Sports Rules

CLICK HERE FOR VOLLEYBALL RULES || CLICK HERE FOR SOCCER RULES

VOLLEYBALL RULES:

Waivers: All players and participants must sign a waiver before playing their first game.
SportsmanshipGoal: Providing a safe and fun environment for the players.Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated

No swearing directly at another player or official
No intentional acts of violence (pushing, shoving or intentional physical contact)
No verbal threats or comments to instigate an altercation with any person

Player will be suspended immediately from play and the park, and further game suspensions may follow and will not necessarily include or be limited to the player.

If at anytime during a game if there are any concerns with the opposing team players, the team captain will address the issue with the other team captain with the presence of the official during a break or halftime. If the issue has not been resolved by the end of the game please forward any concerns to play@niagarasportandsocial.com

General Rules/Regulations

Time-outs are NOT permitted.
Games played are best 3 out of 5, no cap. Games to 21 with 5th game to 15. 5th game, teams switch sides at 8 points.
Play will continue in all weather conditions. When lightening is present please meet at Chippawa Park and league officials will give direction. Any concerns please call 289-686-PLAY.
Teams unable to meet minimum player requirements 15 minutes after scheduled start time will default their first game.
After 30 minutes after the scheduled start time if the team is unable to meet minimum player requirements they will forfeit their second game.
After 45 minutes after the scheduled start time if they are still unable to have the minimum player requirements they will forfeit the entire match (scores will be 21-0, 21-0, 21-0).
Players must play a minimum of 3 league games to play in the year end tournament. Players that are added to the roster after the first week of June will be not be provided with a T-shirt.

There is no limit to the number of players on a team. Extra subs/players can be used at anytime but must sign a waiver before playing.

The minimum on the court is as follows;

Beach 4’s

maximum 2 males, minimum 1 female
minimum players is 2 to avoid default (one male and one female or two females)

For example:

4 females
3 females and 1 male
2 females and 2 males
3 females
2 males and 1 female
2 females and 1 male
1 male and 1 female
2 females

Beach 6’s

maximum 3 males, minimum 1 female
minimum players is 2 to avoid default (one male and one female or two females)

For example:

6 females
5 females and 1 male
4 females and 2 males
3 females and 3 males
5 females
4 females and 1 male
3 females and 2 males
4 females
3 females and 1 male
2 females and 2 males
3 females
2 females and 1 male
1 female and 2 males
2 females
1 female and 1 male

Player may be borrowed from other teams if short only if agreed upon by both teams and official.

Court dimensions will be 9m x 9m on each side.
Start the game – paper, rock, scissors for choice of serve or side.
If a serve touched the net on the way over, the ball is in play.
A serve can not be blocked.
Official will call if the ball hit the line to the best of their ability with the assistance of players. If the ball touches any part of the line, it is in.
Official will ref the game to the best of their abilities without bias.
No center line for under the net exists, unless interferes with opposing team player or near play.
Deflection off the block is not considered a touch, three touches allowed.
The ball may be played off any part of the body.

SOCCER RULES:

Waivers: All players and participants must sign a waiver before playing their first game at http://www.niagarasportandsocial.com/waiver.PDF
Sportsmanship

Goal: Providing a safe and fun environment for the players.

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated
No swearing directly at another player or official
No intentional acts of violence (pushing, shoving or intentional physical contact)
No verbal threats or comments to instigate an altercation with any person

Player will be suspended immediately from play and the park, and further game suspensions may follow and will not necessarily include or be limited to the player.

Team captains are responsible for informing their team of the rules and also for enforcing them if their team is negligent in this regard.
Weather Policy:

Teams must report to their field regardless of weather conditions. Failure to report to the field in time of the start of the game will result in a default loss. Be prepared to play through poor weather (ie. rain, snow, etc) If poor weather causes the game to be stopped, teams will wait at least 10 minutes for the weather to pass (please take the necessary cover for safety). Play will resume after the poor weather passes. After the first half is completed, the game is eligible for a win or a loss in the standings. Therefore is the game is cancelled due to weather in the second half the score at that time will be final.

Game:

A match will consist of two 25 minute halves with a 2 minute break between halves. Time-outs are NOT permitted.
Players:

Players may be borrowed from other teams if short only if agreed upon by both teams and official.
Co-Ed Rules:

Teams are to play 6 players on the field (5 players and a goalie).
maximum 3 males, minimum 1 female
minimum players is 4 to avoid default

Substitutions:
We use the “Hi-5″ method for substitutions (meaning = you must touch the person you are substituting for when coming on or off the field.) ie. Giving them a Hi-5. The substitutions can be made on the fly except for the goalie, who can only be substituted at a time when play has been stopped.

