OVERVIEW

Volleyball BC offers a wide range of adult recreational and competitive indoor and outdoor programs, including leagues, skill clinics, and tournaments. With options tailored to various skill levels and formats, we are committed to fostering safe, inclusive environments, enhancing player pathways, and promoting diversity and engagement within our membership. This document provides an FAQ specifically for Adult Programs, addressing common questions about leagues, clinics, and tournaments.

ADULT LEAGUE FORMATS

Volleyball BC runs Adult Recreational Indoor and Outdoor Leagues.

Indoor Leagues:
Volleyball BC runs Indoor leagues in the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer sessions in the lower mainland (Burnaby, Vancouver & Richmond).

The following formats are offered: Men’s 6s, Women’s 6s, Coed 4s, Coed 6s.

• Men’s 6s
  The Men’s 6s League is a competitive format requiring a minimum of six male players per team. Teams compete weekly against two other teams in a dynamic, skill-based structure. Groups are organized into pools, with higher-level teams placed in Pool A and lower-level teams in subsequent pools. At the end of each game night, teams may move up, down, or remain in the same pool based on their win/loss record.
• Women’s 6s
  The Women’s 6s League features teams with a minimum of six female players competing weekly against two other teams. Teams are grouped into skill-based pools, with higher-level teams placed in Pool A and lower-level teams in subsequent pools. Lower-level teams are scheduled for earlier evening matches, while higher-level teams play later. All teams must be available for either time slot. Teams remain in the same time slot and pool for 2-3 weeks before reseeding, which determines movement between pools based on performance.
• Coed 6’s
  The Coed 6s League features teams of at least six players, with a minimum of two female players required on the court during play. Teams compete weekly against two other teams in a structured, skill-based format. Groups are organized into pools, with higher-skilled teams placed in Pool A and lower-skilled teams in subsequent pools. Lower-level teams are scheduled for earlier evening matches, while higher-level teams play later. All registered teams must be available for either timeslot. Teams remain in the same pool and time slot for 2-3 weeks before reseeding determines movement between pools based on performance.
• Coed 4’s
  The Coed 4s League requires teams to register a minimum of four players, with at least two females required on the court during each match. Teams compete weekly against two other teams in a skill-based format. Teams are grouped into pools, with higher-skilled teams placed in Pool A and lower-skilled teams in subsequent pools. Lower-level teams play earlier in the evening, while higher-level teams play in the later time slots. All registered teams must be available to play in either time slot. Teams will remain in the same pool and time slot for 2-3 weeks before reseeding, which determines movement between pools based on performance.

Outdoor Leagues

Volleyball BC runs Outdoor leagues during the summer in the lower Mainland 

The following formats are offered: Coed 6’s Coed 4’s, King of the Beach, Queen of the Beach, Women’s 2s and Coed 2’s

• Coed 6’s
  The Coed 6s League features teams of at least six players, with a minimum of two female players required on the court during play. Teams compete weekly against two other teams in a structured, skill-based format. Groups are organized into pools, with higher-skilled teams placed in Pool A and lower-skilled teams in subsequent pools. Lower-level teams are scheduled for earlier evening matches, while higher-level teams play later. All registered teams must be available for either timeslot. Teams remain in the same pool and time slot for 2-3 weeks before reseeding determines movement between pools based on performance.
• Coed 4’s
  The Coed 4s League requires teams to register a minimum of four players, with at least two females required on the court during each match. Teams compete weekly against two other teams in a skill-based format. Teams are grouped into pools, with higher-skilled teams placed in Pool A and lower-skilled teams in subsequent pools. Lower-level teams play earlier in the evening, while higher-level teams play in the later time slots. All registered teams must be available to play in either time slot. Teams will remain in the same pool and time slot for 2-3 weeks before reseeding, which determines movement between pools based on performance.
• King and Queen of the Beach
  A beach volleyball format where players enter as individuals rather than as pre-formed teams. Each player competes in a series of 2v2 matches, rotating partners each game within a group of five players. The goal is to accumulate the most wins to be crowned the “King” or “Queen” of the Beach.
• Men’s 2s
  Each team consists of two male players. Matches are played in a best-of-three sets format, with rally scoring used for each set. The first two sets are played to 21 points, with a win by 2, and if necessary, a third set is played to 15 points, also with rally scoring and a win by 2. Teams switch sides every 7 points during the first two sets and every 5 points in the third set.
• Women’s 2s
  Women’s 2s Beach Volleyball format follows the same structure as the men’s format, with each team consisting of two female players. Matches are played in a best-of-three sets format with rally scoring. The first two sets are played to 21 points, with a win by 2, and a third set is played to 15 points with the same win-by-2 rule. Teams switch sides every 7 points in the first two sets and every 5 points in the final set.
• Coed 2’s
  In Coed 2s Beach Volleyball, each team consists of two players, with at least one male and one female. The format follows a best-of-three sets structure, with rally scoring. The first two sets are played to 21 points with a win by 2, and if necessary, a third set is played to 15 points, also with rally scoring and a win by 2. Teams switch sides every 7 points during the first two sets and every 5 points in the third set.

