The Toronto Spartan Volleyball League (TSVL) House Rules are either additions or modifications of the Fédération International de Volleyball (FIVB) ‘Rules of the Game 2015-2016’. These rules are meant to supplement the FIVB rules in order to adapt to the format, facilities, and mandate of the TSVL. If a rule is not addressed in the TSVL House Rules, it should be assumed that the TSVL simply follows the rule as written in the FIVB ‘Rules of the Game 2015-2016.

The Court

• The playing court is a rectangle measuring approximately 18 x 9 m, although dimensions might vary slightly based on the playing facility, surrounded by a free zone that may vary in size.
• Two sidelines and two end lines mark the playing court, with a center-line that extends beneath the net from sideline to sideline and divides the playing court into two equal halves.  All captains should agree on the lines that will be used at the start of the night.
• An attack line is located 3m from the center-line and marks the front zone, which extends beyond the sidelines to the end of the free zone.
• The service zone is the area behind each end line, but can also include a single step into the playing court due to a lack of space at all playing facilities.
• When possible, the competitive division sets the net at standard men’s/senior boys’ height (2.43 m), while the recreational division sets the net at standard junior boys’ height (2.35 m), however net height can be limited at some playing facilities.
• Antennae are not mandatory, but when used are fastened at each band on the net to delimit, laterally, the crossing space of the ball.
  • In the absence of antennae, the line judges will make calls based on a visual extension of the sidelines.

One Step-in on Serve

TSVL allows one step-in on serve in ALL divisions on ALL courts regardless of whether there is enough space.

Ceiling Touch

TSVL allows the ball to touch the ceiling in ALL divisions on ALL courts. A ceiling touch includes girders, lights or other ceiling panels.  A ceiling touch is NOT allowed on basketball nets or basketball standards attached to the ceiling or walls.  The touch must be a clean single touch.  It is not allowed to bounce around in the ceiling and it may only touch on the team's playing side of the net.  It would be still playable off either the first or second touch. No touch allowed when the ball lands on the opposing team’s side of the court.