PentaSport Volleyball League – Rules and Regulations

Updated March 26, 2025

 

1. LEAGUE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

1.1 As a non-profit organization, Pentasport Ministries (“Pentasport”) operates with a Board of Directors and Organizing Committee.

1.2 All planning in regards to each season of Pentasport is conducted by the Organizing Committee, with assistance from the Board of Directors on areas regarding league mission, vision, and structure.

2. LEAGUE FEES

2.1 Each team will pay a fee determined by the Pentasport Volleyball League — containing at least 8 weeks of regular season play and at least 2 weeks of playoffs.

2.2 Teams must pay a deposit of $100 upon acceptance to the league, done so via e-transfer. Registration deadlines will be announced accordingly, depending on each season. All deposits are non-refundable.

3. LEAGUE SEASON STRUCTURE

3.1 All league games are played on Thursday nights between 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at venues and locations within Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby. Venues are to be determined, and announced upon the release of the season schedule.

3.2 For regular season games, all results will be recorded with the following Point System:

    • Wins = 3 points
    • Tie = 1 point
    • Loss = 0 points

3.3 Regular Season: The regular season will run for at least 8 weeks. Game schedules will be released online one week prior to the start of the league. Schedule and locations are subject to change by the committee.

3.4 Playoffs: All teams automatically qualify to compete in the playoffs. Playoffs will take place following the regular season, and will run for at least 2 weeks. The structure and schedule for the playoffs will be announced following the final week of the regular season.

3.5 In the event a team is unable to meet the minimum required players (See Section 5 below) for their scheduled game and forfeit the game, fees will not be refunded.

3.6 Officiating: All league games are self-governed. Each team is responsible for calling their own fouls in each sport, unless otherwise stated. Refer to the ‘Rules’ section on the website for more information on rules.

3.7 Spirit Points: For regular season and playoff games, a Spirit Points rating will be recorded but does not directly affect the overall point standings.

All submissions are reviewed by the Organizing Committee each week. If the Committee finds any issue in Spirit Points Submissions, they will reach out to the respected captain(s) directly.

Spirit Points are to be submitted by the team captain in a timely matter following each game. Late submissions will incur a Spirit Point penalty for the week on the team submitting late. Deadline for each week’s submission will be provided at the start of the season by the Organizing Committee.

4. TEAM ELIGIBILITY

4.1 Each team must be affiliated with a Christian church within Metro Vancouver (see Statement of Faith).

4.2 Each team must provide a team name — may not exceed 25 characters, including spaces — and are also encouraged but not required to provide a team logo. Team names and connotations associated with the name must adhere to Pentasport values. All names and logos are subject for approval by the Organizing Committee. Teams must finalize their names two weeks prior to the start of the season. No changes will be granted thereafter, until the season is concluded.

4.3 Each team must have a Team Captain and one Assistant Captain to serve as the point of contact between the League and the team. All captains and assistant captains must fall under the “Church-based Player” category below. Captains are responsible for ensuring that their team meets the League’s Code of Conduct.

5. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND ROSTERS

5.1 Team captains are responsible for ensuring that all participants for their team are eligible to participate and the roster is sufficient to field an eligible team of 6 each week. Referencing “Player Eligibility” in Section 5 of https://pentasport.ca/rulesandregulations/, each team must have a minimum of  (8) members and maximum of (12) comprised of:

‘Church-based’ Player: A player who consistently attends the team’s stated church and campus — meaning, the player must attend at least 3 services per month at the stated church that is offered on Sunday morning, or an equivalent service on a different day/time. This excludes other ministries that a church may offer such as fellowships, small groups, Alpha, etc.
Min: 6
Max: 10

‘Other Church’ Player: A player who consistently attends a church other than the team’s stated church. This means that the player must attend at least 3 services per month at a church other than the team’s stated church. Players may be allowed to join any team under this category, even if the player’s own church already has a team in the league. A team is only permitted to have one ‘Other Church’ Player if there is only one ‘Invited’ Player. If the team has two ‘Invited’ Players, they will not be able to roster any ‘Other Church’ Players.
Min: 0
Max: 1 (if there is 1 or less invited player)

‘Invited’ Player: A player who does not attend, or attends less than 3 services per month at the team’s stated church or any other Christian church.
Min: 1
Max: 2

It is recommended to form teams with at least 6 core players (including Invited Player) and at least 2 substitutes. To ensure smooth gameplay and maintain the required gender ratio on the court, consider arranging substitutes to effectively cover for core players.