ADULT LEAGUE GAMEPLAY 

What is the format of the league games? (e.g., match duration, number of sets, etc.)
Teams will play best 2 of 3 rally point games, 25/25/15 with a cap at 27 on the first two games and no cap on the third game. One team must score at least 5 points for the third game to count as the deciding set. If not enough points are scored in the third set, the match will be decided by the ratio of points for and against in the first two games. 

How are teams reseeded or moved between pools during the season?
Teams are reseeded and moved between pools based on performance and score differentials. In Coed and Women’s leagues, teams are reseeded every 3 weeks. In Men’s leagues, teams are moved between pools on a weekly basis, with adjustments made according to the team’s performance and results.

How are the league standings determined?
League standings are based on team performance, including match results and score differentials. The standings help determine reseeding positions, which may result in teams moving up, down, or staying in the same pool throughout the season.

Is there a playoff system at the end of the season?
Yes, the final two weeks of each league serve as playoffs. During this period, teams will compete for the top position in their designated pool, with the goal of securing the best possible ranking as the season concludes.

Can players make substitutions during a game?
Yes, players can make substitutions at any point during the game. However, the “iron manning” rule applies, meaning teams cannot designate a specific player (such as a middle) to play continuously in the front row without rotating.

Are referees provided for each game?
No, referees are not provided for all leagues. Most leagues require teams to self-referee, so it is important to ensure fair play and honesty during the games.

ADULT LEAGUE REGISTRATION

Can I register as an individual, or do I need to have a full team?
Adult leagues require team registration, where one individual will register the entire team. This is not an individual registration process.

What is the minimum number of players required to play in a game?
The minimum number of players required depends on the league format. For 4s leagues, at least 4 players are needed per team, while for 6s leagues, a minimum of 6 players is required to participate in a game.

How many female/male players are required on a coed team?
In each coed league, a minimum of 2 female players must be on the court at all times

How are teams divided into skill levels?
Teams are divided into skill levels based on self-ranking provided during registration, along with a combination of previous league standings for teams that participated in prior seasons.

Can a team request a specific time slot for their games?
Teams cannot request a specific time slot for their games. They must be available to play in any time slot as leagues with multiple time slots may require teams to move between different time slots and pools depending on their performance during the season.

ADULT LEAGUE SCHEDULING & ATTENDANCE

What happens if my team is short on players for a game?
For 4s Gameplay:

• 4 players: A complete team with a maximum of 2 players per gender on the court.
• 3 players: The team can compete without penalty, but must have at least 1 player of each gender.
• Less than 3 players: The team will lose the first game 0-25. If the team is still incomplete after 10 minutes, the second game will also be a 0-25 default loss.
• Playoffs: No new players may be picked up for playoffs. Players must have participated in at least one regular session game.
• Teams are required to find substitutions if a player cannot attend the game.

