1. General League Information:

• A team must have a minimum of 9 players on the roster.
  • A minimum of 2 females is required on the court at all times.
• In case of severe weather, official word about cancellation will be emailed/texted between 4:00 pm & 5:00 pm.
• Teams must use the designated balls provided by OSSO.

2. Pregame:

• At least 6 players must be present to begin a match including 2 females. 
  • Only players on your team roster may play with your team for a game to count! 
• Roster checks may be enforced at any time. 
  • if your team is playing with a sub, your game will be an automatic forfeit. 
  • You are allowed to still play the game and enjoy the court for your allotted time slot, but it will count as a loss in your overall standings!
• If a team is more than 10 minutes late that team will forfeit that game (all 3 sets), but may still play in their allotted time slot for fun (and may have to buy beers for the other team).
• Captains or designated players of each team will rock/paper/scissors to decide which team serves first.
• All players must be wearing their designated OSSO team uniform.

3. Scoring and Match rules:

• Each match will be the best of 3 sets (21 / 21 / 15).
  • Must be won by 2 points.
  • Cap of 25 / 25 / 19.
• Rally scoring will be used. 
  • A point is earned each time the ball touches the ground.
• All games are self-reffed, and scores will be kept by the competing teams. 
• Teams will report their scores to the League Coordinators or they will be recorded as a 1-1 draw.
• Games are scheduled for 40 minute time slots, please be considerate of everyone's time.
  • Warm up before your game time.
  • Be ready to start your game as soon as the court is available. 

4. Game Play Rules:

• HAVE FUN!!!
• No more than 3 hits before returning the ball to the other side of the court. 
• When it's 2 hits or less and over, any combination of players may hit the ball.
  • In any 3-hit combination, at least one female player must touch the ball, or a point will be awarded to the other team. 
  • Failure to meet this requirement results in a point awarded to the opposing team.
• Blocking or attacking the serve is not allowed.
  • Attacking the serve is when on the first contact from a serve, a player's feet leave the ground and they use one or two hands above their shoulders to hit the ball at a downward driven angle back over the net.
• Breaking the plane of the net is not allowed unless blocking.
  • Players may not reach over the net into the opponent’s side unless they are actively blocking an attack at the net.
• Lifts will be allowed unless deemed excessive.
  • A lift is when the ball sits in your hands for too long, almost as if you caught it.
  • Don’t catch it and throw it.
• A player may not touch the ball 2 consecutive times.
  • A block does not count as a touch.
• If the ball touches the out of bounds line it is considered in.
  • If teams can not agree where the ball landed/touched you will replay that point. 
• When the ball is returned, it must stay between the antennas.
• An incidental or minor touch of the net will not be called, unless deemed excessive.
  • Full arm and/or chest would be considered excessive. 
• Interfering with players under the net is not allowed. 
  • Landing under the net without interfering with another player is okay.
• Players must rotate through each position.
  • Teams will change servers after they have scored on an opponent’s serve.
  • Teams will rotate their players in & out of the game in a set order.
  • Each player must serve & get equal playing time by rotating through every position.
  • Players may not stay only in the front row or only in the back row.
  • NO switching positions once the ball is served. 
• Back row attacks are not allowed.
  • A back-row attack happens when a player who is in the back row jumps and hits the ball downward toward the other team while near the net.
  • Back-row players may not jump and attack the ball in front of the attack line.
• Throughout the course of the match should any disagreements regarding a play arise, teams will agree to replay the point.

5. OSSO Code of Conduct:

• Lighthearted trash talking is permitted.
• Players who instigate and / or use personal profanity, such as "F*** You" will receive a warning.
  • A second event with the same player(s) will result in an ejection for those involved.
    • Repeat offenses by the same player(s) will result in a suspension. 
    • The duration of the suspension will be determined on a case by case basis depending on the severity of the incident.
• Racial slurs, hate speech, or discriminatory language of any kind will result in immediate ejection, complete suspension, and removal from the league.
  • Individuals who engage in this behavior are not welcome back.
  • This applies to players, spectators, and anyone involved with the game.
• Any act of physical violence - including fighting, shoving, or intentional aggression - will result in immediate ejection, complete suspension, and removal from the league.
  • Individuals who engage in this behavior are not welcome back.
  • This applies to players, spectators, and anyone involved with the game.
• If there is a dispute about a score or a rule, a Captain may ask for a meeting with the opposing Captain and the League Coordinator/Official to discuss the dispute. 
  • If a judgement call goes in your team's favor when it shouldn't have, your Captain CAN and SHOULD speak up to the correct call. 
• A player(s) arguing with or being disrespectful to the officials will receive a warning.
  • A second event with the same player(s) will result in an ejection for those involved.
    • Repeat offenses by the same player(s) will result in a suspension. 
    • The duration of the suspension will be determined on a case by case basis depending on the severity of the incident.
• Remember that we are a SOCIAL SPORTS LEAGUE that values FUN and COMMUNITY above all else.
  • As a result, we must acknowledge that we are all imperfect people playing an imperfect game, and that wrong calls will inevitably be made.
  • These errors should be accepted with grace.
• Our goal is to create a FUN and INCLUSIVE environment for ALL players while always striving for fairness.

Any other league specific rules that were not addressed in the rules will be subject to League Manager’s “Spirit of the League” ruling and will be determined with fairness, player safety & fun in mind.