VACT Rules for Open League:
There will be two 10-week seasons with a maximum of 10 teams in each division. Seasons will align with school terms 2 and 3. Competitions will use the promotion/relegation system between season. The the top two teams from each division will move up divisions, and the bottom two teams will move down.
Games
- Matches will be played to a maximum of three sets or the allocated time allowed (60 minutes).
- The three sets are (25, 25, 15).
- A team only needs to achieve 8 points in a set (and be ahead by two) for a set to be "counted".
- Even if the score is 2 sets to 0, the third set will still be played (if time allows).
- There is no requirement to swap ends (at the eighth point) in the third set.
Point Allocation
- Win a match: Four (4) competition points will be awarded.
- Drawn match 1:1: Two (2) competition points will be awarded to each team.
- Lose a match: Zero (0) competition points will be awarded.
Game Rules
Divisions 1 & 2 - Standard rules apply including tracking of rotations and substitutions.
Division 3 and below - Simplified scoresheet. No tracking of rotations or substitutions. Relaxed rules apply.
Serving Rules
- Divisions 1, 2, 3: Standard rules and faults apply. No modifications.
- Division 4: If the player steps ON the line, it will not be deemed a fault. If they step OVER the line (whole foot inside the court), it will be deemed a fault.
- Division 5, 6 women: Players may serve freely between the baseline and attack line (3m line). Encouraged to serve from as far back as possible, especially with overarm serving. They can serve consecutively.
- Division 7, 8 women (and Division 5 Men): Players may serve freely between the baseline and attack line. Encouraged to serve from as far back as possible, especially with overarm serving. Must rotate after 3 consecutive serves, keeping possession to allow for more touches within teams.
- It is at the discretion of the referee to determine if an unfair advantage is present from a serving team, and they are serving within the court. The aim is to promote the development of players by encouraging them to take risks and serve from as close to the baseline as they can.
Duty Requirements
Duty teams for Division 1 & 2 = minimum of 4 duty positions - 1 x 2nd referee, 1 x scorer, 2 x lines people
Divisions 3 = minimum of 2 duty positions - 1 x 2nd referee, 1 x scorer (no lines required, but Royals teams are encouraged to provide two lines people if possible).
Divisions 4 & below = No duty required.
Additional information for Juniors:
Net heights: Lowered nets - Junior Men - 2.24m and Junior Women - 2.15m
There are relaxed serving rules with no foot faults called by the 1st referee. Juniors are encouraged, if capable, to serve behind the baseline.
These rules may be changed by VACT at any time to suit the level of the playing group, after consultation with all the teams and clubs (eg: Net height for Division 4 could be lowered).
Placement of Teams on the Competition Table
Teams will be placed based on:
- Competition points.
- Set percentage (%) (calculated by total sets won divided by total sets played).
- Point percentage (%) (calculated by total points won divided by total points played).
