House Rules

The SMVA operates on a code of gentlemanly conduct. The concept of fair play, by calling our own touches, net violations, balls in and out, and so on, is expected from all of our members.

  1. Registration / Waiver.   
    1. All officials,  players and substitute players need to register before playing.  Link to Waiver
  1. Gym Package Responsibilities
    1. Team “D” is responsible for printing the gym score sheet and bringing it to the gym.  
    2. At the end of the night the 1st place team is responsible for sending a picture of the completed scoresheet to the exec.  Either take a picture and send to scores@smva.ca or post in the whatsapp group.  The winning team can also bring the completed sheet to Gabbys and they will get some kind of a food platter from them (as long as they have at least 4-5 people )
  2. Court Setup
    1. On each court the higher ranked team (usually A, B,E) except in 7 Team format when its (B,C,D) is responsible for setup of the courts. If the court is not ready by 7:20 p.m.  the referee, in consultation with the local convener, can issue a default.  If there were issues with missing or broken equipment etc, then defaults are not necessary.
    2.  Antennae
      The antennae must be used on each court. This eliminates many problems.
  3.  Court Cleanup:
    1. The winner of the first game of the last match is responsible for taking down and storing the equipment at the end of the evening.  
    2. Team “D” is responsible for final cleanup and locking of the box. Team “D” will be held financially responsible for loss of equipment due to neglecting their responsibilities.
  4. Defaults
    1. New 2023 4 players A default is when a team has less then 4 players able to play. 
    2. At 5/6/7 team gyms.   The first game is defaulted at Start time (7:20)  the second game is forfeited at the 4min buzzer.   Please start play as soon as able don’t wait until 4min buzzer to start it.
    3. At 4 team gyms,  the first game will be defaulted at Start time (7:20) then second 7:35, the third at 7:45.
  5. Timeouts
    1.  Timeouts are not permitted in any game.
  6. Timed Games.
    1. Captains are in charge of the timer (initially, Team D).  Set it to buzz 4 minutes before the official end of the match.  Announce “4 Minutes” to the entire gym, and reset for the final 4 minutes.  At the final buzzer, play continues until the ball is out of play and the final point is reached. If the buzzer sounds immediately after the whistle for service, the ball must  be served and the point played out.
    2. All matches for 5 6 or 7 team gyms,  will be 2-game timed matches with 2 points available for each game. 
    3. 2023 revision.   4 Team gyms will now play 3 games vs each other once, instead of 2 games twice.   All 3 games will count for 2 points each, so a total of 6 in the match, it is not a best of 3.   if the 3rd game is tied at the buzzer it will be split 1-1 as well.   The First and Second game will start at 4 the Third at 0.    
    4.  If the first game is not finished by the 4 minute buzzer, a single game will be played. If, before the buzzer sounds, the whistle has blown to signify the end of game, it will be a 2-game match.
    5. If there is a re-serve after time expires, the point is replayed (if it can change the outcome of the game,   tied or within 1 point)
  7. Scoring
    1. Scoring should be handled by the teams.   If 6 players or less then on both teams then the Referee can handle the scoring.
    2. A team must win the first game by a 2-point spread (no cap).  If time runs out during the first game, 4 points are available as a 3-1 split or 2-2 if tied.  If time runs out in the second game, 2 points are awarded to the team in the lead.  Points for tie games are split 1-1.   The first game will start at 4,  the second at 0
    3. NEW 2023  4 Team gyms will now play 3 games vs each other once, instead of 2 games twice.   All 3 games will count for 2 points each, so a total of 6 in the match.  It is not a best of 3.   If the 3rd game is tied at the buzzer it will be split 1-1 as well.   The First and Second game will start at 4 the Third at 0.    If for whatever reason the 2nd game goes very long and hits the 4 min buzzer,  then it would be 2 points for first game,  and then a potential 3-1 or 2-2 on the second/third combined game.   
  8.  Substitution
    1.  Substitution is to be by the standard OVA method. or through position 6 on a rotational basis. The system must not change during the game, except through injury.   Subs are unlimited but still follow normal substitution rules.  IE a player can sub in for only 1 other player.
    2.  Once the buzzer goes off to indicate 4 minutes remaining in a match, each team may make one set of substitutions before the next whistle indicating service of ball.  Following that, there are to be no OVA-method substitutions during the last 4 minutes of a match.
    3.  If a Libero is used, substitution of that player supersedes the above rules and must be done seamlessly.
    4. In case of injury,  Please do what makes the most sense to allow play to continue.   IE,  if a team has 7 and one gets hurt,  the Libero then would sub in for that injured player for the remainder of that game.
  9. Libero
    1. It is the responsibility of the captain and team members to know and understand the OVA rules on the use of a Libero player. SMVA adaptations:
    2. While not necessary, its good if the libero can use a unique coloured jersey/shorts, or if your team is wearing a matching jersey, to have a different jersey for the libero. 
    3. The referee and opposing captain must be informed, before play starts, that a Libero will be used.   If the libero shows up late you can let the referee know and start to use that player as libero as long as the referee acknowledges and allows. (new 2023)
  10.   Service
    The server is permitted to have one foot in the court on contact of the ball or in takeoff for a jump serve as long as the second foot also is contacting the ground in a legal position simultaneously.  This rule is in place on all courts, even those with extra space behind the serving line.
  11. Screening
    1. If a receiving players view of the server and/or the ball is unfairly hindered by a player on the serving team, it will be deemed a screen. Neither the trajectory of the ball nor the reasons for standing in a screening position are to be considered – simply, is a receiving player’s view unfairly hindered?
    2. The receiving captain should tell the referee as soon as the point is over. If the referee agrees with the captain, the serving captain shall be warned. Failure to heed the warning will result in a loss of point.
    3.  The “low trajectory” or “1 metre apart” rules were, in the past, simply interpretations. The rule in the SMVA is one of gentlemanly conduct]
  12. Ball Leaving The Court
    1. If a ball leaves the court crossing the centre line of a 2-court gym, it is considered to be out of bounds as soon as body is in contact with or past the centre line.
  13. Out of Bounds.
    1. At PPL there is a discrepancy on the court.   The big thick black line at the back wall is OUT.   Please check with officials at that gym,  but the Line is OUT and not in for both courts.
  14. Roof Touch 2022+
    1. The ceiling is now allowed.   Any ball touching the Ceiling after the block, first contact or second contact as long as the ball doesn’t pass over the net back towards the other team.   Items attached to ceiling are okay, but attached to the side wall is out of bounds.   
    2. The ball may hit multiple times (ping pong) as long as it doesn’t come to a pause/stop up top.   In which case its deemed as “out” 
    3.  If questions at gyms about different basketball net standards or things hanging from ceiling ec please check with referees before the match.
  15. Ball Entering The Court
    1.  If the referee observes a ball entering the court from a different court, he or she shall blow his or her whistle and call a re-serve.
    2.  Whenever a player observes a ball entering the court from a different court, that player is expected to yell as well.
    3.  When the referee hears one or more players call “ball!”, the referee shall blow his or her whistle and call a reserve. There is no discretion on the referee’s part, regardless of whether or not the ball interferes with play.
  16.  Gentlemanly Conduct
    The SMVA expects gentlemanly conduct from all its members. We call all touches, balls in or out, etc., honestly and fairly. Please do not argue with the referees. Only the captain may initiate conversation with the referees.
  17.  Aggressive Play
    Aggressive play that endangers the safety of others will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, frequent landing over the centre line or falling into the net while spiking or blocking, regardless of whether the ball landed first. Referees will warn a player regarding aggressive play and will follow up with yellow and red cards if it continues.