League Rules and Policies

The rules listed below are set for the 2013-2016 League seasons. These rules are to help create an atmosphere of fair and competitive play. All rules apply to both Wasatch Beach Doubles League AND Wasatch Beach (Weekend) Tournaments, unless otherwise noted. Any concerns/questions should be brought to the attention of the Wasatch Beach Board; however, as a standard practice rules will not be changed mid-season.

Wasatch Beach underlying rules are the FIVB International Beach Volleyball Rules 2013-2016.
Rules of the Games 2013-2016: Most pertinent changes from previous version.

1. Each match will be two sets (games) using rally scoring
2. Sets are played to 21 points
3. A team must have a 2 point advantage to win a set and there are no caps (unless time dictates a need to cap, event director shall decide)
4. There are two 30 second timeouts allowed per set
5. Only one timeout per player per match is allowed for injuries
6. Teams will change sides every 7 points. Side changes will occur without delay
7. Time between sets will be one minute
8. Let serves are in play

Teams will only be listed as two people.

Players who place 1st in TWO Wasatch Beach Events* are required to move up a division. Players will not be allowed to play in a division lower than the division in which their current points were earned. Players with points from the previous season must continue to play in that division or higher until previous season points are dropped (which typically happens after June 1).
*Wasatch Beach Events are defined as Wasatch Beach League or Wasatch Beach (Weekend) Tournaments.

In order to provide better planning, strict deadlines will be followed. No "day of" signups or late registrations will be accepted. See specific league for exact deadline dates.

Each Wasatch Beach Doubles League division will be limited to a maximum of 12 teams on a "first come, first serve" basis.

Only points acquired from Wasatch Beach Doubles League and Wasatch Beach (Weekend) Tournaments will be used for seeding. A combination of 2011 and 2012 WBV points will be used for seeding purposes from the start of the season through June events. For WBV events beginning July 1st and going through the rest of the season, ONLY 2012 points will be used for seeding.

Points will be assigned based on the number of entering teams per division, then minus 1 point per placement. Teams finishing in 1st – 5th place in each division will receive points. If there is a tie for 5th, both teams will be awarded points. See example below.

10 Teams:
1st Place = 10 points
2nd Place = 9 points
3rd Place = 8 points
4th Place = 7 points
5th Place = 6 points

Substitutions for a partner will be allowed during the regular league season play only. One person from the originally registered team must play in each game. Substitutions may be from within the league or from another league. A sub MAY SUB UP a division, but CANNOT SUB DOWN a division if that player has points in the higher division. (i.e. An Open player WITH Open points cannot sub for an A player. An Open player WITHOUT Open points can sub for an A player. An A player with or without A points can sub up for an Open player.) Women may substitute for a men's team; however, men will not be allowed to substitute for a women's team. There can only be one substitute player per game; once a substitute begins a game that player must finish it. The same substitute is not required to play both games in a match. No substitutions will be allowed during Tournament weeks.

Tournament Players must be the two originally registered players - no substitutions. League Tournaments will run as a double elimination bracket, with an Olympic Cross Over* format.

*Olympic Cross Over format - The Championship Match will be the final match; in the case of the Contender's Bracket Team winning the final match (meaning the first lost for the Winner's Bracket Team), no additional match will be played.

A League Team will forfeit its first game at 6 minutes past the scheduled start time and will forfeit the second game at 16 minutes past the scheduled start time. Teams that show up after the scheduled start time, but within the 5 minute (1st game) or 15 minute (2nd game) time frame, must start immediately and are not allowed extra warm up time. Players will use the Wasatch Clock for official start times; the Wasatch Clock is located north of Wasatch Beach on the wall of the Sports Mall.

Each team is allowed one time-out for 60 seconds per game. Time-outs that exceed this will result in a loss of a rally. Be respectful of your opponents and keep time-outs concise.

Each player is allowed one 5 minute injury time-out per match. After 5 minutes the player must return to play or forfeit the game and/or match.

Any request for an Exception to the Rule due to "special circumstances" must be presented to the Wasatch Beach President in a timely manner. The President will share the request and any information needed with the Wasatch Beach Board Members. The player/team making the request should not notify/explain the request to board members; this communication will come from the President. Each board member will have an opportunity to vote to either allow the Exception to the Rule request or to deny it. Decisions made by the board are final, confidential and on a case by case basis; they will have no bearing on any future requests or decisions. If a board member, or team on which a board member plays, is making the request, that board member will be excluded from voting and a proxy representative will be asked by the President to cast a vote.

In the event of bad weather, good judgment, common sense and the following thinking will guide our actions in the interest of player and spectator safety.

1. If we have to cancel an event in advance, we will do our best to notify participants using the contact information provided.
2. On event days, competition will be delayed in the event of lightning or other unsafe conditions. Should such conditions persist and force the cancellation of the event, the procedure will be the same as in paragraph 1.
3. If the unsafe conditions are of short duration, play will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. Format of play will be adjusted as necessary to complete play within the event day(s). Any adjustments to the format or schedule will be made by the Wasatch Beach Player Representatives and Wasatch Beach Volleyball.