Sand Volleyball League Rules - Revolutions Lanes

Facility Rules

NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK. Absolutely no outside food or drink is permitted anywhere on Revolutions Lanes property, including the volleyball courts, patio areas, and Bowling Center. Food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages for players 21+) are available for purchase from our bar and kitchen. Coolers, carry-in snacks, and outside drinks are not allowed. Free courtside water is provided — water jugs are stationed at the courts for refills, so there is no need to bring water from home or wait at the bar between points.

Getting to the Courts (Entry & Exit). Enter through the center front doors, then out the bar door to reach the outside volleyball area. When you are finished playing, please exit through the outside gate — it will be unlocked for exit — instead of walking back through the building. This keeps sand out of the Bowling Center.

⚠ RESTROOM ACCESS — PLEASE READ. Always enter through the BAR DOOR when using the restrooms. This keeps sand off the bowling center carpets and helps us keep the building clean for everyone. Rinse or brush the sand off your feet before entering.

No Referees for the First Session. League play in Session 1 is self-officiated. Teams are expected to make honest calls and resolve disputes at the net. If both teams cannot agree, replay the point. Team captains are responsible for keeping their players playing in good sportsmanship. Referees may be introduced in later sessions.

Every Player Must Sign a Waiver Before Their First Match. When a team registers online, the captain signs the Adult Participant Waiver for themselves and immediately receives a Team Waiver Signing Link. The captain shares that link with the whole roster, and each player signs their own waiver online before their first match. Players who prefer may instead sign in person at the check-in table — show up 10–15 minutes early on your first night. Unsigned players cannot play. For youth leagues, a parent or guardian must sign the Parent/Guardian Waiver (online through the same team link, or in person) for each minor player before that player takes the court.

Additional Facility Expectations

Respect the property, the equipment, and other players and guests.
Wear appropriate athletic attire. Bare feet are permitted on the sand.
Do not leave trash in the sand courts, patio, or common areas.
No pets of any kind are allowed on the sand courts, on the surrounding grass and deck/patio areas, or inside the Bowling Center. Service animals as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are the only exception and are always welcome.
Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated outdoor areas away from the courts.
Alcohol is only permitted for guests 21+ and only when purchased on-site. No open containers off-property.
Parking is available on-site. Do not block entrances or fire lanes.
Parking after August 13, 2026: On-site parking will be limited, so some volleyball players may be asked to park in the adjacent shopping center lot and walk over to the courts. This keeps the closest spots open for bowlers, who often have heavy bowling balls and gear to carry into the center. Thank you for your understanding.

Team Composition

Team size: Standard 6-on-6 format. Six players play on the court at a time. Teams may roster additional players as substitutes.
Coed requirements: Coed leagues require a minimum of 2 women on the court at all times. Recommended lineup is 3 women / 3 men when possible.
Playing short-handed: Teams may play with fewer than 6 players rather than forfeit, including by mutual agreement of both captains. Once a team has 3 or more players on the court, at least one of them must be female (coed guy/girl rule); at 5+ on the court the standard 2-women minimum applies.
Subs: Substitutes must be on your official roster. Non-roster subs may be allowed by mutual captain agreement in the first session only.
Youth leagues: Middle School and High School league players must be within their school grade level. Age verification may be requested. A parent or guardian must remain present for the duration of all Middle School matches (no drop-offs).
Late arrivals: A player arriving after the first set starts may enter on the next sideout.

Match Format

Match: Every match is 3 sets, and all 3 sets are played each match. Every set counts — points are recorded and totaled across the session to determine league standings and the session winner.
All sets: Rally scoring to 21, must win by 2, cap at 25.
Warm-ups: Teams share the court for 3–5 minutes of warm-up before the first set.
Coin flip / rock-paper-scissors: Determines first serve and side.
Switch sides: Teams switch sides after each set.

Playing Rules

Serving

Serves must be from behind the end line. Foot faults on the line result in a sideout.
Overhand, underhand, and jump serves are permitted.
The serve may contact the net and continue play (let serves are in).
Only one toss attempt per serve; a re-toss results in a fault.
The server has 8 seconds after the whistle / call of "ready" to serve.

Ball Handling

Maximum of 3 hits per side (a block does not count as a hit).
No open-hand tipping ("dinks"). Attacks must be with a closed fist, roll shot, or clean spike.
Double contacts on the first ball (dig) are allowed if part of a single action.
Setting the ball over the net on the second hit must travel perpendicular to the setter's shoulders.
Lifts, carries, and prolonged contact are faults.
A player may not contact the ball twice in succession (except after a block).

Coed Rules

If a team makes contact with the ball more than once on a side, at least one contact must be by a female player, unless the only contact is a block.
When a male player attacks from in front of the 10-foot line, the ball must be contacted below the top of the net (unless the attack is from behind the 10-foot line).

Net & Boundaries

Touching the net during play is a fault, except for hair and loose clothing that does not affect play.
Reaching over the net to block is allowed only after the opposing team has completed its attack.
The ball is in if any part touches the line. Boundary lines are considered "in."
Players may go outside the court to play a ball.
A ball hitting the antenna, net cables, or non-playable area is out.

Sportsmanship & Conduct

Treat opposing players, teammates, and Revolutions Lanes staff with respect at all times.
Abusive language, taunting, or intimidation may result in a point loss, forfeiture, or removal from the League without refund.
Team captains are responsible for their team's behavior on and off the court.
Any physical altercation results in immediate ejection from the League.
Under the influence of illegal drugs is grounds for immediate removal.
Alcohol is only permitted for players 21+ and only when purchased on-site. Visibly intoxicated players may be pulled from play.
Youth league players and their parents are held to the same conduct standards.

Attendance, Forfeits & Rescheduling

Grace period: 10 minutes past scheduled start time. After that, the missing team forfeits the first set. 20 minutes past = full match forfeit.
Reschedules: Matches are only rescheduled due to weather cancellations, and only if an open make-up time is available on the schedule. Reschedules are not offered for team availability, conflicts, or absences.
Forfeits: Repeated forfeits (2+) may result in removal from the League without refund.
Season entry is non-refundable after July 22, 2026 (the signup deadline). Refund requests before that date are honored; no refunds are issued after July 22, 2026.

Weather & Cancellations

Play continues in light rain. Games are suspended for lightning, thunder, high winds, or unsafe conditions at the League's discretion.
Cancellation decisions are typically made 1–2 hours before the first match. Check email, our Facebook page, text updates, or call (816) 259-3814.
Cancelled matches are rescheduled to the next available make-up date. Not all cancelled matches will be made up if the schedule cannot accommodate them.
If play begins and is stopped due to weather, the completed set(s) stand; the incomplete set is resumed at the next make-up.

Injuries & Emergencies

Stop play immediately for any suspected injury. Report all injuries to Revolutions Lanes staff.
An injured player may be substituted; if no substitute is available, the team plays short.
An AED and first-aid kit are available inside the Bowling Center. Ask any staff member.
All players sign a liability waiver (online or in person) before their first match, acknowledging that sand volleyball involves risk of injury.
For emergencies, call 911. St. Joseph EMS response time is typically 5–7 minutes.

Standings & Playoffs

Standings are based on total points collected across all sets played during the session. Because all 3 sets are played every match, every point matters.
Tiebreakers, in order: head-to-head record, then overall point differential.
End-of-session playoff or champion format is determined by league size and will be communicated at least 2 weeks before the session ends.

Questions?

Contact us at (816) 259-3814 or volleyball@revolutionslanes.com.

Revolutions Lanes reserves the right to update these rules as needed. Registered captains will be notified of any changes.

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