5.2 Each player is restricted to only one team for the entire season. Players cannot move between teams.

5.3 Eligibility and Player Category rules are strictly enforced and are only confirmed by each player themselves. Captains are responsible for confirming with players their player category to ensure their team roster complies with League Regulations.

5.4 Each team will require the church pastor to sign off on the validity of the roster, prior to the start of the season.

5.5 The minimum age to join the league is 16 years old. All minors between the age of 16 to 18 must also hand in a completed waiver form with parent / guardian’s signature.

5.6 Only players listed on the official roster as submitted by the team and approved by the Pentasport Committee, may participate in league games.

5.7 Waiver: All players, as submitted on the official roster by their team’s captain, must sign a league waiver prior to the team’s first game of the season. Any team with outstanding waivers from a player will forfeit their game(s) until the entire roster has completed the waiver.

5.8 Identification: Players may be asked to show their photo ID at each game. This is to ensure safety and fair play, when deemed appropriate. If photo ID is not presented or it does not match the names on the team roster, the player cannot participate. If the game has already started, the team that fails to provide photo ID accordingly will have to forfeit the game.

5.9 Roster changes: Teams are required to recruit all players prior to the start of the season, with complete rosters submitted before the deadline as announced by the Organizing Committee. Changes to the roster after the deadline must be approved by the Organizing Committee and are only granted in extraordinary cases.

5.10 Roster Deadline: The Roster Deadline is announced at the start of registration and teams are required to recruit all players prior to the start of the season. Changes to the roster following the deadline is prohibited to promote fairness.

5.11 Illegal Roster: Any team found violating the League’s regulation on player category eligibility or roster structure will be disqualified from playoffs.

5.12 If a team is found repeatedly or intentionally violating the League’s restrictions on player category, the League may impose further disciplinary actions up to and including suspension of the team’s participation in the Season.

5.13 Roster players must each play a minimum of one regular season game in order to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. If a player not on the official roster list participates in a game, the team will forfeit the game. No substitutions or “ringers” are allowed.

6. FREE AGENTS

6.1 The league will accept and try its best to place free agents — individuals who do not have a team to play for — onto existing teams. Free agents are required to contact the league at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the season.

6.2 Individuals who consistently attend a Christian church can only be considered a free agent IF their home church:

    • Does not have a team in the league’s upcoming season or; 
    • The team’s roster is already full.

If none of the conditions apply, the individual will be considered under the Other Church player category on the roster. Note: the maximum number of Other Church players on a roster remains at one (1).

6.3 Free agents will be considered a separate player category on a team roster. Teams are still required to ensure their roster abides by League Regulations on player-category and roster limitations.

6.4 Free agents will be placed onto teams at the discretion of the Pentasport Committee. There is no guarantee that a free agent will be provided a roster spot. Variables, such as needs assessment by team captains, availability, compatibility, and location, will be taken into account.

7. EQUIPMENT

7.1 Pentasport will provide a game ball, scoreboard, the gymnasium and nets. Teams may choose to use their own game ball if agreed upon by the teams.

7.2 Players must wear appropriate gym attire, including clean clothing, a shirt that covers the torso, and shorts of suitable length. Playing shirtless or wearing hoodies, jackets, or jeans is not permitted. Proper sports footwear is required. The following are not allowed: bare feet, sandals, slippers, flip-flops, marking shoes, dress shoes, metal-studded cleats, or boots. The league reserves the right to ask a player to change attire or deny participation if deemed inappropriate.

7.3 Players may not use clothing or accessories to provide unfair advantage, or unfairly inhibit or assist the movement of the ball.

7.4 Each team will take turns in being responsible for net setup.

7.5 During games, players are not permitted to wear jewelry that dangles, is loose, or could slide off. This includes rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other accessories that may cause/contribute to injury to others, or may damage property like others’ clothing or equipment. Players are to secure by taping down any permanent jewelry (that which cannot be taken off). Non-shattering eyeglasses are encouraged. Players are required to exercise common sense and are responsible for abiding by these rules. Pentasport is not in any way responsible for any lost, stolen, broken, or damaged jewelry.

8. SPORTSMANSHIP AND DISCIPLINE

8.1 Pentasport expects all players to be respectful and show sportsmanship to other league participants, representatives, and committee. The league reserves the right to refuse participation.

