League & Registration Information

• Outdoor Volleyball: Two sessions, generally spring and summer.
• Indoor Volleyball: Two sessions, generally fall and winter.
• Fall Session: Typically begins in late September. Game counts depend on court availability and scheduling.
• We aim to maximize games for each team and schedule doubleheaders whenever possible.
• Referee Fee: $12 per team, per scheduled match.

REGISTER FOR LEAGUES VIEW TOURNAMENTS

Registration availability and season dates are listed on each event page.

Cancellations, Forfeits & Refunds

Weather-Related Cancellations

Outdoor matches are generally played rain or shine, in warm or cold conditions. Games may be cancelled for thunder, lightning, flooded courts, or other unsafe conditions at league management's discretion.

Captains will be notified as soon as a decision is made. Updates may also be posted on our Facebook page.

Team Cancellation Notice

• Teams must notify league management at least 48 hours before their scheduled match if they cannot play.
• Captains are responsible for checking the official schedule before each match.
• With at least 48 hours' notice, management will attempt to arrange a makeup match. Makeup games are not guaranteed.
• With less than 48 hours' notice, the team forfeits the match and no makeup game will be scheduled.

Two instances of insufficient notice may trigger a league management review and possible removal from the league, with paid fees forfeited.

Team & Roster Requirements

Coed Team Formats

• 6-Person Coed: At least two women on the court. If only one woman is available, no more than three men may play.
• 4-Person Coed: At least one woman on the court. Playing without a woman results in a forfeit.
• 2-Person: Any combination of men and women.

Registration & Playoff Eligibility

• Preliminary rosters are due before Week 1.
• Final rosters are due before Week 4.
• Every player must register online and accept the participation waiver before playing.
• NO WAIVER = NO PLAY.
• Only rostered players may participate in playoffs.
• Players must participate in at least three regular-season matches to qualify for playoffs, unless a specific league's published rules state otherwise.

Games, Scoring & Match Timing

• Regular Season: Recreational, Intermediate, and Power matches consist of three rally-scored games to 21, with a cap at 23.
• Playoffs: Best-of-three, single-elimination format.
• Playoff Games 1 & 2: First to 21, win by two, no cap.
• Playoff Game 3: First to 15, win by two, no cap.
• Match slots are typically 40–45 minutes.
• Teams must be ready at their scheduled start time. Delays may result in penalties or forfeits at the referee's discretion.
• Each team receives one timeout per match and must remain on the court during timeouts.
• A break is permitted between Games 2 and 3 only. Players must stay on the court between Games 1 and 2.

Rules of Play — All Divisions

• The referee determines the opening serve or side-selection procedure. The team winning the choice also has the choice in Game 3.
• Net serves are legal if the ball crosses the net and lands in bounds.
• Blocking or attacking a serve is prohibited.
• Net contact violations result in a point for the opposing team.
• Players may cross beneath the net without interfering with or contacting an opponent.
• Open-hand reception of a serve or first ball is allowed.
• Contacting the ball with a foot is allowed.

Game Protests

Only a listed team administrator from one of the teams involved may file a protest concerning player eligibility.

Protest Procedure

1. Notify the referee or site manager before or during the match and have the protest recorded on the game card.
2. Notify the opposing team's coach or captain before or during the match.
3. Send a written protest identifying the allegedly ineligible player to Eric@wnysocialsports.com within 72 hours after the match.
4. Submit the $100 protest fee within one week via Venmo @WNY-SocialSports. The fee is refunded if the protest is upheld.

Division-Specific Officiating

Recreational Level

Beginner-friendly play. Officials focus on:

• Ball in or out
• Net violations
• Obvious carries
• Double contacts, excluding driven balls

The goal is fair, enjoyable play.

Intermediate Level

More structured and competitive play. Officials call:

• Ball in or out
• Net violations
• Carries
• Double contacts, excluding driven balls

Power / Elite Level

The highest level of competition, with stricter officiating standards.

• Ball in or out
• Net violations
• Carries and lifts
• Double contacts, excluding driven balls
• Strict ball-handling standards
• Open-hand tips are prohibited.
• Controlled rolls and cuts are permitted when legal.

In 4-person Power formats, positional rotation is not required. A team using four players in a 6-person league must maintain service rotation.