2011 Volleyball RULEBOOK 

Payments are due in full prior to participation.  Payments consist of team fees, individual fees, or sub fees. Payments cover permitting, equipment, officiating, management, credit card fees, and general insurance costs. Team fees and individual fees may be paid online with a credit card on our encrypted/secure site, or on site with cash/check.  A bounced check will result in a $15 processing fee. Captains must prepay in order to register a team.  Corporate/company sponsors are welcome.  

TMSSC Operation/Refund Policy 
TMSSC leagues are viable with a minimum of four (4) teams per league. Pre-season cancellation fees are 30% of total fees due and cancellation MUST be requested IN WRITING via fax, USPS mail, or email at least three (3) business days prior to the start of the league. Business days are considered to be Monday through Friday. No phone call cancellations are allowed. There are no refunds for any league already started or ready to start within three (3) business days. If a league does not become viable, full refunds will be given if a team does not want, or cannot, be placed in another TMSSC league. 
League times and locations are as listed. However, TMSSC reserves the right to change specific league locations and operating times as necessary due to any required scheduling changes either on a weekly or seasonal basis. TMSSC also reserves the right to shorten any league due to multiple weather cancellations or unforeseen circumstances without any refund or credits provided. 

TMSSC allows individuals to register as Free Agents. Once a Free Agent agrees to be placed onto a specific team, payment is required and only pre-season cancellation is permitted as outlined above. 
Any discount programs being offered may not be combined. All league fees must be paid in full as listed by each sport and/or event. Team or individual registration processed online, faxed or mailed constitutes an agreement to provide full payment to TMSSC. For sponsored teams, any fees paid by an individual for a team may be refunded upon an equal payment provided by a third party to TMSSC with reference to league/location. 

All TMSSC sport leagues and social events have a minimum age requirement of 21 years old. All TMSSC participants must be in good health to participate. TMSSC reserves the right to refuse any individual or team without explanation. All participants of each TMSSC league or event must sign a waiver of liability to participate. Failure or refusal to waive liability will result in non-participation for that individual and will void any refund  Failure to abide by TMSSC rules and regulations will result in forfeiture of league/event participation and void any refunds. 

Schedules/Holidays
Start/end dates and game times are posted on each league's homepage. Start/end dates and game times are subject to change based on field availability, rainouts, and unforeseen circumstances which may arise. Schedules are posted after registration is closed and all payments have been received. Schedule requests must come from team captains, and must be submitted in writing at least three [3] business days prior to the start of Week 1 games. TMSSC Directors will make every effort to honor each schedule request. However, TMSSC Directors reserve the right to schedule any team for any of the advertised dates and game times posted on the league homepage. Bye requests will likely result in teams playing doubleheaders before or after their week off. 

The following holidays will be automatic byes for all leagues: 
New Years Day (Jan. 1) 
Memorial Day Weekend (Friday-Monday) 
Fourth of July Weekend (Friday-Sunday) 
Labor Day Weekend (Friday-Monday) 
Thanksgiving Weekend (Wednesday-Sunday) 
Christmas Eve through New Years Eve (Dec. 23 - Dec. 31) 

Unless parks/venues are closed, games will be scheduled for the following holidays unless a majority of teams request a bye prior to Week 1: MLK Weekend, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day Weekend, Easter Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco De Mayo, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, & Veteran's Day.

Eligibility/Rosters
Every player must preregister online, accept the league waiver, prepay in full (if applicable),and provide a photo ID before playoff games. With the exception of the photo ID rule, these rules cannot be waived by an opposing team captain.  Each player is limited to one roster per league per season.

Assault & Battery
Any coach, participant, or spectator who, in the judgment of TMSSC staff, engages in an attempt to fight immediately before, during or after a sponsored event is suspended from further participation in TMSSC activities. Behavior classified as fighting includes, but is not limited to: 

·       striking or attempting to strike an individual 

·       throwing a punch at an individual 

·       spitting on/at an individual 

·       kicking or attempting to kick an individual 

·       engaging an individual in a combative manner

·       brandishing an object/weapon with intent to harm, injure, or intimidate

·       retaliating against an aggressive act

No refunds will be issued for expulsions. The minimum suspension for fighting is 365 days for all leagues, tournaments, and social events. Based on factors such as the individual's prior record, reinstatement meeting, and precedent cases, a decision is generally rendered within 48 hours. Written notice and/or a phone call regarding the decision rendered is made to the individual or team at the email address or phone number provided.

Ejections will be made for verbal and abusive language to other players, spectators, or TMSSC staff members. If ejected, player(s) will be subject to a minimum 1-game suspension. 

