TOURNAMENT SEEDING INFORMATION
The following format will be used to seed MAISL Volleyball Tournaments.
#1 - Matches Won
#2 - Games Won
#3 - Head-to-Head Competition
#4 - Common Opponents
#5 - Coin Toss

2009 BOY’S VOLLEYBALL RULES

(Unless noted differently below - the MAISL Volleyball Leagues will comply with WIAA and National Federation Rules)

Two (2) Time-outs per game - One (1) additional if the game goes into OT

Roster Size:
6 Players will constitute a full team. A team may start with 5 players. If a 6th player arrives they must enter the game at the first legal opportunity. All players who may play must be listed on the official scorecards prior to the start of the match.

Match Length:
Matches will be scheduled for one (1) hour. This will include a warm-up (2 minutes min. - 5 min. max.) and up to 55 minutes of match play. A match will consist of a best of three (3) games to determine a winner. If a team wins the first two (2) games the final game will still be played. In case of ties total wins may be used in determining tournament seeding.

Scoring:
Rally Scoring for all grade levels
The first two (2) games will play to 25 points with a cap of 30 points
This means you must win by 2 points up to 30, or be the first team to reach 30. Example: If the score is 29 – 29, the next opponent that scores is the winner of the game even though they did not win by 2 points.
The third game will play to 15 points with a cap of 20 points.
This means you must win by 2 points up to 20, or be the first team to reach 20.

Each team is asked to keep score on their bench. Official score will be kept by the referee who will get coaches signatures at the end of the match. Officials will call in scores to a MAISL Representative.

Specific rules regarding play and service:
7th & 8th Grade League
High School rules
Overhand service allowed (NO do-over)
Must DROP ball if mis-tossed
All service must be from baseline
Set allowed on serve receipt

6th Grade League
Players may step up to a line 25’ back
from the net for overhand/underhand
service. One service do-over allowed per
service rotation (overhand only)

5th Grade League
All service will take place from a line 25’ back from the net
Underhand – One service do-over allowed per
service rotation (underhand only)
Overhand allowed – not recommended – no re-do

Tardiness - ALL Leagues
5 minutes - Forfeit Game #1
10 minutes - Forfeit Game #2
15 minutes - Forfeit match


Service Rule & Substitutions:
Teams are asked to keep track of their own and their opponents substitutions and compliance with the 5/3 serve rule. Using rotation instead of substitutions is OK (but same order must be used for entire game). 5 serve max rule will be in effect for 7th/8th grade league play. 3 serve max for 5th/6th grade.
5th/6th – Rotation only – no substitution unless there is an injury or ineligibility.
Coaches will be asked to supply the player numbers for each game to indicate which players are in each game if a team chooses not to rotate the whole team.
7th/8th - There will be unlimited substitution but a player must substitute for the same position (This is a player for player substitution - no matter where that player is in the rotation or their spot on the court).
Players may substitute into any position (including the service position)

MAISL will play a “Let Serve” for all grade levels.
A Let Serve is when the ball hits the net, continues over and is to be played by the receiving team.

MAISL will maintain its 3-serve maximum (5-serve maximum for 7th/8th) rule per player but in keeping with the true spirit of rally scoring we will not penalize a team with a side-out. If a player runs off 3 (5 for 7th/8th) consecutive serves, the serving team will keep serve but be required to rotate to the next server.

Games:
It is now mandatory that all matches will play three (3) games. By going to rally scoring time should not be an issue so all games will play. Since we use games won/lost as a tournament seed tiebreaker this will be to the advantage of all teams.

Playing Time:
The MAISL and Diocese of Madison Policy of a minimum of one quarter (1/4) of a game and/or match is still in place and must be adhered to. (This is the equivalent of playing the entire third game which goes to 15 points.)

(2003) RULE - Service Return –
5th/6th - Both hands must be together on return of serve (overhand or underhand return acceptable). When “hands apart” allowed there was a concern whether it was a set or a carry, this will make for a clear ruling by the Official.
7th/8th – An overhand set will be allowed on service if there is no slap (palms on ball), no lift and no rapid backward spin of the volleyball.

(2003) RULE - Roster Substitution 
Your team must submit a "Principal Verified Roster". If there is a substitution made to this roster a "Player Substitution Form" must be presented to the Official prior to the start of the game/match. This will be forwarded to the Program Commissioner with the scoresheets. Since we play in many venues on a given day a player can be moved up to another team for the entire day (even if there is more than one match) but can not play on their rostered team that day. If a player substitutes more than once in a season s/he will be moved to the team she is substituting for, through the end of the season.

Miscellaneous:
Players must play a minimum of 25% of each match.
Each team may be asked to supply a line judge at the opposite end of the court (must be over 16)
NO contact with the net will be allowed.
A foot in contact with and/or shadowing the centerline will be acceptable.
Blessed Sacrament is the only gym where a step over the baseline will be allowed (if the equipment room door and/or the exit door at the opposite end of the gym are left open, players may step back into the door opening. If this is done, no step over will be allowed)

Defensive Specialist or “Libero”
It is still MAISL’s belief that at our level all participating student/athletes should have the chance to play all positions, we will not institute the use of a Libero or Defensive Specialist.