Equipment:

Metal cleats are not allowed
Shin pads are not required, but are strongly recommended
Teams will change ends after each half and alternate the starting kick off of each half
A kick off will start the game and restart the game after a goal is scored
The player taking the kick off must kick the ball in a forward motion and must not touch the ball again until contact has been made by another player with the ball
A goal cannot be scored directly from the first touch of a kick off
The apposing team must be a least 15 feet away from the ball on a kick off, until the ball has been put into play
Balls that are out of play when the ball has crossed the side line will result in a throw-in. A throw-in must be done with both hands, with both feet on the ground and from behind the head; the thrower cannot play the ball again until it has been touched by another player
Balls are out of play when the ball has crossed the end line. If the defending player touched the ball last the result will be a corner kick to the offensive team. If an offensive player touched the ball last the result will be a goal kick from the ground within the goal area
Goalies are allowed to take the ball with their hands inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area. If the goalie uses their hands to play the ball outside the penalty area than a indirect free kick shall be awarded to the other team
Goalies are not allowed to take the ball with their hands if the ball has been thrown or kicked to them by their own team. An indirect free kick will also be awarded if the goalkeeper takes more than four steps while controlling the ball with their hands, before releasing it

Offside:

A player will be called offside when:

The offensive player is located behind the last defensive player closest to the goalie than the opponent without the ball while a team-mate of this player plays the ball forward into the offensive half of the field or if the ball is shot towards the net
The offside should be called when the kicker has released the ball and it is obviously intended for the offside player

A player will not be considered offside when:

They are in an offside position and the ball is not passed forward. Therefore, the player in the offside position is not part of the offensive play
You’re not offside when receiving the ball direct from a goal-kick, a corner-kick, or a throw-in
You’re not offside in your own half of the field
If a player is considered offside, the opposing team shall take an indirect free kick from the place where the infraction occurred

Slide Tackling:

Slide tackling is not allowed. An indirect free kick shall be awarded. An indirect free kick shall be awarded when an opposing player intentionally commits any of the following offences: kicks or attempts to kick an opponent; trips an opponent; jumps at an opponent; handles the ball; charges an opponent in as violent or dangerous manner; or if the goalkeeper picks up the ball when it has been passed to the goalie by their own team. All free kicks are to be indirect (meaning = that a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been touched by a player other than the kicker before going into the net. All indirect free-kicks are to be taken from the spot of the foul. This includes when the goalkeeper illegally plays the ball with their hands. The ball must be touched by 2 players ( the kicker and 1 other). All opposing players (defence) of the team taking the free kick must be at least 10 yards (large steps) away from the ball.

Corner Kick:

When the ball passes over the end line ( but not a goal) and was last touched by a member of the defending team, a member of the attacking team will take a corner-kick; the ball is placed within a 1 yard radius from the corner closest to where the ball went out of play; a goal may be scored directly from the corner kick. The defending team must stand at least t 10 yards away from the ball until in play; the kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

Goal Kick:

When the ball passes over the end line (but not a goal) and was last touched by a member of the attacking team, a member of the defending team will take a goal-kick; the ball is placed approx. 6 yards from the goal line on the side of the goal opening which is closest to where the ball went out of play; it must be received by someone of the same team outside of the penalty area ( or someone of the opposite team can intercept it anywhere) for it to be in play again; a goalkeeper shall not receive the ball into his/her hands from a goal-kick; the kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.

Penalty Kick:

A penalty kick ( which is a direct free kick) will be awarded anytime a foul (major or minor) is committed within the penalty area. The penalty shot shall be taken from the penalty mark located 12 yards (large steps) from the center of the end line within the goal. Remaining players must be at least 10 yards away behind the penalty mark. The goal keeper must stand ( without moving their feet) on their own goal-line, between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked; the kick must go forward and the kicker cannot touch the ball a second time.

Tie Game:

If at the end of the regulation time – there is a tie between the two teams. There will not be any overtime or shootouts during regular season games. Each team will receive one point for the tie game to be put towards their season standings. A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed the goal line.

Handball:

A handball occurs when the ball touches any part of your arm from top of shoulders to fingertips (except a goalkeeper within the penalty area).

Advantage Rule:

A handball does not need to be called if the ball (after being touched) goes to an opponent in their favour. A handball must be called if the ball goes off your arm to yourself or goes to your team-mate.

Cards:

1 Yellow Card = Warning resulting in a direct kick For infractions like: unsporting behaviour, shows dissent by word or action, delays the restart of the game, fails to stand the required distance for a corner kick or a free kick.
2 Yellow Cards in one game result in a Red Card
1 Red Card = Ejection from game. For infraction like: guilty of serious foul play, guilty of violent conduct, denies an opponent a goal by deliberately handling the ball, foul language or receives a second caution in the same match.
2 Red Cards in one season results in ejection from league.
*Fighting or responding to a fight in a violent meaner will result in ejection from league.