CHAPTER 2004-276 
Section 1. Section 784.081, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 
784.081 Assault or battery on sports officials or employees; reclassification of offenses- 
If such offense is committed upon the sports official when he or she is actively participating as a sports official in an athletic contest or immediately following such athletic contest, and when the person committing the offense knows or has reason to know the identity or position or employment of the victim, the offense for which the person is charged shall be reclassified as follows: 
(a)(1) In the case of aggravated battery, from a felony of the second degree to a felony of the first degree. 
(b)(2) In the case of aggravated assault, from a felony of the third degree to a felony of the second degree. 
(c)(3) In the case of battery, from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the third degree. 
(d)(4) In the case of assault, from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Forfeit
A team must be ready to play by 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time or the game will be declared a forfeit.  To play a legal game, a team must have at least 3 players (at least 1 female) on the court at 10 minutes past game time.  A scrimmage will take place if the game results in a forfeit.  A team using a suspended player forfeits all games that the suspended player participates in. Teams knowingly using such a player may face additional sanctions.  Two forfeits by any team during a single season may result in expulsion from the league with no registration fees refunded to the team or its players.

Game Stoppage
Call the Rainline (800.497.1852 ext. 4) for weather updates.  In the case of inclement weather, darkness, serious injury, or other harmful conditions, any match in which one teams has 2 wins and a lead in the postponed game of at least 2 points will constitute a legal match. The team with 2 wins and a lead of at least 2 points at the time of postponement will be declared the winner. 

Game Rules
1. Game Length-
There is a 55-minute time limit on all matches. Matches will consist of a best 3-of-5 game series. The first three games will be played to 21 (rally scoring, win by at least 2). If a 4th game is required, it will be played to 21 (rally scoring, win by at least 2). If a 5th game is required, it will be played to 15 (rally scoring, win by at least 2).  If time expires during the 5th game, the team with the lead by at least 2 will be declared the winner.

2. Equipment-
Teams may use the ball(s) provided by staff or any ball both opponents agree to use.  Nets and lines are provided by park/venue staff.  Players must play barefoot or in socks.  Cleats, sandals, tennis shoes, and crocs are prohibited.

3. Teams-
Teams consist of four players (2 men & 2 women) on the court at once. Three players (including 1 woman) are required to start and continue a match without forfeit.  The team fee covers 8 players.  Additional players pay $10.

4. Players-
Every player must preregister and accept the league waiver prior to participation.  Players can join at any time during the regular season. Teams risk a forfeit by fielding an ineligible player.  Every player must provide a photo ID before each playoff game.  Only an opposing captain or TMSSC staff member may waive this requirement.

5. Pre-Game-
The home team will have choice of serve or side.  The visiting team has the remaining choice. Teams will switch sides and possession in subsequent games.

6. Positions-
At the time of service, all players (except the server) must be inside the boundaries of the court. Players do not have to play in set positions or rotate.  Players may sub in during any dead ball, so long as they adhere to the service order.

7. Service-
Players must maintain the same service order throughout the match.  Every player on the court must be in the service order.  A team can insert a new player into their service order at any time.  A legal serve will take place from behind the team’s end line anywhere inside the sidelines. The serving player must remain behind the end line until the ball has been served. If player serves in the air, he/she can land on or inside the line. A legal serve must cross the net between the poles. A legal serve can touch the net on the way over. An opponent cannot leave the ground to attack a serve. However, an opponent can leave the ground to pass a serve. 

8. Net Play-
A ball must cross over the net between the poles (hitting the pole is out of bounds). Player contact with the net/pole is prohibited. A player may block the ball beyond/over the net provided that he/she does not interfere with opponent’s play. A player may cross under the net provided he/she does not interfere with opponent’s play.

9. Coed Play-
A maximum of 2 men may play on the court at any given time.  Men can substitute for women provided that the sub does not violate the 2-men maximum.  If a ball is touched more than once on a side, at least one of the touches must be made by a woman.  Both captains may agree to waive this rule prior to the start of the 1st game.

10. Volley-
A team may touch the ball a maximum of 3 times before sending the ball over the net.  Players may touch the ball with their feet, knees, and head.  Consecutive touches by one player is prohibited.

11. Sportsmanship-
Only the team captain may argue a rule interpretation. Arguing in or out calls, net violations, or any other judgment call will result in a team warning, followed by an ejection for subsequent offenses. Players can be ejected for excessive arguing, verbal abuse of players or referees, fighting, spitting, foul language, or dangerous play. An ejected player can be ordered to vacate the park at any time and for any reason by TMSSC staff. Failure to obey an order by staff can result in a team forfeit. Ejected players are subject to a suspension for the 2nd match of a doubleheader (ref/staff's discretion) and one or more matches later in the season (Directors' discretion), depending on the severity of the ejection.