BCVL Guidelines & Rules
(2025/2026)




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). 

Captains are responsible for signing a copy of the rules with their registration package that they will comply with the BCVL rules. 
Violations of the rules will be discussed with the committee, and may result in termination of the team from the league.

The rules and guidelines are subject to change as required.
The BCVL committee reserves the right to change the rules whenever it is deemed necessary.
Should a change be made, the changes will be highlighted and a last modified date will be updated.

Last Updated: September 2, 2025

2025/2026 Season Details (NEW) 
Based on the feedback from last season's year end survey, the details for this season are as follows:

  • If a team is exceeding or lacking the skill level within the division, the league executive reserves the right to adjust the schedule/division placement to correct such inequities if possible and as necessary.
  • Registration fees will not increase from the previous season fees, (final amount will be announced prior to registration)
  • There will be NO banquet for the 2025/2026 season
  • There will be no prize money for divisions
  • Tournament style will remain the same as last year, with a double elimination bracket (3 game guarantee) based on end of season standings
  • 5 game minimum for tournament eligibility (League will fully track eligible players for the tournament and lists of eligible players will be provided to captains for the year end tournament)
  • A mid-season invitational tournament may be scheduled based on availability. This tournament will be first come first serve, and BCVL teams will have first right to registration before opening to the community (registration fees will NOT cover this tournament)

Guidelines

  • Deposit of $300 is required to secure a spot in the league, balance must be paid by the end of the second week of play. Failure to pay in full will result in forfeits until payment is made, and a removal from the league if the balance is not paid by the end of the first month.
  • 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 court 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 6:25 PM 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.
  • 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.

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. (NEW 2025/2026) Spectators: No spectators will be permitted in the gym under the age of 3 due to safety and the ability to protect oneself. Spectators aged 3 through 12 must be under direct parental/guardian supervision and stay in the corners of the gyms while watching (someone not on the court must be supervising at all times), anyone over the age of 13 can come to watch unsupervised, but again must stay in the gyms and in the corners while watching. (There is to be no roaming of the hallways or stage at any time, or sitting near the nets/attack lines)

    NOTE: Should facilities let us know this rule is being broken, we will have no choice but to revoke the permission, please respect the requirements as ages will not be verified, but we trust all players will be responsible with who they bring to watch
  3. The first set must start immediately at start time (5-minute grace period for the 6:25 match). If one team does not have enough 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. (UPDATED 2025/2026) 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. (This is due to insurance requirements to know the maximum number of players enrolled in our league)
  8. (UPDATED 2025/2026) To be eligible for the year end tournament each player must play in at least 5 matches throughout the season.
  9. (UPDATED 2025/2026) If a returning team does not play for the year end tournament, that team will not be eligible for returning team registration the following season and will be required to sign up with general registration. There will be no exceptions to the rule for returning teams. Tournament dates will be posted with the year's schedule and give time to formulate a year-end tournament team.  (New teams may be given a pass at the discretion of the committee from not being familiar with the league requirement.)
  10. 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.)
  11. Due to the size of the gym a server must have at least one foot 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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’s decision 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.
  15. All referees’ decisions are final including ball handling and in/out calls. An R1 may overrule any other official (i.e. Line Judge).
  16. (UPDATED 2025/2026) 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. Any ejections will need to appear before the committee before re-instatement to play. It is at the sole discretion of the committee to decide whether the player will be allowed to return to play or be removed from the league. If this outcome is not honoured, the team will forfeit any games this individual plays in.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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).
  21. Neither the City of Brantford nor the league or league executive is responsible for lost or stolen items.
  22. (UPDATED 2025/2026) All players in the league will sign the digital 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. Failure to sign the waiver prior to the start of the game will result in a team forfeit of any match played with an unregistered player.

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.

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

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