BCVL Guidelines & Rules
(2024/2025)




The primary reason the Brantford Community Volleyball League (BCVL) exists is to provide a volleyball league of mixed and enjoyable volleyball for everyone involved. We strive to have organized recreational volleyball for people in the community regardless of skill level or experience.

The League will be divided into 4 Divisions: A, (Expert), B (Advanced), C (Intermediate), D (Beginner/strictly for fun). If a team finds it has been placed in an inappropriate division the executive reserve the right to reassign a team to a more appropriate division after discussion with the team captain(s). If a team is exceeding or lacking the skill level within the division, the league executive reserves the right to adjust the schedule to correct such inequities if possible and as necessary.

Guidelines

  • All communications should be limited to exchanges between the team captain and referee or in some cases the League Executive. It is the responsibility of the team captain or assistant captain to inform each player on their team of all league rules, dates, and general information.
  • All Division A & B matches will be played on Mondays beginning at 6:25 PM and Division C & D will be played on Tuesdays beginning at 6:25PM at Branlyn Community Centre. Matches will be from 6:25 to 7:45 PM, 7:50 to 9:10 PM, and 9:15 to10:35 PM. Start times may be slightly altered by the executive depending on how many teams are registered in each division. There will be a 5-minute break between games to allow teams to exit the gym, and new teams to get dressed and warm up before the next game.
  • Any team which must be warned about not playing within the spirit of the league, may not be invited to play in subsequent years.
  • If a team does not play for the year end tournament (without prior written notice to the committee for a valid reason), that team will not be eligible for returning team registration the following season and will be required to sign up with general registration, which may result in losing their spot in the league.
  • When filling out the game sheets, please legibly print both first and last names on the game sheet. (At least last initial is required if you can't remember full last name, but please use full names as much as possible).
  • All players are responsible for cleaning up their garbage after their matches.
  • No individuals under the age of 18 can be present in the gyms or facilities surrounding the gym during games.ow!

Rules

The following Rules have been reviewed and all referees have reviewed them with an understanding of how the BCVL want them applied. All referees are (or have previously been) carded referees and are up to date on all Volleyball Canada current rules. All Divisions will play by current Volleyball Canada rules with exceptions noted below:

  1. Only players registered on their BCVL team roster who have signed the waiver can legally play. If a team is found to be playing with illegal players, the League Executive will investigate and discuss the problem with the team and players and render a decision that could result in removal of a team from the league. If players are playing under another individual’s name, the same penalties can apply.
  2. The first set must start immediately at start time (5-minute grace period for the 6:25 match). If one team does not haveenough players, they will default the first set (game). A 15-minute grace period is allowed before each of the remaining sets becomes a default (total of 1 hour). If the required numbers of players arrives (5 + GHOST), the next set will begin immediately.
  3. Teams will play 5 sets per night, with 1 point awarded for each set won. The first four sets will be played to 25 points with a 2-point margin for victory and 27 point maximum. The final set will be played to 15 points with a 2-point margin and a 17- point cap. A maximum 1 hour and 20-minute time limit will apply for all 5 sets.
  4. Each team should have 6 players on the court. If a player becomes injured, the team with the injured player may continue to play by substituting the injured player with a registered team player OR play using the Ghost Rule (see Rule 5). Regardless of their choice, the maximum number of males allowed on the court will be 3. If neither option is feasible and the injured player cannot return to play within three (3) minutes, the subsequent set(s) will result in a forfeit.
  5. Teams will be allowed to play using a “Ghost Player’ if they are short players and cannot field a full team. Captains may clarify with the referee, if necessary, how the Ghost rule will be applied with respect to rotation and serving.
  6. Rosters may only have 12 individuals on the team at any time. If additional players are to be added to the roster, a player must be removed from the roster and cannot be re-added. Please contact the executive if you would like to check on the number of players on your roster or make a change beyond the initial 12 individuals.
  7. To be eligible for the year end tournament each player must play in at least 6 matches throughout the season.
  8. Teams may borrow one (1) BCVL registered player as needed per week from another team of the same or lower division as required to field a full team for a match. If a team has 4 individuals and borrows one player, they may also use a ghost to field a full team. You may not borrow a player if you are fielding a full team (6) of your own players. (This does not apply to the year-end tournament. Players may only play for their registered team.)
  9. Due to the size of the gym a server must have at least one foot l behind the base line and laterally inside the service zone at the moment of contact of the ball. The other foot may enter the court during the serve.
  10. Players may substitute players into a set. Unlimited substitutions are allowed between the same two players in each set. Alternately, each player in the rotation may consistently exit and re-enter the court in a continuous sequence. All teams will decide which method they will use at the beginning of each game. In the event of an injury substitution, the player coming off is not allowed to re-enter the set. Regardless of any of the above, a team may not have more than 3 males on the court at one time. There is no maximum number of females who can be on the court.
  11. A team captain may request one 30 second time-out in each of the first four sets or the first 60 minutes of the match (whichever comes first). No time outs will be permitted during the 5th set. Exception may be made at any point in the match for an injury where the time out is called by the ref. An injured player has up to three (3) minutes to resume playing or leave the court for the remainder of the match.
  12. If a set is not finished when the 1 hour and 20-minute time limit is up, the team ahead at that time wins. The referee’sdecision is final regarding the starting and finishing times. The referee will announce the time left during game play (ex. 5 min, 3 min, 1 min, last serve). In the event of a tied set with one minute or less remaining, the referee will announce “last serve” and the winner of this rally will win the set.
  13. All referees’ decisions are final including ball handling and in/out calls. An R1 may overrule any other official (i.e. Line Judge).
  14. Referees have the authority to eject a player from a match for unsportsmanlike conduct or using profanity. If a player does not leave when asked, their team will forfeit all subsequent sets to be played that evening.
  15. All teams will fill out a game sheet before their match and submit it to the referee. Only those players who dress for any of the sets may be put on the game sheet. Refs do not know the names of all the players. If a captain suspects a team is using an illegal layer they should register a protest with the referee (illegal player) which must be dealt with on the spot. If a protest is upheld, the match will be forfeited and if a protest is denied, the match will proceed normally.
  16. If a player arrives late for a match, he or she may be added to the game sheet at time of arrival. A player arriving in the gym during a match may play in the set in progress and all subsequent sets. He/she must be added to the lineup.
  17. After the match, both team captains and the referee, will sign the game sheet to confirm all the information is accurate. Once signed, the information on the game sheet is final. Failure to sign may result in a match forfeit.
  18. In the event a referee is not present for a match, the teams participating in that match will be entitled to a credit (payable at the end of the season) for cost of the referee, split between the two teams. Games will continue as scheduled, and self-officiated game will commence. (Please ensure to fill out a game sheet and note an un-officiated game).
  19. Neither the City of Brantford nor the league or league executive is responsible for lost or stolen items.
  20. All players in the league will sign the waiver prior to playing in the league agreeing that they will not hold the City of Brantford, or the BCVL league executive liable in the event of injury, dismemberment, or death.

As a final reminder...

We expect all players, coaches, parents or spectator to remember to maintain a positive attitude toward other players, referees, league executive and facility staff always. There is a Zero Tolerance policy for all forms of poor sportsmanship, harassment or intimidation. Behavior of a player which results in expulsion from the gym or the facility by a referee or League Executive member will require filing an appeal, in writing to the BCVL President or their designate, within 48 hours of receiving a written “Notice of Breach of Conduct” and appear virtually before the BCVL executive committee at a mutually agreeable time. The BCVL executive committee shall have final authority for re-instatement.

To register, continue to the Registration/Forms page.

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BCVL is an all levels community volleyball league based out of Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

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