8.2 Pentasport expects all players to be respectful of venues, equipment, venue coordinators, janitorial staff, and individuals who are using the venues before, during, and after the league’s scheduled games. Food and drinks (except water) are prohibited from being consumed inside the venues — as per contractual agreement with the venues. Violation of this rule impacts Pentasport’s future abilities to rent locations, hence why a “no food or drinks” rule will be heavily enforced.

8.3 Pre- and Post- Game: To build relationships through sport and to foster unity, as per Pentasport’s Mission and Vision, teams will gather together prior to the game for a moment of prayer, announcements, and opportunity for questions, as led by the team representatives assigned by each team. This will be followed by a chance for both/all competing teams to introduce themselves and shake hands. After the game, players are also encouraged to shake hands / fist bump with the opposing team.

8.4 Pentasport is a non-contact recreational league. Any type of play or altercation that is deemed dangerous or unsafe are highly discouraged, and will be subject to verbal warning and, if continued, potential expulsion from the game and/or league. Disciplinary action will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Organizing Committee.

8.5 Any physical or aggressive altercations, behaviour, or serious breaches of spirit and sportsmanship will be automatically met with disciplinary actions, which could result in warnings, suspensions, or expulsion, as determined by the Organizing Committee. Players are not allowed to promote or engage in physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, disorderly or lewd conduct, and/or other conduct, which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any league participant.

8.6 Pentasport has a zero tolerance policy towards consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, or abuse of controlled substances during games. They are prohibited in all venues. If a player is visibly affected by the aforementioned substance(s) during game play, as identified by another player, or committee member, then the offender will be ejected from the game immediately and will be subjected to further disciplinary action.

8.7 Pentasport reserves the right to approve or deny a team’s final roster submissions, and may ask captains to adjust accordingly. Roster rules are intentionally regulated to provide a fair and foundational structure that help advance the vision and mission of the league, especially in regards to building community within the church. This means that Pentasport takes roster rules very seriously. Please seek clarification from the Organizing Committee first, if there is any confusion. Any attempts to knowingly circumvent the roster rules or provide false information may lead to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the league, by the Organizing Committee or Board of Directors.

Pentasport Indoor Volleyball – Rules

Updated March 26, 2025

•• Rules For Pentasport Volleyball League (Co-ed 6’s): To be eligible for playoffs, participants must play in at least 1 regular season games for their team. Team captains and their teams are expected to referee their own games accordingly and responsibly. Unlike Pentasport Multi-sport, there are no League Reps. If issues arise, team captains are expected to resolve it swiftly and fairly.••

A. GENERAL

A.1 Teams are advised to be at the courts 10 minutes before the round.

A.2 Teams are comprised of 6 players on the court, with a minimum of 2 players of each gender on the floor at all times. At minimum, a team must field at least 4 players (and field two ghost players). If only 1 player of either gender is present, the team must play with one less player and follow the ghost rule detailed below; if there are no players of either gender, the team will automatically forfeit the game.

A.3 Teams must act as if there were 6 players at all times. If a team cannot field 6 rostered players, the positions for the missing players shall be filled by “ghost”. Teams may have up to 2 ghost players. The ghost(s) must be assigned a position at the start of the game. Once a rostered player arrives, they may sub in for the ghost before the next serve.

A.4 When a ghost arrives at service, the team with the serving ghost will receive a side-out, and the other team will receive 1 point along with the next serve. If the ghost is in the front row, the team must play with a maximum of two front-row players. 

A.5 Games will be played in a best 2 of 3 set format (21/21/11). Games are all rally point, win by 2 points (capped at 23/23/13). For the 3rd set, teams will switch sides once a team reaches 6 points. Matches will be over when a team wins 2 games or time expires.

A.6 If time expires while teams are playing the 3rd set (the tiebreaker), at least one of the teams must have reached 5 points for the 3rd game to count. If the time expires before each team reaches 5 points during the tiebreaker game, both teams will report a draw.

A.7 Each week, teams are scheduled to play for up to 90 minutes. Each team will play 2 other opponents allocating approximately 45 minutes for each round of games. Time is to be kept by each team.

A.8 Team captains and players are required to self-officiate and call their own fouls.

A.9 Net height is set to junior boy’s height.

B. GAME PLAY

B.1 Team captains will rock-paper-scissors or spin for serve prior to the game and for the 3rd set – with the winner choosing whether to begin with the serve of the ball or which side of the court to play on. The other team will select from the remaining option. 

