PLAYING RULES

Saturday will consist of pools of either 4 or 5 teams. The top 2 or 3 teams of each pool from Saturday will progress to the Divisional finals on Sunday (trophies for winners and runners up). The remaining teams will play in the plate competition on Sunday (trophies for Plate winners and runners up).

  • You must be 6 players on court (you will not be allowed to play with less) and in Mixed Divisions there must be at least 3 women on court at all times. 

  • Format is timed games. The timings will be controlled centrally by HQ. However if a pool has less than 5 teams the match duration and intervals will be slightly longer and teams will need to self-time.

  • Matches are two sets with unlimited points. If teams win 1 set each, the team with the highest total number of match points is the winner. A pool match can be a draw if equal on sets & points.

  • For knock-out games eg Semi-finals and Final there cannot be a draw. If the result is a draw on sets and points at the end of the match (when the hooter sounds) one more point must be played to determine the winner

  • 2 time outs per set allowed

  • 12 substitutions per set (must sub the same two players, eg if player number 3 is substituted on for player number 9, then 9 can only be substituted off for 3. 9 cannot then play again till the next set)

  • If using a libero – no need to call a substitution.

  • Normal 6-a-side FIVB playing rules apply (except we don't insist on shirt numbers, hence no starting rotations).

  • In Women’s Divisions, only females may play. There is no rule that allows boys to be counted as women in Mixed Divisions.

  • Females are permitted to play in the Men’s competition.

  • No player can officially play for more than one team in the tournament. However to ensure that teams do not have to withdraw completely on the weekend due to injured players etc, we try to be a bit flexible with this. Some of our tournament staff are happy to fill in for the odd game by arrangement with the tournament office (but they are not allowed to play for the one team the entire weekend). Or failing that, you may be able to borrow a player from another team, but we insist that it isn’t someone playing in the same division. He/she would need to be playing in a different division. Also, their availability is not allowed to impinge on or affect your team’s schedule of matches. So if they are still playing on a different court when your team is about to start you would have to find someone else, i.e. you will not be allowed to delay the start of your match. 

  • Please make sure you get the agreement of Kate in the tournament office regards this point. Any dispute regarding player eligibility will be decided finally by the tournament committee who reserve the right to amend rulings, should exceptional circumstances occur. Teams are expected to play within the spirit of the rules.

  • Your team’s responsibilities

  • EVERY TEAM MUST send one or more representative(s) to the ‘Welcome Meeting’ at the Tournament Office (outside the Marquee, down by the courts) at 8:50am on Saturday.

    ALSO make sure your team members join the Whitefield 2026 weekend WhatsApp group

  • Matches will start at 9.15am prompt on both Saturday and Sunday.

  • Teams are expected to participate on both days. Sunday's playing schedule will be made live on the website during Saturday evening.

  • You must provide officials for each game you are assigned, including:

    • First referee (plus whistle)

    • Second referee (plus whistle)

    • Scorer (plus pen)

  • Any team not participating in all their matches, and refereeing commitments, will lose their deposit and may be barred from future tournaments.

  • Teams must be ready to play at the end of the previous match. Any team not on court at the start of the match may forfeit the match. However teams have NO right to claim matches themselves – this decision can only be made by a member of the tournament committee match organisers (Kate).

  • The winning team is responsible for checking and returning the score sheet to the Tournament Office. Match results will be displayed online as soon as we can process them.


Trophies and Presentations

Trophies and player medals will be presented to:

  • Divisional (cup) winners and runners-up

  • Plate competition winners and runners-up

Presentation of trophies will be made outside the Tournament Office immediately after the Finals (approx 5pm)

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to alter the competition format and move teams between divisions depending on number of teams, safety issues, etc.