ALL GAMES PLAYED AT MELROSE CC
480 kimberly Ave
League Rules and info
| Minimum 10 weeks of league play Matches are best of 3 to 21, 3rd to 15 (no cap) 2 Matches per night Default Match Fine: $20 / match |
1. Coed 4’s
2. Net height: Coed & Men’s – 2.43m, Women’s – 2.24m
3. There will be 5 minutes prior to each match for both teams to warm up on the court. All games will start no later than 5 minutes after their scheduled start time. After this time, the forfeiture procedure is to be followed.
4. Serve: The server has 5 seconds to put the ball in play and is allowed only 1 toss.
5. The ball may be served from any point behind the end line.
6. The let serve is permitted (the serve is good if the ball hits the net, continues over, and remains within the court boundaries).
7. Blocking Serves: Blocking a serve is not allowed
8. The ball may only be attacked on a serve if it is contacted below the height of the net.
9. Overhand passing the ball during serve reception is permitted.
10. Overhand passes “ARE” permitted on 1st contact.
11. Open Hand Tips: “Tipping” or dinking the ball with open hands is prohibited; players must use knuckles or closed fingertips.
12. Blocking: If the ball is contacted during a block, this counts as the first contact and the ball must be put over the net with no more than two more contacts. The blocker who touches the ball may play the ball on the next touch.
13. Setting: Overhand passing (setting) over the net must be done with the shoulders square to the direction of the ball (either straight forward or straight back), or it is considered a fault.
14. Hits: Each team has a maximum of three hits to return the ball over the net.
15. Order of service must be maintained, and for Co-ed it must be M/F/M/F.
16. If a team’s male players contact the ball 3 consecutive times, the 3rd contact must be below the height of the net.
17. There must be 4 players on the court for each team at all times however 3 players teams will still be permitted to play without forfeit of the match. (Coed 4’s, Men’s, Women’s 4’s only)
18. There can be no more than 2 men (coed 4’s)
19. Rotation: No fixed, rigid positional rotation is required other than maintaining the same service order.
20. Service Rotation: All 4 players must rotate through the service position.
21. Self-Officiating: Games are self-officiated, with players expected to call their own violations (lifts, nets, touches).
22. Playoffs for 2026:
Format: 12 teams, single-elimination style over 2 weeks. Every team plays 4 games total (2 per week) — even if you lose, you keep playing for placement.
Week 1 — Qualifier: Teams are split into 3 groups of 4 by regular-season seed:
- Group A: Seeds 1–4
- Group B: Seeds 5–8
- Group C: Seeds 9–12
Each group runs its own mini-bracket in one night:
- Semi 1: #1 vs #4
- Semi 2: #2 vs #3
- Gold match: Semi winners face off
- Bronze match: Semi losers face off
This gives each team a Wk 1 finish of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th within their group.
Week 2 — Placement Brackets: All 12 teams are re-ranked by their Wk 1 finish (with regular-season standings as tiebreaker):
- Top 4 → Championship Bracket → competing for 1st–4th place
- Middle 4 → Placement Bracket → competing for 5th–8th place
- Bottom 4 → Consolation Bracket → competing for 9th–12th place
Each Wk 2 bracket runs the same Semi + Final structure — 2 games per team.
Cinderella clause: Every team has a real shot at the league title. A #12 seed who wins their Wk 1 semi and gold match jumps into the Championship Bracket alongside the top seeds. Win 4 straight and you’re league champion — no matter where you started.
FAQ
Q. My team cannot make a game, what do we do?
A. As soon as you know that you cannot make a game, inform the league right away to cancel the match and attempt a reschedule with the other team. If you don’t give 48 hour notice, your team will be fined the default fee.
Q. Half or more of my team is missing for playoffs, and we can’t play our match. What will happen?
A. Your team will default the match, and will be fined the default match fee. It is unfortunate, but playoffs happen around the same time every year.
Q. Are subs allowed in the event that we need them?
A. Yes. You can bring in an extra male and/or female in a case such as this. They must sign the waiver before playing. Failing to sign will result in a forfeit and fine.