B.2 Between sets, teams will alternate for first serve and side of the court.

B.3 Players must rotate positions as well as serve with each side-out. This includes rotating after the first serve.

B.4 Teams are only allowed to substitute one player at a time, with the exception of an injury.

B.5 Teams may choose to use one of two substitution methods:

    • Rotation-Based: Substitutions only allowed in the back middle position.
    • Position-Based: Players can be substituted for specific positions
      • When Player A is replaced by Player B:
        • Either Player A or B can be on court, but not both
        • They can only play in their designated position
        • Multiple substitutions between A and B are allowed within a set
        • No other player can substitute into this position

B.6 All balls must be hit cleanly — this means players may not scoop, hold, or carry the ball.

B.7 If a player blocks an attacking ball and the ball comes onto their own team’s side, the block does not count as a hit towards the three-hit limit. Blocks on an attacking ball may be a double hit, only for the player who makes the initial block.

B.8 A ball that lands on or touches the indicated sidelines of the court will be considered in play. A ball that lands outside the lines or into another court, or contacts any object not in the field of play (such as wall, ceiling, spectator, etc.), is considered out.

B.9 The ball can hit any part of the body.

B.10 When the ball crosses over the net, it must be between the sidelines and/or not touch the volleyball antennas. Otherwise, it will be considered out of play.

C. RE-TIERING

Re-tiering allows for fair and enjoyable competition while encouraging skill development. 

For seasons where there are multiple tiers:

C.1 Re-tiering may occur any time before week 4 of the regular season.

C.2 Any number of teams may be moved and depends on various circumstances, such as team performance record and overall skill level of players.

C.3 Implementation

    1. Teams will be notified of tier changes one week before implementation.
    2. All tier changes are final once announced.
    3. Affected tiers will have their regular season points reset.

D. RULES / INFRACTIONS

D.1 Players cannot touch the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no infraction will be called, and the ball will remain in play.

D.2 If a back-row player is in front of the attack line and plays the ball over the net, they must contact the ball below the height of the net.

D.3 A served ball may not be blocked or attacked directly back over the net.

D.4 Male players may not block a female player on an attacking hit, unless agreed upon by the Captains prior to the start of the match. This includes an attempted block — or as an act of intimidation — which is defined as a player jumping with one or both hands extended beyond the top of the volleyball net.

D.5 Players may not interfere with the other team or hinder play on the other side of the court, such as making contact under the net. For the safety of everyone, players are not allowed to have their full foot on the other side of the net. Any form of contact made under the net on the other side of the court results in an infraction and an automatic point for the opposing team.

D.6 When serving a ball, a player may not touch the lines or inside the court before making the last contact with the ball. When serving a ball, a player may not touch the lines or inside the court before making the last contact with the ball. However, leeway for one step into the court is provided for gyms where space between the wall and serving line is limited.

    • For games at VCS: The player serving must be visible to the opposing team while serving (i.e. the hallway/doorway should not be used for a run-up).

E. PLAYOFF RULES

E.1 Standings: If teams are tied in regular season points, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine final regular season standings:

      1. Total wins
      2. Spirit points
      3. Head-to-head record
      4. Games For/Against differential

E.2 Playoff games will be played as a best of 3 or 5 sets format.

    • Best of 3 Sets Format: 
      • Sets played to 21 points (first two sets) and 11 points (final set)
      • Rally point scoring
      • Win by 2 points, with caps at 23 (first two sets) and 13 (final set)
      • Teams switch sides once a team reaches 6 points in the third set
      • Match ends when a team wins 2 sets or time expires
    • Best of 5 Sets Format: 
      • Sets played to 21 points (first four sets) and 11 points (final set)
      • Rally point scoring
      • Win by 2 points, with caps at 23 (first four sets) and 13 (final set)
      • Teams switch sides once a team reaches 6 points in the fifth set
      • Match ends when a team wins 3 sets or time expires

E.3 Time Expiry Rules

    • During Regular Sets
      • Team leading when time expires wins the set
      • If sets are tied, combined score of all sets determines the winner
    • Before Reaching Tiebreaker Set
      • Combined score from completed sets determines the winner
    • During Tiebreaker Set (3rd or 5th set)
      • At least one team must reach 5 points for the set to count
      • If neither team has 5 points, combined score of all sets determine the winner
    • Tied Combine Score
      • If combined score is tied when time expires  (i.e. when timer stops ringing), one final point decides the winner