2024 Spike & Dig Rule Sheet

Saturday, August 3rd & Sunday, August 4th; Merkel Fields (near the VA Hospital) in Spokane WA

(a) Before each match, every player must legibly sign their name to the match score sheet (which includes a waiver of liability). Important: this means the Team Captain must not sign for all players & the match cannot start until completed (possible forfeit if not).

(b) Teams must have a minimum of two females on the court at all times; teams may play with less than six people as long as the two female minimum rule is followed (ie, even just two females, one male and two females, etc.); no ghost position needed

(c) As usual, there will be Court Marshals rotating through the entire playing area. All Court Marshals are local certified volleyball referees volunteering their time. For questions, injuries, problems or disputes, please find the nearest Court Marshal or send a team member to the Master Scoreboard area. They will in turn find someone to help with injuries or fix equipment; they will try their best to answer your questions or resolve issues (or find someone who can). Appeals of decisions made by a Court Marshal may be made to the Head Court Marshal (HCM), whose decision is final.

(d) All matches should start promptly at the top of the hour but must be completed by 5 minutes before the top of the next hour (even if they get a late start---except for special circumstances with the approval of the HCM). Please be sure that both Team Captains have decided who serves first (rock/paper/scissors) and which team is providing the scorekeeper, prior to the top of the hour.

(e) Following the USA rules format, all SETS (no longer called games) will be rally scoring (ie, a point is scored on every serve; eg, a point and the serve goes to the receiving team when the serving team serves long). Each match will be two out of three SETS with the first two SETS scored to 25 and the third SET, if necessary, to 15 (switch sides when either team reaches 8 points in the third SET only). One variation from the usual rules---it is not necessary to win by 2 points at Spike & Dig---the first team to 25 (15 in SET 3) is the winner of that set or even the match, even if only ahead by 1 point when time runs out.

(f) The third SET (if necessary) will begin immediately after the second SET and after the Team Captains have determined serve/side; if match time is over, (ie, 55 minutes after the hour) the team that is ahead is the winner, even if by I point. If even the second SET is not finished, then total points from all SETS played will determine the winner. If still tied, the next point wins.

(g) There are no scorekeepers provided by Spike & Dig; the two Team Captains should initiate getting the score sheet signed by their players, getting a person on the sidelines to keep score, keep time, etc. Please get play started on time (at the top of the hour or even early if the court is not currently being used and both teams are ready)---if not, it just reduces your playing time.

(h) Court Marshals are not to keep score; each team should have an extra person who can; perhaps one from each team can work together.

(i) Ask your scorekeepers to advise both teams when there are 5 minutes left in the match (ie, 50 minutes after the hour).

(g) Each team should provide a ball and the team who serves first will decide which ball to use in that SET; the ball can change each SET.

(k) A 30 second timeout per team will be allowed in SETS 1 and 2; either team can take the full 30 seconds when a timeout has been called; there will be no timeouts in the 3rd SET when the match is usually time critical.

(l)If a team is not ready to play by 15 minutes after the hour, they forfeit the first SET; the second SET and thus the match will be forfeited at 30 minutes after the hour. Be sure to confirm your next court assignment (Scoreboard) after each match; they can change.

(m) Normal volleyball clockwise rotation after each side out is mandatory (ie, no player is always in the front row or back row). There are no liberos or defensive specialists at Spike & Dig (that would require a libero tracker, etc.). However, substitutions are allowed freely between serves, so long as no rotation change happens and 2 females are on the court.

(n) The court lines (ropes) are in---if the line moves, the ball is in-bounds; try to keep the lines as straight as possible (lift and snap).

(o) Please call out the score before each serve so scorekeeper hears it; if you do not, then a team has no basis to dispute a later scoring issue.

(p) Any attempted or actual blocking/spiking of the receipt of serve by the receiving team is an automatic point for the serving team; please note this includes a serve which is clearly going long or wide. In other words, no intimidation is allowed.

(q) Players can serve from anywhere behind their end line but must stay within the extensions of the two sidelines; at the time of serve all other players must have both feet within court boundaries. It is permissible to step back into another court in order to serve but only if the other court is between serves and not actively playing at the moment.

(r) There are no antennas, center lines, or 10 foot attack lines; call your own team for obvious violations and replay any close calls or disputes; if you call a Court Marshal over, that is all he/she is going to do since they did not see the play and are not refereeing the match.

