CATHOLIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (CAA) VOLLEYBALL RULES
CAA uses Minnesota State High School League Rules with the following modifications listed below.
1. Teams shall consist of six players on a side; CAA does NOT use the LIBERO POSITION.
a. Points will be awarded by rally scoring; games are won when a team reaches 25 or 15 points in the tie-breaking game. All games will have a cap of 27 points or 17 points, respectively.
b. If two or more matches are scheduled at a site, all matches shall be the best of three. When teams split the first two games, the third game shall be played to determine the winning team. When one or two matches are scheduled, all three games will be played, time permitting.
2. “A” Squad coaches must submit a line-up sheet to the referee before the start of each game. Line-up sheet may be downloaded/printed from the CAA website (www.stpaulcaa.org). Substitutions are allowed on a player-for-player basis only; maximum of 18 substitutions per game applies.
b. “B” Squad players (7th grade & under) may take one step into the court when serving underhand; overhand servers may not step into the court. After a player serves five consecutive points, that team keeps the serve, but serve rotates to the next player in the rotation. Substitutions are free; however, if the team chooses to rotate-in players rather than using substitutions, the team must continue that method for that game. Maximum of 18 substitutions per game applies.
c. “C” Squad players (6th grade & under) may move up as far as necessary to underhand serve; where a server moves up shall be at the referee's discretion. Overhand servers may not step into the court. After a player serves five consecutive points, that team keeps the serve, but serve rotates to the next player in the rotation. Substitutions are free; however, if the team chooses to rotate-in players rather than using substitutions, the team must continue that method for that game. Maximum of 18 substitutions per game applies.
3. When a team sides-out/receives the serve, that team must rotate.
a. Play starts & ends with the referee's whistle; server has five seconds to serve the ball after the referee’s whistle; a player who fails to serve within five seconds loses the serve and their team forfeits their turn-of-service/side-out.
b. One re-serve is allowed during each player’s turn-of-service.
c. Players may set a serve; however, a serve may NOT be blocked or attacked/“spiked.”
d. On a Net Serve, (when the ball hits the net and then legally crosses over the top of net into the opponent’s court), it is considered a legal serve & the ball is “live” and playable by the opposing team. Net Serves not crossing over top of net or landing out-of-bounds results in a side-out.
4. The ball must be contacted above a player’s waist.
a. Multiple successive contacts (shoulder, arm) are not legal unless they are the team's first hit or when a player is attempting to play an attacked/“spiked” ball. A ball may contact two body parts above the waist at the same time (simultaneous contact) and be considered a legal play.
b. Blocking and/or Blocking Attempts do not count as one of a team's three hits.
c. Teams should arrive thirty minutes before their match is scheduled to begin.
d. The home team should provide a qualified scorekeeper, warm-up balls, a game ball and an adult(s) to supervise the gym/serve as site manager. This is not the function or role of the referee.
5. Referee attire is black pants and long or short sleeve white collared shirt.
a. Referees & Coaches: PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF & YOUR TEAMS with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL SIGNALS located on page 60 in the 2008-2009 Volleyball Rules Book.
b. From warm-up through end of match play, players are prohibited from chewing gum or having lozenges, hard candy, etc., in their mouths.
c. Jewelry shall not be worn by players during warm-ups and/or during match play. Medic Alert & religious medals are not considered jewelry; medals must be taped to the body & worn under uniform; however, Medic Alert may be visible. Officials should address jewelry issues with the coach; the coach is to inform their players. Infractions of this rule can result in a side-out.
d. Volleyball Rules are on CAA website; it is recommended that a copy of the rules be downloaded and brought to matches in case there are questions about rules or play during matches.
Questions about CAA Volleyball Rules and/or match play? Please call Travelle at 651-291-0668, or Katie at 651-766-8062. Voice-messages left for either person will be answered as soon as possible.
