Playing sand Volleyball? Here’s what you need to know

 

 

Well, well, well, here we are. FINALLY, about one week out from actually playing volleyball. This update is going to be quite the doozy, so please buckle up and get ready…
Also, please be on the look for a free social event this coming SATURDAY (6/15/19) down at the courts for open play. If everything goes according to plan, the courts will be basically complete and we encourage everyone to come down and play/practice in the sand with us. Within this post, you will see specific rules for each league night. Please read through these rules and email us any questions or clarifications you may have. First things first, let’s talk about EXACTLY where these courts are and where you should park. 

The easiest address to throw in your GPS will be: 
123 West Bartges Street
Akron, OH 44311

The building complex is technically BEHIND the vacant building on Bartges, so see the below map for reference of exactly where the location is. Worst case scenario, look for the Goodrich Smokestacks, and you’ll find us! You can basically park anywhere that you see a spot as it is after normal business hours so no pass is required.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your first match so we can get everyone checked in and sign up the remaining players for t-shirts.

T-Shirts: 

We will pass out t-shirts when everyone from each league has signed up their full team. If you haven’t had EVERYONE from your team sign up, please ask your captain or any teammates who received our original rules email for the form. Additionally, for teams with more than the team league amount, extra t-shirts are available for purchase for $10. This means if you play on a 6’s team and have 8 players, your team is provided 6 shirts and the additional 2 would need to be purchased for $20. This can be added directly to your league dues or paid in cash at a later date.

We’ll keep the design of the final shirts a surprise, but we will say…they are softer and higher quality fabric than just about any shirts we’ve ever printed.  Also, shout out to our session 1 sand sponsors at Missing Falls Brewery.

League Dues/Payment:

Refer to your original email regarding the cost of the league(s) you’re playing in. Generally speaking, 6’s are $350 per team, 4’s are $200 per team, and 2’s is $100 per team. Please bring payment in full during week one in the form of cash or a check made payable to ‘Stay in Play Recreation, LLC’. We have found it is easiest to have one person or captain be in charge of paying us in full, then have the rest of the team Venmo them or write them a check. 

 

League Rules: 

Please find your night of the week below and read the rules carefully. If you don’t read the rules and someone calls you on a violation and you get mad at us, we will make you tattoo this email on your neck. If you play stupid games, you will win stupid prizes. Also, if you’re newer to volleyball, seriously don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions!

General Rules (All Levels & Leagues):

  • Matches will be self-officiated. All participants are expected to know the rules of the sport
  • The winning team of a pre-match rock paper scissors to decide serve/side
  • At the conclusion of the first set, the teams will switch playing sides
  • All sets are played to 21 points, win by 2, cap of 25 points
  • Winning team(s) are to report the number of matches they won to the shed after you finish playing.

CO-ED Sand 6’s (All Level): 

  • Four players must be present to start a match
  • Player combinations allowed are:
    • 6 players: 4 men and 2 women
    • 5 players: 3 men and 2 women or 3 women and 2 men
    • 4 players: 3 men and 1 woman
  • Players are not permitted to scoop, hold, or throw the ball. The ball must not visibly come to rest on the player’s hands, fingers, or any other part of the body
  • Have fun, be nice

NetPlay: 

  • A player may reach under the net as long as he/she does not interfere with an opponent’s attempt to play the ball.
  • A player may reach over the net to complete a spike which was begun on the player’s own side of the net.
  • A player may never touch the net.
  • A player may reach over the net to block, but not to interfere with the opposing team’s play.

Monday and Tuesday BB will enforce hands/double hit calls with more scrutiny as it is designed to be a more competitive league. Thursday teams: If you’re confused about the rules, fear not, the main thing to take away from this is to please just stay out of the net. 

 

CO-ED Sand 4’s:

  • A player may never use an open hand to volley a serve nor can a player execute an open-handed volley on first contact (every time the ball crosses the net, including free balls) with the ball unless it is hard-driven (the serve is never considered a hard-driven ball regardless of its velocity)
  • A hard driven ball is classified as a ball hit with a full swing and has very little arc.
  • “Sets” that drift over the net are NOT permitted.
  • Lifting, scooping the ball and double hits are not permitted.
  • A block is not counted as a hit.
  • No Set Overs
  • No “open-handed” tipping: players who contact the ball with one hand and are putting the ball over the net, must cleanly hit with the heel or palm of hand (a roll shot), with straight, locked fingers and a locked wrist, knurled finger, or with the back of the hand (locked wrist and locked fingers/knuckles). One-handed placement or redirection of the ball with the fingers (dink or open-handed tip) is a fault
  • Double hits on sets will be highly enforced. If the ball is set overhead and has more than one rotation, a fault will be called and you will lose the point. When in doubt, bump set.

CO-ED Sand 2’s:

  • A player may never use an open hand to volley a serve nor can a player execute an open-handed volley on first contact (every time the ball crosses the net, including free balls) with the ball unless it is hard-driven (the serve is never considered a hard-driven ball regardless of its velocity)
  • A hard driven ball is classified as a ball hit with a full swing and has very little arc.
  • “Sets” that drift over the net are NOT permitted.
  • Lifting, scooping the ball and double hits are not permitted.
  • A block is counted as a hit.
  • No Set Overs
  • No “open-handed” tipping: players who contact the ball with one hand and are putting the ball over the net, must cleanly hit with the heel or palm of hand (a roll shot), with straight, locked fingers and a locked wrist, knurled finger, or with the back of the hand (locked wrist and locked fingers/knuckles). One-handed placement or redirection of the ball with the fingers (dink or open-handed tip) is a fault
  • The COURTESY RULE IS IN EFFECT: The “Courtesy Rule” means that male players serve and hit at male players. Female players are allowed to serve and hit to either play on the court. If any player is blocking, the courtesy rule is no longer enforceable and all players can be hit/served to. Mistakes happen but please try to adhere to these general rules as much as you can during gameplay. 
  • Double hits on sets will be highly enforced. If the ball is set overhead and has more than one rotation, a fault will be called and you will lose the point. When in doubt, bump set.

Scoring / Post-Match Reporting:

Please deliver scores to our shed where we will have the master scorekeeping document. The winning team is responsible for reporting scores. If you do not report the scores, we will make up scores or take bribes. 

Trash Policy:

If we have to pick up your trash, we will mail it back to you. Seriously, our responsibility and goal are to keep this area welcoming, clean and beautiful. Please do your part, be an adult, and pick up after yourself. 

Water & Restrooms:

We don’t have either at the moment, but we are working on it. Both are proving to be quite the logistical challenge. We hope to have them as soon as possible, but in the meantime, make your own arrangements. Additionally, our lovely partners at Missing Falls Brewery will have no qualms with you using their facilities if you patronize their very cool bar. Missing Falls is located super close walking distance to the sand courts (see above map). They also will be announcing specials unique to anyone who is playing in our leagues, so keep your eyes peeled for that too!

Lastly, we want to thank everyone for being so patient throughout this process. We are excited to get started and to hear your feedback about the space and how we can make it even better. This project will continue to evolve in front of your eyes over the summer with additional improvements being added along the way and your input will be vital in making this an incredible space for the Akron community at large.

 

-Andrew & Logan

 

 

Keep on Floating

Session 1:

Volleyball Schedules

Pre-Season Party at Musica

Was a Blast!

Summit Sports & Social

520 S Main St Suite 2511-24 
Akron, OH 44311

Call Us: (330) 203-1637

 

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