Tournament rules & format
tournament format
League or Knockout or both, decided by number of team registrations at close of entries
Format and grouping to be finalised and communicated after registration closes
Team composition
6 players on court at any time
2 substitutes, Maximum 8 players per squad
Substitutions can be made an unlimited number of times during the match
Substitutions must be made during a dead ball (between rallies), not mid-rally
game format
First to 15, win by 2, wins the set and the match
If scores reach 20-20 (golden point), the next point wins outright
If the match is abandoned mid-set (rain, time cutoff), the team with the higher point differential at the stoppage is declared winner
serving rules
Server must wait for the umpire's signal/whistle before serving — serving before the signal is a fault
Server stands behind the back line
Service must be completed within 5 seconds of the umpire's signal
Underarm or overarm serve permitted
Server may not step on or over the back line until the ball has crossed the net
Service ball must not touch the net — any net contact on a serve is a fault, regardless of where the ball lands afterward (this does not apply to rallies — see Net Rebound below)
Receiving team must catch the serve cleanly on the first attempt — a double touch on the return of serve is a fault
service rotation
Service rotates to the next player in serving order each time a team wins back the serve (side-out)
Only the serving turn rotates — players are not required to rotate court positions/zones
catching and throw rules
Ball must be caught and controlled with the hands — no scooping, palming, or juggling
Maximum hold time: 3 seconds from catch to release
No sideways or backward passing to a teammate — the ball must go back over the net on the same throw
Switching the ball between hands while holding it is a fault
Double touch — two players touching/catching the ball on the same play — is a fault
Player must stay on their feet while catching — sliding or diving to catch is a fault
Net rebound: if the ball touches the net during a rally (not on serve) and stays in play without touching the ground, play continues normally
faults - points to opposing team
Serving before the umpire's signal
Server crosses or steps on the back line before the ball crosses the net
Service ball touches the net
Double touch (on serve return or during a rally)
Switching the ball between hands
Ball held beyond 3 seconds
Sideways/backward pass instead of returning over the net
Sliding or diving catch
Player crosses the centre line into the opponent's court
Player steps into the neutral zone during play
Body part other than the hands used to catch or direct the ball
fair play
- Umpire's decision is final
- Organising Committee's decision is binding in disputes
- Abusive or foul language = player or team suspension
- Only team captains may approach the referee or organising committee