Pre-released for: August 1st, 2025
Previous Version: 2024-2025 Volleyball Rules (Boys)
10.9.1 General Guidelines
- 10.9.1-1 If a rule in the sport of volleyball is not specifically addressed or contained herein, NFHS (“Federation”) rules shall be applied.
- 10.9.1-1.1 DIAA, and/or DVOA guidelines may be referred to and applied in certain situations when deemed appropriate.
- 10.9.1-1.2 No coach or coordinator at the affiliate level shall alter, revise, or change any rules prior to, during, or after the conclusion of competition.
- 10.9.1-2 The CYM Sports Coordinator is the lead rules interpreter for the sport of volleyball within CYM Sports programming.
- 10.9.1-2.1 Interpretation of all CYM Sports rulings and governing rules for the sport of volleyball will be declared final by the CYM Sports Coordinator.
- 10.9.1-3 The CYM Volleyball Coordinator is the lead representative and organizer for the sport of volleyball within CYM Sports programming.
- 10.9.1-4 The Volleyball Ambassador is the lead advocate for all affiliate coaches within CYM Sports programming.
- 10.9.1-4.1 Head Coaches may suggest rule changes to the Volleyball Ambassador or CYM Volleyball Coordinator prior to or after season.
10.9.2 Administration of Volleyball
- 10.9.2-1 A team registration is required to consist of 9 participants minimum in order to compete in CYM Sports Volleyball.
- 10.9.2-1.1 A team may register less than 9, provided they meet the minimum + 1 required to field a team on the court, or a second team is formed to compete in competition.
- 10.9.2-2 Teams are placed in divisions in accordance with section 10.1 Universal Guidelines.
- 10.9.2-3 The listed home team on schedule will select their team bench upon arrival.
- 10.9.2-3.1 Teams are not required to change side of court/benches between sets, but must provide one responsible person to act as line judge.
- 10.9.2-3.2 Line judges are required to switch sides of the court between sets to promote fairness.
- 10.9.2-4 All matches must have a pre-match meeting conducted with Official(s), Head Coach and team captain(s).
- 10.9.2-4.1 The visiting team captain shall call the coin toss.
- 10.9.2-4.2 The winner of toss shall select to serve or receive.
- 10.9.2-4.3 Head coaches must provide an approved team roster that matches their CYM registration at the meeting.
- 10.9.2-5 Both teams shall warm up simultaneously.
- 10.9.2-5.1 All Varsity teams are granted 6-minutes for an individual team warm-up.
- 10.9.2-5.2 Warm-ups should visual show on the gym clock, if applicable.
- 10.9.2-6 Intermission between sets shall last no more than 3-minutes.
10.9.3 Equipment
- 10.9.3-1 All varsity and senior divisions will use standard weigh volleyballs, at 9.0-9.1 ounces.
- 10.9.3-1.1 All junior varsity divisions will use volleyballs that are featherweight or volleylite, at 7.0-7.1 ounces.
- 10.9.3-2 All volleyball nets shall stand at 7′ 41/8.
- 10.9.3-3 Kneepads are required for all levels with the exception of senior division, which is optional.
- 10.9.3-4 Jewelry around the neck or below the chin is prohibited on the field of competition, including warm-ups.
- 10.9.3-4.1 Stud or post earrings are permitted if secured to the body.
- 10.9.3-4.2 Medical alert medals and Religious medals are not considered jewelry, but must be secured to the body.
- 10.9.3-5 Body paint or glitter on hair, face, uniform or body is prohibited.
- 10.9.3-6 Head adornments are allowed, provided they are securely fastened and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents.
10.9.4 Competition
- 10.9.4-1 All matches will be best of three(3) sets.
- 10.9.4-1.1 Additional set after the match is won will be at the discretion of the official.
- 10.9.4-1.2 Additional set may not extend beyond 15 minutes prior to the start of the next scheduled match.
- 10.9.4-1.3 Teams are to report to the site of competition 15 minutes prior to the start of their match.
- 10.9.4-2 All scoring will be conducted by rally point rules.
- 10.9.4-2.1 The first two(2) sets of a match will be played to 25 points and must be won by two points.
