Youth Volleyball Rules Modifications

It shall be the policy that the rules of play of this league shall follow the USAV rules, unless amended or modified herein, and are governed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks’ Guidelines and Reference Manual. https://www.aacounty.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/RecPark_Guidelines_Reference_Manual.pd

TOBACCO, DRUG, AND ALCOHOL PROHIBITION 

• No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers of any kind, are permitted in or on any Board of Education-owned or leased buildings or grounds at any time.
• No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers of any kind, are permitted in or on any R&P buildings or grounds at any time. To include, but not limited to:
  • restrooms, spectator and concession areas, dog parks, aquatic facilities, or playgrounds in any R&P recreational facility or park. 
• Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited within 100 yards of an organized activity at an R&P recreational facility or park. 
   

An organized activity is an event with a defined start and end time, held in a designated or permitted area. Examples of organized activities include athletic events and concerts.

BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY

As a prerequisite for any personal involvement with children, all adults who have care, custody, or control of youth participants in any program or activity must complete a criminal history records check as described in the Background Check process in the Guidelines and Reference Manual.

ZERO TOLERANCE PROCEDURES

PURPOSE: To implement and provide a procedure that allows for a safe environment for player participation, Coach Instruction, Fan support, and officials. The following procedure is designed to deter unsportsmanlike behavior at youth sporting events.

• In cases where unsportsmanlike behavior is being displayed, the referee/official (s) have the authority to:
• Stop the game and warn the offending sideline (s).
• The next display of unsportsmanlike behavior by the offending sideline(s) will result in termination of the game.
• If the officials cancel a game due to unsportsmanlike behavior, the Recreation & Parks Department will determine the contest's outcome.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

The Department has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions for inappropriate and/or unsportsmanlike behavior and/or non-compliance with departmental policies, guidelines, or standards. This authority is not limited to programs sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

• Ejections In Youth Sports
  • Players ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct by departmental personnel or game officials will be suspended for a minimum of one (1) game, including playoffs and tournaments.
  • Coaches or spectators ejected by departmental personnel or game officials for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended for a minimum of two (2) games, including playoffs and tournaments.
  • Ejections occurring at the end of the season will result in the suspensions being carried over to the next sport or season. The suspended individual may be barred from all sites where County-sponsored activities are being held.
  • A coach who refuses to provide the full name of an ejected player and/or coach to departmental personnel or game officials will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Non-Appealable Disciplinary Sanctions
  • The following disciplinary sanctions may not be appealed:
    • Probation
    • One or two-game Suspension for Participants in Youth Activities (includes coaches)
    • Two-week Suspension for Participants in Adult Activities
    • Recruiting violations
• Physical Confrontations
  • A player, coach, or spectator who makes or threatens physically aggressive contact with another individual, other than a game official, may be suspended from all county-sponsored sports for a minimum of one (1) year from the date of the incident.
  • A player, coach, or spectator who threatens physically aggressive contact with a game official may be suspended from all County-sponsored sports for a minimum of two (2) years from the date of the incident.
  • The suspended individual may be barred from all County parks, facilities, and County-sponsored activities.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY 
Inclement weather: Check website: https://www.aacounty.org/recreation-parks/sports or the Team Sports Portal

• Inclement weather decisions made by the County will be posted approximately 2 hours before the first game. 
• If games have not been cancelled (there will NOT be an update), go to the field where the official will determine whether the game is playable.

COACHES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

COACHES TRAINING

• Concussion Awareness: All coaches should know the Symptoms of a Concussion and the Action Steps to take for a concussion.  All players and parents must read and complete the A.A. County Recreation & Parks Concussion Awareness form. This form is to be signed by the player and parent and kept on file with the Player’s Team Organization.
• Head Coach and Assistant coaches must sign into the Coaches Portal and complete the Coach’s Pledge.
• Coaches' Pledge & Training: Before coaching, the head coaches must watch the training modules (Nays Training) and upload training certificates on their “My Info” page in the Team Sports Portal when completed.
• The head coach is responsible for the conduct of any person connected with his team at all times. This includes conduct towards the officials. 
• The head coach is responsible for the behavior of his players and all team members. 
• The head coach is also responsible, insofar as can be reasonably expected, to control the spectators.
• Abuse of an official or an opposing player by a fan with no attempt by the management of the team to eliminate it will be dealt with by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY, TEAM ROSTERS AND PAPERWORK

• ALL registration paperwork must be submitted to the Recreation & Parks Department via the Team Sports Portal. 
  • All players/parents must complete a player contract, concussion form, and, if needed, a player release to participate in the AA County league.
• Completed rosters should have the player's name, DOB, parent email, and jersey number (if applicable). If parents' email is not provided, then the Player's Contract and concussion form for each player on the roster must be submitted to the supervisor.
• It is recommended that each player receive a thorough examination by a health practitioner, including concussion baseline testing, before entering any sports program.
• Any coach who signs or plays an ineligible player is subject to disciplinary actions. Upon discovery of an ineligible player, all games in which the ineligible player participated will be forfeited

VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES 

2026 leagues are playing USAV rules (with the below exceptions) and are governed by the Recreation and Parks Guidelines and Reference Manual.

PLAYER AGE ELIGIBILITY

• Players can only play on one (1) team. An ineligible player and the coach are liable for suspension and disciplinary action. 
• Players playing on a public, private, and/or parochial High School interscholastic volleyball team at any level may not play in the County leagues.

RULE EXCEPTIONS

• All 3 sets are played to 25 points, and the team must win by two (2); if time does not allow, the 3rd set can be played to 15 points, if approved by the Gym Staff.
• Must have five (5) players to start the game; no more than 12 players on the team.
• Players can only play on one (1) team. Players cannot play down, but they can play up. 
• Co-ed teams must have no more than 3 males on the court at any time.
  • New Rule for 14-17 Co-Ed: Reverse Co-Ed Rules for 14-17 league only – with a maximum of 3 boys on the court
  • A maximum of 3 boys on the court, staggering the positions between boys and girls.
  • Boys can only attack from behind the attack line. 
  • Boys can attack from above the height of the net in the front row, and direct the ball to the opponent's court as long as the ball has an upward trajectory immediately after contact. 
  • No male player can participate in a block. 
  • Female back-row players may be forward of the attack line for the purpose of blocking.
  • The net height for reverse co-ed will be 7’4-1/8”.
• Free substitution throughout the game. The player must complete a full rotation before serving again.
• Time to serve: 8 seconds 
• The Reserve Rule is applied after each rally point 
• 1 serve per rotation. 
• 10U & 12U Mercy Rule: No more than 5 points may be scored per server. 
• Uniforms – do not need uniform numbers, but must be identical in color. Must wear a uniform that clearly contrasts with the rest of the team.
• Net Rule – it will be a fault to touch any part of the net or the antenna while in the act of playing the ball. Touching the net tape and mesh will be a fault. Touching the net outside the antenna will not be a fault. 
• Coaches are encouraged to use their designated captains for any questions to the officials. Comments or concerns should be made in writing to your specific Organization’s Commissioner. 
• There will only be a maximum of three (3) coaches allowed on each team's sideline at any time.

SERVICE LINES AND NET HEIGHTS

RESCHEDULING OF GAMES 
The county will NOT reschedule games cancelled by the coaches or organizations.

GAME BALL

• Each team must provide 1 game ball for the game. Suggested balls are: 
  • Molten U12 leather ball or Tachikara Lite leather ball for 10U & 12U.
  • Molten Super Touch leather ball or Tachikara SV-5W Gold leather ball for 14U.