ST. CHARLES PARISH PARKS & RECREATION

VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM HANDBOOK

General Facility Guidelines

1. Coaches, players, and spectators must wait until their scheduled time before entering the facility.

2. Restrooms are available for use. Please wash hands and dispose of trash properly.

3. Concessions will be available during games.

4. Players should bring their own labeled water or sports drink.

5. Red-colored drinks are prohibited inside the gymnasium at all times.

Program Philosophy

• Provide a safe, positive environment for learning and playing volleyball.

• Promote fundamentals such as serving, setting, volleying, and blocking.

• Encourage moral character and sportsmanship among players, coaches, and spectators.

This is a recreational program. While games are competitive, the focus is on fun, fundamentals, and teamwork—not winning at all costs. Coaches must teach positively, respect officials, and model good sportsmanship.

Goal: Every participant should enjoy their experience and grow as both a player and a person.

Eligibility

1. All teams and coaches are under the supervision of SCPRD.

2. Each child must complete a registration form.

3. Players must play in their age group (no exceptions) unless approved by SCPRD.

4. If a booster club does not field a team in a particular age group, players will be assigned to another booster club.

5. Players may only be on one SCPRD team per sport at a time.

6. Players on a high school or junior varsity volleyball team may not participate.

7. Age cutoff date is September 1.

Uniform & Equipment

1. Players must wear their team uniforms. If unavailable, they must wear the same color as their team.

2. Mandatory: volleyball knee pads (worn properly) and rubber-soled athletic shoes.

3. Hard-soled shoes are not permitted.

Team Rosters

1. Rosters must be typed or completed in ink.

2. Players without completed registration paperwork are ineligible.

   • Penalty: Forfeit of all games played with ineligible player(s).

3. Rosters close after the first regular season game.

Roster must include:

• Head coach and assistant(s) with names, addresses, and phone numbers.

• New residents may only be added with SCPRD approval.

Coaches must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Sign a Code of Conduct contract (kept on file).

Team Composition:

• 8 players make up a team.

• Maximum of 2 male players on the court at a time.

• Games may start with 4 or 5 players, but never fewer than 4.

• 6 players are recommended for tournament play.

Special Rules

1. Playing Requirement: Every child must play one full game before the start of the third game.

2. Male Player Restrictions:

   • No jump serves or roundhouse serves.

   • No overhand hits.

   • No sidearm serves or hits.

   • Penalty: Side out and point for the opposing team.

3. Serving: Home team serves first in games 1 and 3.

4. Rescheduling:

   • Only SCPRD may reschedule games.

   • Games may only be rescheduled for school-related conflicts where minimum players cannot be fielded.

   • Vacations or outside activities are not valid reasons.

   • Teams with minimum players must play as scheduled or forfeit. Applies to both regular and postseason.

Playing Rules

1. Game Time: 1-hour limit (except championship).

2. Rest Period: 3 minutes between games.

3. No Grace Period: Late = forfeit. After 10 minutes, all games are forfeited.

4. Substitutions: Allowed anytime for injury; must re-enter for the same player.

5. Time-outs: Two per game; clock stops.

6. Forfeits:

   • Forfeit 2 play dates = ineligible for postseason.

   • Forfeit 3 games = removal from league.

Court Size & Net Heights

• Court: 30’ x 60’ (all ages).

• Net Heights:

  • Ages 5–8: 6 ft (serving line moved up 10 ft).

  • Ages 9–11: 6 ft 6 in (serving line moved up 5 ft).

  • Ages 12–14: 7 ft 4 in.

Scoring

• Matches: Best 2 of 3 games.

• Games 1 & 2: 25-point rally scoring.

• Game 3: 15-point rally scoring.

• Must win by 2 points.

• Teams switch sides after each game.

Fouls (Result in Side Out or Point)

• Two-handed serve.

• Stepping on the serving line.

• Serve touches net and fails to cross.

• Touching or reaching over the net (except follow-through).

• Failure to rotate.

• Serving before referee acknowledgment.

• Four hits on one side.

• Playing the ball twice in succession.

• Catching, pushing, lifting, or rolling the ball.

• Ball fails to cross net on 3rd contact.

End-of-Season Tournament

• Format: Seeded, single elimination.

• Scoring: Same as regular season (best 2 of 3).

• Only SCPRD may reschedule games.

• Weather cancellations will be rescheduled if possible.

Conduct

1. All participants, coaches, parents, and fans must conduct themselves respectfully.

2. Ridicule, profanity, or harassment of officials, teams, or players will not be tolerated.

3. Alcohol and tobacco are prohibited at all times.

4. Cheating or misconduct = termination (2 years).

Ejections:

• First offense = must complete the Sportsmanship course prior to next practice or game..

• Second offense = Suspension from next game.

• Coaches must complete a Sportsmanship Course before returning.

State Law Reminder:
Under Louisiana law (RS 14:34.4), committing battery against a recreation athletic contest official is a crime. Penalties include fines, jail time, and mandatory community service.