For 6s Gameplay:

• 6 players: A complete team with a maximum of 2 players per gender on the court.
• 5 players: The team can compete without penalty, but must have at least 1 player of each gender.
• Less than 4 players: The team will lose the first game 0-25. If the team is still incomplete after 10 minutes, the second game will also be a 0-25 default loss.
• Playoffs: No new players may be picked up for playoffs. Players must have participated in at least one regular session game.
• Teams are required to find substitutions if a player cannot attend the game.

What happens if my team cannot attend a scheduled game?
If a team cannot attend a scheduled game, they must find a replacement. Teams can ask peers or look for substitutions via the Volleyball BC Sub Search group on Facebook.

How do I know if my league or game is canceled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances?
Volleyball BC will notify team captains of any cancellations via email, ensuring that teams are informed as quickly as possible.

SKILL CLINICS

What are skill clinics, and how do they differ from regular league play?
Skill clinics are designed to help players enhance their techniques for use in real game situations. Unlike regular league play, these clinics focus on refining key volleyball skills—such as passing, setting, hitting, and serving—that players can apply directly during competitive gameplay.

What should I expect during the clinic? Will there be a mix of drills, scrimmages, and coaching?
Clinics are held over several weeks, with each session focusing on different volleyball skills. Expect a combination of skill-building exercises, drills to reinforce those skills, and opportunities to apply them in game situations through scrimmages.

Can I sign up for a clinic if I have no prior experience with volleyball?
Absolutely! Our beginner skill clinics are designed specifically for individuals with little to no experience. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills in a supportive environment.

Are the clinics suitable for all skill levels?
Yes, Volleyball BC offers skill clinics for both beginners and advanced players. Beginner clinics are ideal for individuals with little to no volleyball experience who are looking to learn the basics and develop a strong foundation in the sport. Advanced clinics cater to players who are already familiar with the game and wish to refine their skills and learn more complex techniques.

How long is each clinic session?
Each clinic session is 2 hours.

How do I register for a skill clinic?
Individuals can register for a skill clinic through the Volleyball BC website. Simply visit the following link to access the registration portal: https://volleyballbc.org/play/adult/outdoor/clinics/ and complete the registration process via Sportlomo.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

PARTICIPANT WITHDRAWAL:

*IF NO DEADLINES ARE POSTED, THE DEADLINE IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE PROGRAM
**PROCESSING FEES ARE CHARGED BY SPORTLOMO AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

VBC CANCELLATION:

THIS POLICY COVERS ALL VBC PROGRAMS, CLINICS AND EVENTS, UNLESS EXPLICITLY STATED ON A SPECIFIC REGISTRATION.

ALL REFUND REQUESTS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE PROGRAM MANAGER.

VBC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A DOCTOR’S NOTE SHOULD A PARTICIPANT WITHDRAW DUE TO INJURY OR ILLNESS.

EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS

What equipment is provided by Volleyball BC, and what do players need to bring?
Volleyball BC provides nets and sets them up for each game. Players are encouraged to bring their own volleyballs for gameplay and warm-ups. If necessary, players can borrow a ball from the Volleyball BC staff.

Is there a specific dress code or uniform requirement?
There are no specific uniform requirements, but players should wear appropriate athletic wear and indoor or outdoor volleyball shoes suitable for the court surface

CONDUCT & COMMUNICATION

Is there a code of conduct for players in the adult leagues?
Yes, Volleyball BC has a strict code of conduct that all players must adhere to. This includes a zero-tolerance policy for any form of misconduct, such as verbal or physical abuse, discriminatory behavior, harassment, or unsportsmanlike conduct. Respect for teammates, opponents, referees, and league officials is expected at all times.

Discriminatory behavior based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status will not be tolerated. Any player found in violation of these guidelines will face ejection from the game and potentially be banned from participating in the league. The goal is to foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy the game safely and fairly.

How can I contact league coordinators or staff if I have questions during the season?
For any questions regarding adult programs or leagues, please email adult@volleyballbc.org.