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Tournament Rules

The basic rules below are established by the American Wallyball Association (click on link www.wallyball.com ). You are encouraged to review other basic information provided at their website (e.g., playing at the net). The Association’s interpretations of the rules are provided in the official Wallyball Rulebook.
www.Fairfax.Wallyball.com tournament adopts the basic rules with some exceptions, as appropriate, for different levels. Our official rules have been developed over the past few years in a consensus process and will be updated and provided to all before each tournament. Of particular importance are two safety-related rules that everybody at all levels should follow to avoid injuries:

A. Do not step on or cross the median line
B. Do not touch the net


# Basic Rules (from www.wallyball.com) Remarks
1 Service area is 3 feet from each end of the court.
2 Game ends at 15,18 or 21 points, and a team must win by 2 points.
3 Time outs called by captains only at the end of point played.
4 Limit: 2 time outs, 30 seconds each per game.
5 If more than 2 time outs are called then other team is awarded point or side out.
6 A 5-minute injury time out can be awarded to the team with the injury by captains/referee.
7 Two substitutions per game allowed. Substitutes will enter in the position they are substituting. An injured player returning will go back to his/her original position.
8 Coin toss will determine first service or choice of court side. Second game service to other team. Third game if necessary will need another coin toss.
9 Out of bounds is when a ball while crossing the net hits the ceiling, back wall of opponent’s side (not your side) or two walls consecutively on service, volley or block
10 Ceiling and back wall on own side is in bounds if own player touches it.
11 Server cannot spike or block in (4) four person play. (Four Person).
12 If sever catches the ball on service toss, the sever can replay the serve.
13 The service must be a clean contact with the ball. Pushing the ball or rolling the ball off the fingers (paint brush) is not allowed. Underhand serves may hit the wall, but overhand serves should not hit any walls.
14 Service order must be kept prior to serving.
15 If a ball on 1st or 2nd hit goes into the gallery, a replay is awarded.
16 If the ball is only partly across the net, and the opponent hits it, it is good.
17 Touching the net is not allowed by players, unless the ball is driven into the net and the net hits the player.
18 In the attack, the player must contact the ball before the ball has completely crossed over the net.
19 Blocker's can reach over the net to block, provided the other team has made it’s third contact of the ball.
20 The opponent cannot block the set. If any part of the ball has crossed the vertical plane, a free ball is in effect and both teams are entitled to it.
21 If two opposing players touch the net simultaneously the point is replayed.
22 A ball crossing below the net across the vertical plane can be played back by your side it is not over (3) three hits.
23 A ball on the vertical plane above the net is open to both sides.
24 A Ball passing through the side openings of the net on the 1st or 2nd contact is replayed.
25 A double hit is only allowed on a block, or the return of a hard driven hit.
26 If a ball is touched on a block, the team still has 3 hits and the blocker can make the any of these hits.
27 Contacting two or more walls is allowed only by the team in possession of the ball on their own side, provided a player on that team touches the ball first. The ball must also be touched by another player before going over on multiple wall hit.
28 Holding, pushing, scooping, lifting or carrying the ball is not allowed, it must be a clean hit.
29 Holding the ball at the top of the net by both sides is a replay.
30 If two players on the same team, hit the ball simultaneously, it counts as one hit two hits and either player can play the third and final hit.
31 No climbing or using the walls or players assisting each other to gain height at the net.
32 A ball can hit the back wall and over the net directly (when being played by your side), but if two walls are touched, another player must touch it before going over the net.
33 If a ball spins across to the opponent’s side and back to yours on the 1st or 2nd hit, you can play your 2nd or 3rd hit. If it is on the 3rd hit that it spins back, loss of pint or side out occurs.
34 An open hand dink of the ball is illegal, it must be a paint brush hit, a clean hit, closed fist, knuckle, cobra shot or soft spike.
35 A ball can not contact below the waist.
36 Rude conduct constitutes a warning, two penalties means expulsions.
37 On a block, if two players touch the ball, the teams still has 3 hits.
38 On a spike return, a double hit is allowed on the first player (e.g., hand and body), if the player makes two attempts or the 2nd player double hits the ball, that would be a double hit and a fault.
39 Blocking, Spiking or attacking a serve is Illegal.
40 We hold these tournaments to test our skills in a competitive but safe and friendly environment. The captains are responsible for controlling temper tantrum. Foul language and in-your-face attitude (if not mitigated by the Captain [ask player to take a break]) will result in a loss of 3 points for first offense and ejection of the player from the tournament on second offense.