Rules

QUAD FORMAT MAIN RULES

  • A team must consist of a minimum of 4 players (2 males and 2 females).
  • During a match, teams play in 4 categories: Women's, Men's, Mixed, Quad (4-player team).
  • The sequence of the categories: women's/ men's /coed1/coed2/quad.
  • Each category is played until a total of 16 points is reached (e.g., a change at 8-8). 
  • Teams change service after every 4 valid rallies (except for the 4-player category).
  • In mixed pairs, the same player cannot play consecutively in the mixed category until the category order restarts. 
  • At the end of each category within a match, the team that started as the serving team becomes the receiving team. 
  • Teams must switch sides at the end of each category. In the quad format teams switch sides after every 8 points. 
  • The serve must have an upwards trajectory: both underhand and overhand serves are allowed, as long as the ball visibly follows an upward trajectory. 
  • Categories (except the 4-player) continuously rotate (after accumulating 16, 32, 48, 64 total points) until every category played once, or until one team has reached 40 points.
  • The quad (4 player) format starts after every category is played once, or until one team has reached 40 points. 
  • In this category, there is no predetermined serving order; teams decide who serves and receives among themselves. The same player can be the server/receiver multiple times in a row. 
  • The serve rotates between teams after every point scored.
  • The team that first reaches 50 points wins the match.

DOUBLES FORMAT MAIN RULES

  • The game can be played with a regular volleyball.
  • Doubles format is played by two teams of two players.
  • Each team has a maximum of 3 touches before passing the ball to the opponent's playing surface.
  • A minimum of 1 pass is required between players in the same team, before passing the ball to the opponent's playing surface.
  • The serve and the returned ball must bounce only once on the opponent’s playing surface of the table.
  • The server has one chance to execute a successful service. During the service the player is not allowed to step inside the court or on the baseline, both feet must remain touching the ground.
  • The server and the receiver remain the same for 4 rallies. The service is rotated after 4 valid rallies.
  • If the ball has been returned from inside of the lines to the opponent’s playing surface, the next return from the same team must be made from outside of the linesy.
  • If the ball bounces on the edge of the table and then directly on the floor, the serve or rally must be repeated.
  • If the ball hits the side of the table, it is considered as a fault.
  • The half-way line can only be crossed when passing the ball backwards to your teammate.
  • Returning the ball is only allowed if it is on your own team’s side.
  • Spiking downwards is only allowed if the player is positioned outside of the lines. The player is not allowed to step on or inside the lines during the moment of the spike.
  • If you step inside the lines the ball must have an upwards trajectory.
  • Spiking with a jumping approach for men: they are not allowed to step on or inside the lines before jumping and they must ensure they land with both feet outside the lines.
  • Spiking with a jumping approach for women: they are not allowed to step on or inside the lines before jumping and they are allowed to land inside the lines.
  • Each team has the right to request the chance to earn the ‘doublepoint’ once every match. The ‘doublepoint’ is a chance to gain 2 points instead of one in a single rally.
  • A match consists of two or more winning sets. A set is won when a team reaches 12 points, except if there is a final set, where teams have to win with 2 points difference.
  • Any contact with the table is forbidden.

Download here the official Rules and Regulations by ITVF

The official table volleyball court lay-out

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