- 10.9.4-2.2 The third set of a match will be played to 15 points and must be won by two points.
- 10.9.4-3 The visiting team must provide a scoreboard operator, and home team must provide a scorer whom will record in the home team scorebook.
- 10.9.4-3.1 The home team scorebook will be the official record of the match.
- 10.9.4-3.2 Both teams should keep a scorebook and compare scores throughout the game to ensure accuracy.
- 10.9.4-3.3 Game officials are not responsible for keeping score.
- 10.9.4-4 All scores will be submitted by assigned program coach in accordance with section 10.1 Universal Guidelines.
- 10.9.4-5 Each team is permitted two 1-minute timeouts per set.
- 10.9.4-6 Teams are limited to a maximum of 18 substitutions per team, per game.
- 10.9.4-6.1 A request for a substitution will not be recognized if made by anyone other than the head coach or the substitute entering the substitution zone.
- 10.9.4-6.2 Substitutions may be verbalized or signaled.
- 10.9.4-6.3 Players must remain in the same rotating order.
- 10.9.4-7 All varsity and senior divisions will utilize the 30′ service line from the net.
- 10.9.4-7.1 Players approved to “play-up” will not be exempt and may not move up to the 25′ line.
10.9.5 Postseason & Championships
- 10.9.5-1 Volleyball postseason(s) and Championship(s) are sponsored and sanctioned in accordance with section 10.1 Universal Guidelines.
- 10.9.5-2 Additional games are not permitted if a team wins a match after two(2) games during postseason.
10.9.6 Libero
- 10.9.6-1 The libero position is permitted for usage in all varsity and senior divisions.
- 10.9.6-1.1 Coaches are responsible for understanding all libero rulesets in accordance with volleyball rules to utilize the position in a match.
- 10.9.6-1.2 A libero tracker is required by all teams utilizing the position, and must be knowledgeable in the scoring procedures for libero.
- 10.9.6-1.3 If neither team has an appropriate libero tracker, the libero may not be used in the game and/or match.
- 10.9.6-1.4 The libero is not permitted at any level underneath varsity.
- 10.9.6-2 The injury rule applies to all Libero-approved divisions.
- 10.9.6-2.1 Teams may substitute during an injury time-out (even though a replay is called) for the libero replacement if the libero is injured or ill. This change allows for the immediate substitution of the libero replacement who may be playing out of position due to the injury to the libero. While a replay limits a team from substitution, when the replay is called due to an injury of the libero, a substitute is allowed for the libero replacement.
10.9.7 Related Policies: Junior Varsity
- 10.9.7-1 Junior Varsity divisions may have additional rulesets, based on competition level.
- 10.9.7-1.1 Division 1 for Junior Varsity will have a 25′ service line from the net, and may not violate such boundary.
- 10.9.7-1.2 CYM JV Divisions for C, Y, O & M may serve where they are comfortable, except for underhand serving which shall be within the 6′ hash marks. No foot faults will be called.
- 10.9.7-1.3 Officials have sole discretion to move a player back.
- 10.9.7-2 No player may serve more than five points in succession.
- In the event a server reached the limit, the players will rotate to allow the next player serve; while the opposing team will not rotate.
10.9.8 Related Policies: Boys’ Volleyball
- 10.9.8-1 Boys’ Volleyball participants for varsity may include 5th graders, provided that the athletic association representative has written consent from the parents or guardians and understands any and all risk; and attempts have failed to produce a junior varsity league sponsored by CYM Sports.
- 10.9.8-1.1 The CYM Office does not need to be informed, except for the purposes of a play-up date attached to the participant(s).
- 10.9.8-2 Junior Varsity for Boys’ Volleyball will be solicited prior to each spring season for interest.
- 10.9.8-2.1 In the event a JV league forms with CYM-sponsorship, all junior varsity volleyball rules will apply.
- 10.9.8-2.2 In the event a JV league fails to form, opportunities for clinics, practices, and scrimmages will be explored for the growth of boys’ volleyball in our program, and in our region.
- 10.9.8-3 Kneepads are highly recommended but not required for standard varsity boys’ volleyball participants.
- Kneepads are required by all standard junior varsity boys’ volleyball participants.