 game team suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Vaping & Smoking: Smoking or vaping is prohibited inside facilities. Player = 1 game suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Abusive Behaviour: LUG has a zero tolerance for any abuse or harassment towards or by any LUG participant, game official or spectator. All incidents should be reported to LUG Management by completing an Incident form. Submitted incidents will be assessed using the Discipline and Complaints Policy and a minimum of a two game suspension will be applied. Any player determined to have been involved in an act of racism or hate will be removed from the league. Facility Damage: Any team found to have damaged the facility in any way will receive an automatic 3 game suspension. If there is damage to the facility that you are made aware of, please take photos and complete a LUG Incident Form. Fan Behavior: All actions of the fans are attributed to the teams on the ice. Please ensure your guests behave and follow the above rules. Any incidents created by fans may result in a Fan Ban for your division. Teams found to have brought fans to the rink to party or drink will receive suspensions.
FIGHTING FULL TIME PLAYER	Fighting is NOT permitted in LUG games and carries the following automatic suspensions. These suspensions are not eligible for appeal. FIRST INFRACTION Major Penalty & ejection from game. * Serious offences may result in subsequent suspensions or disciplinary actions. Any call up player that is assessed a fighting infraction will be ineligible for any further games in the season. SECOND INFRACTION** Those involved in multiple fighting majors in a single season may be suspended and/or removed from the league. Each case will be evaluated on a case by case basis by league management.
FIGHTING CALL UP PLAYER NOT REGISTERED IN LEAGUE	Any call up player that is not a full time registered player with LUG in the current season will automatically be ineligible for all future games for the remainder of the season.
BENCH BRAWLS	Any team involved in a bench brawl will receive an automatic 1 game suspension. The situation will also be reviewed for further suspensions to individuals and the team above this. Both teams will receive a default for the game in which the brawl took place.
REMOVAL FROM GAME - DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIOUR	Any Player or Team Official who engages in verbal or non-verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language) shall be immediately removed from the game and be suspended according to Discipline and Complaints Policy (add link). There will be no tolerance for this type of behaviour and LUG Management will be very harsh with their assessment of suspensions. Should the Player who committed the offense not be discovered, the team representative will be automatically and indefinitely suspended pending a review by LUG.
APPEAL PROCESS	A Team Captain, on behalf of the suspended player, may appeal a suspension of three (3) games or more by filing a written submission to LUG Management and paying a $75 review fee. The appeal letter must be submitted to LUG Management within three (3) days of the suspension's issue and the fee must be received before any appeal will be considered. A suspension appeal may only be made by the Team Captain. The letter must outline the basis for the appeal (eg Player's penalty history, comparable suspension length for similar infraction, etc). Upon receipt of the appeal letter and review fee, the appeal will be reviewed by LUG Management. The following information may be considered relevant to any review: - Player suspension and penalty history relevant to LUG league play in any sport - Game Officials' reports - LUG onsite staff and Commissioner reports - All information gathered in the initial suspension review