Chair Volleyball Chair volleyball is a physical activity that provides a fun way to be active.  The players are required to remain seated, making chair volleyball both safe and fun.  Regular participation in this activity can increase flexibility and stamina.

These rules apply to the casual chair volleyball sponsored by Bonham Plays. Rules for tournaments may differ.

Definitions

• Serve:  A hit used to put the ball into play. 
  
• Dead Ball When the ball temporarily suspends play it is considered a dead ball. The ball is considered dead until it is served again. Examples of a dead ball:
  
  
  • The ball touches the floor in either the playing or non-playing area.
• • The ball touches a teammate on the serving side, a chair on the serving side, or the ceiling on a serve. 
• • The ball touches the net without going over on a serve. Note: If the ball touches the net during play, it is considered live.
• • The ball crosses the net entirely outside the posts or lands out of bounds.
• • The ball passes completely under the net.
• • The ball visibly comes to rest, even momentarily, in the hands during play.
• • When a player touches the net at any time during play.
  • The ball is whistled dead by a referee for any reason.

Side-out : The termination of a team’s right to serve. The ball is deemed dead.
Examples of a side-out:

• Ball touches the ground on the opposing team’s side, outside the court boundaries, on a hit from the serving team.
• The ball hits the net, but does not go over the net on a serve.
• The ball touches a serving side’s teammate, a serving side’s chair, or ceiling on a serve.
• The serving side fails to legally hit the ball over the net to the opposing team.

Beginning Rules

1. Teams consist of 6 (or less) players, Each player will have a chair typically arranged in 2 rows of 3 chairs. Placement of the chairs players is up to each team but once the court is set up and the game begins the chair placement remains consistent until the game ends.
   
2. Teams have the option to have alternates players available. In situations where one or more players are absent (such as illness, vacations, etc.) teams can play with less than 6 players.
   
3. Court is set up to regulation size of 14’ wide by 22’ deep. 11’ on each side of the net. Net height 60”.
   
4. A play ball ~20” in diameter is used for play. (smaller harder balls are not allowed for safety reasons)
   
5. No sharp jewelry can be worn on the hands and wrists (so the ball will not be punctured). If a player is unable to remove sharp jewelry items, the items should be taped so no sharp portions are exposed.
   
6. A volley is a live ball traveling legally back and forth across the net.  When the first game begins the first serve is determined by a volley. The referee will gently toss the ball to one side or the other and the ball will be in play.  Each side must touch the ball once before a determination of the first serve is made.
   
7. When the teams are playing against one another multiple time the losing team of the prior game gets to serve the ball first.
   
8. Communication to a referee is to come only from a team captain.
   
9. If a referee’s call is in question (by a team captain), the volley can be replayed at the referee’s discretion.

Serving Rules

1. A legal serve cannot hit a teammate, a teammate’s chair, or the ceiling; if it does, the opposing team receives the ball. (Side-out)
   
2.  If the ball hits the net and goes over, the serve is replayed once. If this serve attempt fails (even if it touches the net and goes over), the possession of the ball is awarded to the opposing team to serve.
   
3. If the ball hits the net and does not go over it is considered a side-out and the opposing team receives the ball.
   
4.  If the ball is a net ball but lands out of bounds on the other side, it is considered a side out and the ball goes to the opposing team.
   
5. Referee calls the score prior to each serve and the server calls out “Serve.” If serve is not called out, there is a do-over. If there is a 2nd offense on the same serve of not calling out “Serve” the ball is awarded to the other team.
   
6. The first player to serve the ball on each team is the right back player. The referee will present the ball to the right back player on the team winning the volley.
   
7. A serve sent off before all players are seated is served again without penalty.
   
8. One player continues serving until a dead ball is called or the game is won.
   
9. If a dead ball occurs, the possession of the ball is awarded to the opposing team to serve. The opposing team has then won the serve, but not a point.
   
10. When a serve is won, the team rotates. Rotation is: Last server comes to the front left chair; front row moves R, second row moves left, back row moves right.
    
11. All players must be seated and remain seated during the play. If a player stands, the ball is awarded to the other side.
    
12. Players may adjust individual chairs as desired within court boundaries and format upon rotation. No intentional movement of the chair during play, especially as it invades another player’s territory. If this is done, the ball is awarded to the other side.
    
