Beach Co-ed 4s can be a difficult league to establish rules for, as there are a number of teams wishing to play 'fun' matches and other teams looking to play more of a serious game, adhering to some of the rules associated with true 2-on-2 beach volleyball. Invado recommends that teams establish which set of rules will be followed at THE START OF EACH GAME - the 'Relaxed Rules' or the 'Strict Rules' (marked below with an *).
WEATHER POLICY - We play in rain, delay in lightning, and only cancel the night if all remaining games can't be played (in abbreviated 10-min time slots), before darknes
We rarely cancel games before we have 'eyes & ears' on-location, so please plan to be at the courts in time for your games - EVEN IF THE FORECAST OR WEATHER LOOKS BLEAK! Because summer storms don't usually last long, our staff report to the courts and will commence setup when/if the weather is safe. If games are delayed or interrupted by an electrical storm (i.e. visible lightning), then players should wait in a car (not on the sand or under a tree) until an Invado staff member indicates that the night is ready to resume or is being cancelled. Players are encouraged to follow us on Instagram, 'Like' us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, in order to find out the status of leagues when the weather is in question, as the night may be cancelled prior to the start of later time slots
Please note, too, that due to the problems caused by moving playoff dates (particularly in the busy summer months), we are unable to make-up nights lost to unsafe weather and unable to offer refunds to players/teams for such occurrences. We pay our staff and rental fees on cancelled nights, so we appreciate your understanding the need for this policy. Of course, if a number of nights are lost in the same league, we'll do what we can to make-up as many games, as possible
Teams should arrange to switch sides throughout the match to accommodate for unfair wind and sun conditions (we recommend every 7 total points scored, as per official beach volleyball rules)
PLAYER CONDUCT - teams and players are reminded to be respectful of opponents and Invado staff on-hand. We run our leagues (and you join them) to have a good time. Nasty incidents, rudeness, or taunting, etc. ruin the fun for everyone. If there is a serious dispute on the court, remember: a re-serve fixes everything and leaves the solution in the hands of the 'volleyball gods!' If there's an issue relating to our procedures, etc., please call our office at 1.877.9.INVADO or email us at info@invado.ca
Games will be timed. Teams should keep playing until they hear the game ending whistle
No ties are allowed. Please serve out a final, deciding point if the score is tied at the game-ending whistle
Teams must be on time. Teams will lose 1 point for every minute they are late or unable to play after the game begins. If a team is late or unable to play for more than 7 minutes - the opposing team will receive the forfeit victory
WINNING teams must report their result to the league convener at the scorers' table
All teams must have 2 females on the court at all times. Any team missing a female must utilize the "6-0 rule," whereby the opposing team starts the game with a score of 6-0. Teams may also borrow a maximum of 2 players from other teams sitting off (not in the playoffs, however)
No females on the court = a default loss
No team may play with more than 2 males on the court at any time - even if a female player is missing
*Official BEACH RULES state that tips, face passes off serve, and volleys of free-balls are not allowed, however, teams should discuss which version of the rules (strict or relaxed) they wish to employ at the start of each game or set, in order to avoid disputes later on
If playing 'strict rules' please be aware that 'beach digs' (base of the palm over-hand contact of the ball) is permitted. It can resemble a face-pass, but the primary point of contact is the base of the palms, as opposed to the fingers, etc.
Whether using relaxed or strict rules, no open-hand tips are allowed in 4s beach volleyball (too easy to score points) - however - pokeys (two knuckes), punches, and roll shots (soft hits with spin) are permitted and commonly used in beach volleyball
Players are not permitted to block or attack (spike) the opponent's serve in any way (unless the ball has dropped below top tape on the net)
Contact with the net is not permitted. Please call your own net infractions. Honesty cuts down on the disputes that can ruin everyone's night.
*Strict rule - Partial blocks (or 'touches' on the block) count as one team contact. Teams have two contacts remaining to get the ball back over the net. Again, teams should decide if they want to employ this rule as part of their 'strict vs relaxed' rule discussion
Teams must rotate servers, but are not required to rotate positions on the court
There is no attack line on the beach in Co-ed 4s, so all players are considered as 'front court' players (permitted to block/spike in the front row)
*Strict Rule - You may volley the ball over the net, BUT ONLY IF YOUR SHOULDERS ARE SQUARE TO THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE BALL TRAVELS AND/OR LANDS (frontwards or backwards). If the ball drifts or blows over while you are setting your teammate, the ball is still in play. Volleying the ball sideways over the net is not allowed in formal beach volleyballon. Again, if players wish to relax this rule, be sure to discuss this at the start of the match.
Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a loss. Invado also awards additional points for games played (win or lose) in higher tiers. This is to ensure that a team with a 2-2 record in Tier 1 (the top tier) is not tied in the standings with a team with a similar record in Tier 3 (the lowest tier). The standings seen on the site are the 'true' standings. A team may have a better win/loss record than another team but may still be lower in the standings due to more games played in lower tiers. Check www.invado.ca for weekly standings and schedules.
There are no referees, so - again - please handle any disputes with a re-serve
Because there is no centre line on the beach, players are permitted under the net as long as there is no contact with an opposing player
If contact is made with an opponent under the net, please call your own infraction
Teams must keep track of the game score through the use of the handy on-net Invado scoreboards provided (ideal for side-changes, too)
Only players listed on official rosters at www.invado.ca will be considered as league eligible
Players whose names have been 'greyed-out' have not completed the e-waiver. Teams with greyed-out players run the risk of having all of their games recorded as forfeit losses
Captains can login to their accounts at www.invado.ca in order to add players instantly, re-send e-waivers, and monitor the status of teammate e-waiver completion
All teams advance to league playoffs on the final night of play, each session
Players are only permitted to play on ONE team on playoff night (unless prior approval has been granted by Invado admin)
Playoff eligible players must be listed on the team's official roster at www.invado.ca
All players must be able to produce photo ID on playoff night, should a 'roster challenge' be issued by an opposing team (so please bring photo identification on playoff night - just in case)
Roster challenges must be requested by opposing teams at the start of the match (or whenever the player in-question starts playing). They cannot be issued after a match has ended, but - if issued during a match (and successful) - are still not retroactive (i.e. past points/sets will not be replayed)
Playoff matches are never timed and, usually, follow a best 2 of 3 format - only winning teams move on until champions are crowned for each tier
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