MEANWHILE SAND VOLLEYBALL RULES

At Meanwhile, we’re here for the fun and camaraderie of beach volleyball! To keep the good times rolling, here’s how we play:

We play by USAV rules—check out the detailed rules here.

PLAYING ROSTER
If your team shows up short of the minimum players at game time, you’ll forfeit the first set. If you’re still short 15 minutes after the scheduled start, it’s a forfeit for the match.

Sixes:

Max Players: 6

Min Players: 4

Max Males: 3

Min Females: 2

Teams with fewer than six players must stick to a consistent formation (e.g., 2 in front, 3 in back) for the entire set. Players can’t play both front and back row.

Fours:
Max Players: 4
Min Players: 3
Max Males: 2
Min Females: 2

Fours teams can use any formation, as long as the serving rotation stays on point.

The only time there can be less than the minimum number of females in play is if the team is playing short a player.

ROTATION
When your team earns the right to serve, rotate one position clockwise. Substitutions can only happen during rotation and should replace the next server, unless it’s due to an injury. Injured players can be substituted at any time.

FORMAT
Matches are best of three. Teams will switch serve and sides after the first set. Except during playoffs, all three sets will be played and counted toward standings, even if one team wins the first two.

Before the first set, teams will meet with the Referee to discuss ground rules and decide serve and side with a game of rock, paper, scissors. The winning team picks either serve or side; the other team gets the remaining option.

To win a set (except the third), be the first to score 21 points with at least a 2-point lead or 25 points outright. The third set goes to the first team to score 15 points with a 2-point lead or 17 points. If the third set won’t affect the match outcome and time is short, the referee can adjust the winning point value.

Rally scoring rules apply: points are scored by grounding the ball on the opponent’s side, when they commit a fault, or when they receive a penalty.

PLAYING AREA
The courts measure 30 by 60 feet, and the nets are set at approximately 7 feet from the top tape to the sand.

OFFICIALS
Meanwhile will provide officials for each match. Remember, arguing with the officials isn’t part of our vibe!

BALL “IN”
The ball is “in” when it touches the sand of the court, including boundary lines.

BALL “OUT”
The ball is “out” when:
- It lands completely outside the boundary lines.
- It enters the playing area of an adjacent court.
- It touches anything outside the court or a person out of play.
- It hits the rope, post, or net outside the antenna, or touches the antenna itself.
- It crosses the vertical plane of the net outside of the antenna.
- It passes under the net.

EQUIPMENT
Meanwhile will provide one game volleyball for each match. If both team captains agree, an alternate game ball can be used.

TIMEOUTS
Each team gets one 30-second timeout per set. Timeouts don’t carry over.

TEAM HITS
A team may have up to three hits to return the ball. A player can’t hit the ball twice in succession. The ball can touch any part of the body, but it must be hit—not caught or thrown.

BLOCKING
A block doesn’t count as a hit. The first hit after a block can be made by any player, including one who touched the ball during the block.

PLAY AT THE NET
The ball may touch the net, even on service. A blocker can touch the ball beyond the net as long as it doesn’t interfere with the opponent’s attack. Contact with the net is okay if it doesn’t disrupt play. A foot may touch the opponent’s court if it’s not excessive and doesn’t interfere. If the ball drives into the net and touches an opponent, no fault is called.

SERVICE
Jump serves aren’t allowed. If the serving team wins a rally, they score a point and keep serving. If the receiving team wins, they score a point and gain the right to serve. Blocking a serve isn’t allowed, nor is attacking a serve while it’s above the net height. The server must not step on or cross the endline at the moment of service.

FAULTS
Here’s what to watch for:
- Hit Out: A player hits or blocks the ball out.
- Catch: The ball is caught or thrown, or doesn’t rebound from a hit.
- Double Contact: A player hits the ball twice or it contacts various body parts in succession.
- Four Hits: A team hits the ball four times before returning it.
- Back Row Attack: A back-row player attacks or blocks from the front row.
- Service Attack: Attacking the opposing team’s service is a fault.
- Service Block: Blocking the opponent’s service from the front row is a fault.
- Service Fault: Improperly executing the service.
- Net Interference: Contacting the net and interfering with play.
- Interference Beyond the Net: Contacting the ball beyond the net before an opponent’s attack.
- Penetration Under the Net: Entering the opponent’s space under the net and interfering.
- Illegal Rotation, Illegal Substitution, Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Keep it friendly!

For any rules not mentioned here, we follow USAV guidelines for adult beach volleyball play.

STANDINGS
Teams earn three points for a win, one for a tie, and none for a loss. Rankings are determined by:
- Total Points
- Head-to-Head Results
- Total Sets Allowed
- Total Set Differential