13. If a chair is put out of bounds during play, the ball is awarded to the other side. A foot may go out of bounds in order to play a ball and keep balance.
    
14. Substitution can take place between serves at the captain’s discretion.
    
15. Medical related substitution can be made whenever needed.
    
16. The team receiving the ball for a new serve may implement a substitution. The person who served last exits the court, the team rotates and the alternate fills in the front left seat.
    
17. Points can only be accumulated by the serving team. The serving team is first awarded the serve and then a point is scored on the next successive serve. Note: Unless Rally Scoring is being used.

In Play Rules

• There are no limits on the number of times a team or team member contact the ball before the ball crosses the net. It is not necessary for consecutive contacts must be made by different players.
  
• A legal hit is considered any contact with the ball by a player’s body (one or both hands, head, shoulder, etc.), contact with any part of the chair, and not allowing the ball to visibly come to rest.
  
• A ball is considered in play from the moment it is served until a dead ball occurs.
  
• One cheek rule; players are allowed to lift one side of the body but are not permitted to rise completely off the chair. (no air between the cheek and the seat)
  
• 5. If a player leaves their seat during play, possession of the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
  
• 6. A ball visibly coming to rest between the hands of two, opposing front row players will be replayed.
  
• 7. If the ball lands on any part of the boundary line (masking tape or other material), it is considered in bounds. Note: Since the thickness of some of the materials used for the lines is different, please follow this rule: The outermost part of the tape, rubber, etc, will be considered the boundary line and should be measured and set up accordingly for the court.
  
• 8. Players are not permitted to reach across the plane of the net. This will be clear if more than the fingers are over the net. If reaching occurs a whistle from the referee will signal a dead ball and a side-out or point scored will be called. Feet and hands will not be permitted over, under, or through the net’s boundary line.
  
• 9. A ball hit into the net or ceiling and rebounding to the same side is in play.
  
• 10. Teams are allowed 2 time outs of 2 minutes per time out for each hour of the match. Time outs are to be called by the captain.

Scoring Rules

• If the ball touches the ground on the opposing team’s side within court boundaries, the other team earns the ball.
  
• The ball is awarded to the other side if the opposing team commits a fault.
  
• One point is awarded for each successful serve (unless it is a side-out).
  
• The first team to score 15 points wins the game.
  
• The winning team must win by two points.

Yellow Card / Red Card Ruling

Yellow Card:  A player/coach/spectator will receive a yellow card if, in the opinion of the referee:

• He/she shows by word or action, continued dissent from any decision given by the referee(s).
  • He/she is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • If the referee stops the game to distribute a yellow card, the opposing team will receive either a point for serve or be awarded the serve.
  • In all cases the yellow card must be shown to, and acknowledged by the player/coach/spectator receiving the yellow card.

Red Card:  A player/coach/spectator will receive a red card if, in the opinion of the referee, he/she:

• Is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play.
  • Persists in misconduct after receiving a yellow card.
  • Uses threatening actions or words
    
• If a player receives a red card the individual will not be permitted to play in the time remaining in the match. Note: If the player (who received the red card) continues misconduct as a spectator, they will be asked by Site Supervisor to leave the game area.
  
• · If a coach/spectator receives a red card the individual will be asked by Site Supervisor to leave the game area.
  
• If a player/coach/spectator continues misconduct and refuses to leave the game area, referee may call game and award the match win to the opposing team.
  
• If the referee stops the game to distribute a red card to a player/coach, the opposing team will receive a point for serve or be awarded the serve.
  
•  In all cases the red card must be shown to, and acknowledged by the player/coach/spectator receiving the red card.
  
• Sideline coaching or assisting will not be permitted from the opposite team’s side or back lines while ball is in play.   Players might find this distracting.
  
• Each team is required to supply 2 referees. 

Coaching Tips During Competition:

Successful teams:

· Sit up straight with feet flat on the floor and never lean back in the chair.

· Keep their hands up during the opposing team’s serve.

· Play the game with control rather than power. The ball is under greater control when moving slowly!

· Have fun and are an example of good sportsmanship.

· Talk to each other when they need help advancing the ball over the net.

· Encourage teammates with positive feedback such as “good hit” and “nice save.”