Volleyball RULEBOOK 

Payment
Credit card payments are accepted on our encrypted, secure site. Individual payments or corporate sponsors are welcome. For sponsored teams, any fees paid by an individual for a team may be refunded upon an equal payment provided by a third party.  Payments cover permitting, equipment, officiating, management, credit card fees, and general insurance costs.  75% of team payments must be paid online to be put on the schedule.  All remaining payments are due prior to each team's 1st game.  Cash and check will be accepted prior to each team's 1st game.  Free agents must register and pay prior to being assigned to a team.

Operation/Refund Policy 
TMSSC leagues are viable with a minimum of 4 teams per league. Pre-season cancellation fees are 30% of total fees due and cancellation MUST be requested IN WRITING via fax, email, or USPS mail at least three (3) business days (Monday - Friday) prior to the start of the league.  There are no refunds for any league already started or ready to start within three (3) business days. If a league does not become viable, full refunds will be given if team does not want, or cannot, be placed in another TMSSC league. TMSSC reserves the right to change specific league locations and operating times as necessary due to any required scheduling changes either on a weekly or seasonal basis. TMSSC also reserves the right to shorten any league due to multiple weather cancellations or unforeseen circumstances without any refund or credits provided.  Failure to abide by TMSSC rules and regulations will result in forfeiture of league/event participation and void any refunds.

Schedules/Holidays
Start/end dates and game times are posted online.  Start/end dates and game times are subject to change based on field availability, rainouts, and unforeseen circumstances, which may arise. Schedules are posted after registration is closed and all payments have been received.  Schedule requests must come from team captains, and must be submitted in writing at least three [3] business days prior to the start of Week 1 games.  TMSSC reserves the right to schedule any team for any of the advertised dates and game times posted on the league homepage.  Bye requests will likely result in teams playing doubleheaders before or after their week off.

The following holidays will be automatic byes for all leagues:
New Years Day (Jan. 1)
Memorial Day Weekend (Friday-Monday)
Fourth of July (July 3 & 4)
Labor Day Weekend (Friday-Monday)
Thanksgiving Weekend (Wednesday-Sunday)
Christmas Eve through New Years Eve (Dec. 23 - Dec. 31)

Unless parks/venues are closed, games will be scheduled for the following holidays unless a majority of teams request a bye prior to Week 1: MLK Weekend, Valentine's Day, Easter Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco De Mayo, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, & Veteran's Day.

Eligibility/Rosters
All participants must be in good health to participate.  TMSSC reserves the right to deny participation to any individual or team without explanation. Every participant must follow TMSSC rules and regulations. All participants of each league/tournament/event/season must accept an online waiver of liability to participate. Failure or refusal to waive liability will result in the denial of participation for that individual and will void any refund. All TMSSC leagues and social events have a minimum age requirement of 21 years old.
Every player must preregister online, accept the league waiver, prepay in full (if applicable), wear a TMSSC-issued uniform, and provide a photo ID before playoff games. Registration will be open up to the last day of the regular season.  Players will not be accepted after registration has closed.  Every player is limited to one roster per league per season.

Uniform & Equipment
In leagues which provide uniforms, every player must wear a TMSSC uniform on the court.  Team captains can submit color preferences in writing.  If one or more players do not bring their uniform on a given week, they may exchange shirts on the sideline in order to participate.  Players cannot wear uniforms inside-out.  Additional uniforms may be purchased for $10 each. Teams must give TMSSC staff advance notice if they wish to purchase/acquire additional uniforms.  If a team is shorthanded and picks up other league members, those other league members must wear their own team uniform.  Watches, jewelry, and other items deemed dangerous are prohibited while participating. 

Scores/Standings
Standings/Rankings are based on 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss, and -1 point for a forfeit. In the event that two or more teams have equal points at the end of the regular season, the first tiebreaker will be head-to-head competition.  The second tiebreaker will be season games differential (difference of games won and lost).

Protest
Eligibility protests must be made before the game begins, or immediately following the entrance of a protested player. During a game, a verbal protest must be made to an official or staff member once play ceases and before the next live ball situation.  Using vulgar/abusive language will invalidate a captain's protest. Protesting a judgment call is prohibited.  If the official or staff member finds the protest valid, they will overturn the call.  If the protested call is not overturned, the team captain must submit a written protest via email to a TMSSC Director within 24 hours of the protested game.  Captains must protest a score within 24 hours of its posting.

Every official strives for perfection, and player feedback is essential in making improvements.  However, during or immediately after a game is not an ideal time to provide feedback to an official.  Rather, we encourage all players (not just captains) to submit written evaluations of league officials to TMSSC Directors.

Sportsmanship
Every player must review TMSSC’s Code of Conduct (posted online) before participating.  Our leagues/events should be played with good sportsmanship.  Sports leagues are filled with judgment calls and, as a result, disputes between players, opponents, and staff may occur from time to time. However, it is important that participants respect and handle all disputes that may occur in a civilized manner.  Any player who disrespects, harasses, intimidates, or threatens another individual (opponent, referee, staff member, spectator) will be ejected from the game and suspended as outlined below.  Vulgar, obscene, abusive, derogatory, racist, sexist, discriminating, or demeaning comments, gestures, or actions will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in a suspension as outlined below.  Any player who commits the offense of assault and/or battery on another individual will be expelled from the league.

