Rules and Regulations for Leagues and Tournaments

1. Teams will play 3 games per match

2. Service Sequence:

    a. Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the            first service sequence of each new game).

    b. The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.

    c. If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.

    d. As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses          the serve.

    e. When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence      of the game*).

    f. The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.

    g. Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have        the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.

3. Serving:

a. The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck.

b. Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level.

c. The head of the paddle must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact.

d. A ‘drop serve’ is also permitted in which case none of the elements above apply.

e. Spin serves are not allowed. The server shall use only one hand to release the ball to perform the serve. If the ball is visibly spun by the server during the release, the part(s) of the hand contacting the ball must be bare.

4. Regular Scoring:

    a. Points are scored only by the serving team.

    b. Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.

    c. When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10…) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the      right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9…) that player will be in the left-side court when serving or receiving.

5. Double Bounce Rule:

    a. When the ball is served the player on the receiving side must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. When the ball is returned to          the serving side the ball must again bounce once before being hit. After the ball has bounced once on each side the ball can be hit              without bouncing as long as you aren’t in the no-volley zone 7 feet from the net.

6. Non-Volley Zone:

    a. The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.

    b. Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.

    c. It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum          causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.

    d. It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is                  declared dead before this happens.

    e. A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.

    f. The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”

7. If a team cannot make their match, they MUST contact the other team at least 24 hours prior to their match time. Both parties MUST agree to reschedule the match that is to be played (match must be rescheduled within the league time frame) If there is no contact at least 24 hours prior to match time, the team that could not play/did not show up, must forfeit.

    a. The 24-hour rule can be waived for a medical or family emergency

8. NO Subs are allowed. You may bring a sub in order to play a match, but the team with the sub would automatically forfeit the match.

Blood Rule:

A player who is bleeding or who has blood on his or her uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered. If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is left up to the program director’s judgement.

Language Rule:

The language rule is in effect for all players and leagues, sponsored by Lebanon Parks and Recreation. For the first offense for the use of an obscenity, the program director will issue a warning to that player’s team. Any player from that team who uses any profanity after the warning will be ejected. That player will be required to leave the court. If a team does not have enough players to continue the game, that game will be forfeited.

Taunting Rule:

The taunting rule is in effect for the players and leagues sponsored by the Lebanon Parks and Recreation. For the first offense of taunting, the program director will issue a warning to that player’s team. Any player from that team who taunts after the warning will be ejected. That player will be required to leave the court. If a team does not have enough players to continue the game, that game will be forfeited.