Player Requirements
Competitive, Advanced, Intermediate, & Recreational 6’s are played with 6 players on the court. Anything less than 6 players will result in a default. Elite & Competitive 4’s are played with 4 players on the court. A minimum of 2 of the same sex must be on the court at all times for all divisions of play.

The opposing team may waive the minimum player requirement and have the match count as an official game. This determination must be made prior to the start of play. This understanding must be made clear at the net by both team captains.  

Start Time
If a team does not meet the minimum requirement five minutes after the official match start, they will default the first game by a score of 25-0. If the minimum requirement is not met fifteen minutes after the match begins, then they will default the entire match. After 3 defaults, teams will be ineligible from further competition.

Scoring
Matches are 45 minutes in length. The team who wins the most games in that time wins the match. All games are played to 25 points with rally point scoring (ie. a point is scored on every serve) and must be won by 2 points, with a 27 point cap. The team that is ahead when the whistle blows will be credited with a win for that game. If the two teams are tied in the game being played when the whistle blows, then one rally point will be played to determine the winner of that game. If at the end of the 50 minutes the two teams are tied in games won, then the team with the most total points will be declared the winner. If the total points are even, then one rally point will be played to determine the winner of the match. In order for any game to count, the cumulative score between the two teams must be at least 10 points (e.g. 9-1, 6-4, etc.)

Recording Scores
Captains of both teams are responsible for recording the score of the game on their score cards. Score cards have fields for score and the opposing captain's initial. SCORE CARDS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL. The captain or member of their team must drop of the completed score card for their team with the results of both games in the box at the administration table. Scores are to be recorded by games won and lost, with the winning team being circled.

Referees
There are no referees, so teams are required to call their own violations, and are expected to be honest and foster a high level of sportsmanship at all times. We rely on your spirit of sportsmanship and honesty to keep the matches fun and enjoyable for all. If there is a dispute, please re-serve the point.

Volleying a Serve
A player may never volley a serve in any division of beach volleyball. To repeat, a player may never volley a serve.

Volleying
Once the ball is in play (after the serve), you may volley the first hit, however, it must be a clean volley (ie. very little spin) and may only be volleyed to a teammate and not over the net.

A second hit may be volleyed over the net, but only if you are square to the direction of the ball or if you are intentionally setting your attacker for them to spike the ball (the ball is allowed to drift over the net). In Elite, Competitive & Advanced divisions a player may not return a third hit with a volley over the net. In Intermediate and Recreational divisions, a player may return a third hit with a volley only if he/she is square to the direction of the ball.

Attack
A player is not allowed to complete an attack-hit using an “open-handed tip” or directing the ball with the fingers. A tip must be with a closed hand (hard contact with the ball) or intentional spike, block, or knuckle.

Player Rotations
In 4's divisions, you do not have to rotate your players around the court, but you must rotate your servers. In 6's divisions, you must follow the same rotation as in court volleyball - ie. players must rotate positions (from back right, to middle back, to back left, to front left, to front middle, to front right). In addition, players in the back court may not attack or block from the front court (although there is no attack line, please respect this rule).

Blocking
If a player blocking touches the ball on the block, it is counted as the first touch. The blocker may play the ball off his/her own block. These two contacts are counted as one touch.

Playing the Ball
Players may play the ball off any part of their body, excluding feet.

Contacting the net and crossing under the net
Players may not touch the net at any time during play. A player may cross under the net without violation, as long as they do not touch anyone on the other team or interfere with them playing the ball or make contact with the net. A player is then allowed to return to their own side and play continues.

Serving
Let serves are allowed (the ball is allowed to contact the net on the serve). Elite/Competitive/Advanced - Unlimited serves per player. Intermediate 6’s – Maximum of 5 serves per player. After 5 serves, the serving team rotates one position with the next player continuing to serve. Recreational 6’s – A maximum of 5 serves per player. After 5 serves, the opposing team is awarded the serve and rotates one position.

Court Side Changes
In sunny or windy conditions, where one side of the court offers an advantage, teams will change sides after every 10 points scored.

Personal Belongings
Please place all personal belongings as close to the court posts as possible to avoid any injuries! Please keep children clear of the court area.