(s) Since there is no center line, it is legal for players to step under the net so long as there is no interference or physical contact with the other teams’ players. There should never be any contact with the net or poles during play. Note: USA rules allow incidental net contact but due to the fragility of nets and poles while playing on a grass surface, Spike & Dig does not.

(t) Players cannot step into an adjacent court to hit a ball in play (even if empty); if they do, it is their opponent’s point.

(u) Players are strongly encouraged to wear shoes for their own safety (sprinkler heads, etc.); no spikes or cleats are allowed.

(v) One re-serve per service term (not per serve) will be allowed; this is to allow for the outdoor wind and sun conditions. You may either catch the ball or let it drop to the ground before reserving. A replay/re-serve when another ball or player comes onto your court does not count as your one allowed re-serve. Net serves, where the ball touches the net but still goes over the net, have been permissible for the last several years in USA Rules.

(w) Players are asked to play on the honor system and call themselves for violations---especially nets, double hits and carries; if there is a dispute, it should be decided by replay. For serious questions about rule interpretation, a Court Marshal should be found by one of the extra players or spectators and play should continue unless it is a SET determining issue.

(x) Stop play if there is any blood or serious injury; notify a Court Marshal who will get help from the first aid station which is located near the Master Scoreboard area. Golf carts are available to transport injured players to the first aid tent. Call 911 if necessary.

(y) Immediately following the match, the winning Team Captain is responsible for taking the scoresheet to the Master Scoreboard.

(z) Rules not specifically addressed above will be governed by current USA Outdoor Volleyball Rules. The HCM has a rule book at the Court Marshal area near the Master Scoreboard; again, his interpretation for the Spike & Dig tournament is final.

(aa) Sunday play is a modified single elimination; each team will play a minimum of two matches but after first match, next loss means out.

(bb) Only players on the official team roster are allowed to play; NOTE: no players can be added on Sunday after 9am; be sure to bring ID in case there is a challenge; if you cannot prove that you are that person on the roster for that team, then you cannot play.

(cc) PLEASE---NO PETS, ALCOHOL OR TOBACCONAPING ARE TO BE BROUGHT ONTO THE CITY PROPERTY.

(dd) Think safety---bring plenty of water (stay hydrated) and sun tan lotion (pace your exposure over the two days).

(ee) If there are any questions, please bring them to the Captain’s Meeting on Saturday at 8:30am or come to the Marshal area. Thanks for your support of Spike & Dig. ABOVE ALL, BE A GOOD SPORT, BE SAFE, and HAVE FUN. Phil Robinson, HCM

RELEASE AND VOLUNTARY WAIVER This Voluntary Waiver and Release Agreement (“Agreement”) is hereby executed by the undersigned, or if the undersigned is under the age of 18 years, then the undersigned’s parent or legal guardian, together with any heir, successor, representative or assign (collectively “Participant”), in favor and for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Organizers (as defined herein). In connection with Participant’s involvement in a contest, promotional activity or in any other event which may take place at Spike & Dig or which involves the use of Dwight Merkel or any of the fields or facilities at Spike & Dig or Spokane Parks by Participant including, without limitation, the volleyball tournament (collectively “Event”), Participant hereby agrees and acknowledges to Spokane Spike & Dig, City of Spokane, and any of the respective Event sponsors or promoters, including, without limitation, all charities benefiting from the Event, individually and collectively, together with each of their respective affiliates, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members, board members, sponsors, volunteers, tenants, contractors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively “Organizers”), that a strenuous activity, such as volleyball, is potentially hazardous, and Participant hereby assumes all risks associated with participating in the Event, including, without limitation, falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather and the condition of playing surfaces. Furthermore, Participant expressly and unconditionally assumes all risks and dangers known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, and relating or incidental to Participant’s involvement in the Event and any activity associated therewith. Participant hereby releases, forever discharges and holds harmless the Organizers from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, death, personal injury or property damage of any kind or nature, arising out of or relating to Participant’s involvement in the Event and all activities associated therewith. Participant further agrees that the Organizers shall have the right to record, broadcast and otherwise exploit in any and all media throughout the world Participant’s involvement in the Event and to use Participant’s name, likeness, voice and biographical information in connection therewith.

SPORTSMANSHIP PLEDGE I realize and accept that I am responsible for the conduct of myself, my teammates and my fans. If I or any person associated with my team fails to behave in a sportsmanlike manner, I realize that I, my team and our fans may be ejected from the tournament and asked to leave the site and not return.