An ejection for minor violations of TMSSC's Code of Conduct policy will result in a 2-game suspension.  The second ejection in the same season will result in a suspension for the rest of the season, including playoffs.  Minor violations include, but are not limited to:
Vulgar or abusive language towards an opponent or spectator
Kicking/throwing a ball at an opponent during a dead-ball situation
Excessive arguing over referee's calls
Leaving the bench or substitution area to enter the field and argue a referee's call
Leaving the bench or substitution area to enter the field during an altercation
Pulling the uniform of an opponent not in possession of the ball

An ejection for a major violation  of TMSSC's Code of Conduct policy will result in a 5-game suspension. The second ejection for a flagrant foul in the same season will result in a 6-month suspension.  Major violations include, but are not limited to:
Vulgar language towards a referee or staff member
Making physical contact with a referee while arguing a call
Pushing/shoving/tripping an opponent
Pulling the hair of an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
Spitting at or on an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member

Any player who commits the offense of Assault will receive an automatic 6-month suspension, and may be subject to criminal prosecution.  Assault includes, but is not limited to:
Verbal threat of violence towards an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
Attempting to punch/kick an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
Charging/Confronting another individual in a combative/threatening manner
Brandishing/Displaying any type of weapon in a menacing/threatening manner

Any player who commits the offense of Battery will receive an automatic 12-month suspension, and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Battery includes, but is not limited to:
Punching/Kicking an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member
Choking an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member 
Striking an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member with any type of weapon
Slapping an opponent, spectator, referee, or staff member

Certain violations of general volleyball rules resulting in an ejection will be subject to review and a possible suspension.  These violations often rely on the judgment of a referee during live ball situations, and therefore will not count towards each player's 2-ejection limit per season.  Players may appeal a suspension in writing within 48 hours of a suspension notification. 

Florida Statute (Chapter 2004-276)
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: This act shall take effect October 1, 2004- 
Providing enhanced penalties for the offense of assault, battery, aggravated assault, or aggravated battery if the offense is committed upon a sports official; 
Section 1. Section 784.081, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 
784.081 Assault or battery on sports officials or employees; reclassification of offenses- 
If such offense is committed upon the sports official when he or she is actively participating as a sports official in an athletic contest or immediately following such athletic contest, and when the person committing the offense knows or has reason to know the identity or position or employment of the victim, the offense for which the person is charged shall be reclassified as follows: 
(1) In the case of aggravated battery, from a felony of the second degree to a felony of the first degree. 
(2) In the case of aggravated assault, from a felony of the third degree to a felony of the second degree. 
(3) In the case of battery, from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the third degree. 
(4) In the case of assault, from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Forfeit
Once both teams have at least 2 players, the match will begin.  To play a legal match, a team must have at least 3 players (at least 1 female) on the court 10 minutes past the scheduled start time.  A scrimmage will take place if the match results in a forfeit.  A team using an ineligible/suspended player forfeits all matches that the player participates in. Teams knowingly using such a player may face additional sanctions.  Two forfeits by any team during a single season may result in expulsion from the league with no registration fees refunded to the team or its players.

Game Stoppage
Call the Rainline (800.497.1852 ext. 4) for weather updates.  In the case of inclement weather, darkness, serious injury, or other harmful conditions, any match in which one teams has 2 wins and a lead in the postponed game of at least 2 points will constitute a legal match. The team with 2 wins and a lead of at least 2 points at the time of postponement will be declared the winner. 

Game Rules
1. Game Length-
There is a 55-minute time limit on all matches. Matches will consist of a best 3-of-5 game series. The first three games will be played to 21 (rally scoring, win by at least 2). If a 4th game is required, it will be played to 21 (rally scoring, win by at least 2). If a 5th game is required, it will be played to 15 (rally scoring, win by at least 2).  If time expires during the 5th game, the team with the lead by at least 2 will be declared the winner.

2. Equipment-
Teams may use the ball(s) provided by staff or any ball both opponents agree to use.  Nets and lines are provided by park/venue staff.  Players must play barefoot or in socks.  Cleats, sandals, tennis shoes, and crocs are prohibited.

3. Teams-
Teams consist of four players (2 men & 2 women) on the court at once. Three players (including 1 woman) are required to start and continue a match without forfeit.  The team fee covers 8 players.  Additional players pay $10.

4. Players-
Every player must preregister and accept the league waiver prior to participation. Every player must provide a photo ID before each playoff game.  Only an opposing captain or TMSSC staff member may waive this requirement.

5. Pre-Game-
The home team will have choice of serve or side.  The visiting team has the remaining choice. Teams will switch sides and possession in subsequent games.

6. Positions-
At the time of service, all players (except the server) must be inside the boundaries of the court. Players do not have to play in set positions or rotate.  Players may sub in during any dead ball, so long as they adhere to the service order.

7. Service-
Players must maintain the same service order throughout the match.  Every player on the court must be in the service order.  A team can insert a new player into their service order at any time.  A legal serve will take place from behind the team’s end line anywhere inside the sidelines. The serving player must remain behind the end line until the ball has been served. If player serves in the air, he/she can land on or inside the line. A legal serve must cross the net between the poles. A legal serve can touch the net on the way over. An opponent cannot leave the ground to attack a serve. However, an opponent can leave the ground to pass a serve. 

8. Net Play-
A ball must cross over the net between the poles (hitting the pole is out of bounds). Player contact with the net/pole is prohibited. A player may block the ball beyond/over the net provided that he/she does not interfere with opponent’s play. A player may cross under the net provided he/she does not interfere with opponent’s play.

9. Co-Ed Play-
A maximum of 2 men may play on the court at any given time.  Men can substitute for women provided that the sub does not violate the 2-men maximum.  If a ball is touched more than once on a side, at least one of the touches must be made by a woman.  Both captains may agree to waive this rule prior to the start of the 1st game.

10. Volley-
A team may touch the ball a maximum of 3 times before sending the ball over the net.  Players may touch the ball with their feet, knees, and head.  Consecutive touches by one player is prohibited.