Standards of Play

Registration

All team captains and players must be registered to their team on OFSL.ca 

• Team captains are responsible for completing their roster through their “My Account” on the league website.
• Teams will be placed on the schedule once the criteria below is met. 
• Teams must register a minimum of six (6) players on their roster. 
• All players must be registered and have signed a waiver through the league website.

Scheduling

The schedule for league matches can be found on OFSL.ca.

• Teams are responsible for checking their schedule through the website that is updated weekly.
• Locations are subject to change weekly without notice.
• Start times are subject to change weekly without notice.
• Any changes to the schedule within seven (7) days will be communicated via email to team captains.

*OFSL does not cancel any indoor activities unless due to unforeseen circumstances.

Team Requirements

Team Jerseys

• All players must wear a numbered jersey.
• After October 31, 2026, players not wearing numbered jerseys/shirts will not be permitted to play until a numbered jersey/shirt is worn.

Team Composition

• Teams must have a minimum of five (5) players on the court at all times
• If a team cannot field five (5) players at the schedule start time the first set is defaulted
• An additional set is defaulted every ten (10) minutes until five (5) players are present
• Ghost player is introduced to teams that have less than six (6) players on the court
• Ghost player is a rotational placeholder
• Libero cannot be used if a ghost player is in play
• Teams must identify the starting position of the ghost player
• When the ghost player is rotated to serve…
• Team automatically loses the rally
• Opposing team gets a point and service
• Opposing team rotates as usual

Spare Players

• Spare players list can be found on https://ofsl.ca/my-account/spares 
• Spare players are persons not registered to the same league the team is in
• Spare players are allowed during the regular season of play
• Spare players must play a minimum of two (2) weeks for a team to be eligible for playoffs for the same team.
• Spare players must be written on the scoresheet alongside the team name. 
• Example: “Team Name - Player First & Last Name”
• If a team suspects a spare player may be ineligible for playoffs…
• Inform the facilitator
• Play the match
• Email info@ofsl.ca
• Date
• League name
• Team name
• Spares name
• OFSL will conduct an investigation and respond with the outcome of the investigation and plan of action

Officials

• All tiers will have a referee

Facility Equipment

OFSL tries our best to make sure all equipment owned by the facilities are up to standard that allows teams to play.

• Teams are responsible for treating equipment with care and respect. Handling equipment not with intent that can potentially damage/break equipment. 
• All unsafe/damaged/missing equipment is to be reported to the facilitator.

Court Set-up & Equipment

Each match will have a facilitator and/or referee present to set up and take down equipment.

• Preferred game ball: Mikasa V200W (yellow & blue). 
• Teams are expected to provide balls. 

Player Conduct

The league's mission is to offer a safe environment that promotes sportsmanship, healthy competition and social interactions with all participants.

• Noise level
• all players must be respectful of other players in the facility by keeping the noise level and music to a moderate volume. Ex. Yelling, screeching, loud music, etc…
• OFSL will not tolerate abusive or aggressive behavior towards:
• Facilitator
• Referee/Official
• Another player
• Facility Staff member
• School Property
• If a player(s) is reported to have committed an offence, OFSL will conduct an investigation and player(s) may be suspended or banned.
• No refund will be provided.
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Playoffs

• Playoffs may occur after all regular season games are completed.
• Schedule for playoffs can be found through OFSL.ca
• Format will be communicated during the season.
• Playoff format varies per league.

Format, Scoring System

OFSL uses a tiering system to ensure balanced and fair games across the entire season.

4-teams Tier

Teams are assigned a letter in each tier based on the previous week's results. (A, B, C, or D)

Teams play a “Best of 5” format

Sets 1-4 to 25 points - Hard Cap 25

Set 5 to 15 points - Hard Cap 15

• A match is complete once a team wins three (3) sets
• Facilitators are not responsible for scorekeeping. 
• Scores must be written down by the referee/scorekeeper on the scoresheet provided
• Captains must sign the scoresheets after the match is complete

Placement System:

Teams are assigned 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th after 2 Weeks are played.

Movement Pattern:

Week 1

Winner of Tier “X” A → stays in tier “X” A as Team A

Loser of Tier “X” A → move into tier “X” B as Team C

Winner of Tier “X” B → move into tier “X” A as Team B

Loser of Tier “X” B → stays into tier “X” B as Team D

Week 2

1st place → moves into the tier above as Team D,

→ if no tier above, stays in the same tier as Team A

2nd place → stays in the same tier as Team C

3rd place → stays in the same tier as Team B

4th place → moves into the tier below as Team A, → if no tier below, stays in the same tier as Team D

→ if there is a 3-teams tier below, move into the tier below as Team A (please see 3-teams tier format)

3-teams Tier

Teams are assigned a letter in each tier based on the previous week's results. (A, B, or C)

Teams play a “Best of 3” format

Sets 1-2 to 25 points - Hard Cap 25

Set 3 to 15 points - Hard Cap 15

• A match is complete once a team wins two (2) sets
• Facilitators are not responsible for scorekeeping. 
• Scores must be written down by the referee/scorekeeper on the scoresheet provided
• Captains must sign the scoresheets after the match is complete

Placement System:

Teams are assigned 1st, 2nd, or 3rd after 2 Weeks are played determined by

• Match wins
• Tie breaker: If there is a 3-way tie, teams will maintain their rank starting week 2

Movement Pattern:

Week 1

1st place → stays in the same tier as Team A

2nd place → stays in the same tier as Team B

3rd place → stays in the same tier as Team C

Week 2

1st place → moves into the tier above as Team D

2nd place → stays in the same tier as Team B

3rd place → stays in the same tier as Team C

5-teams Tier 

Teams are assigned a letter in each tier based on the previous week's results. (A, B, C, D. or E)

Teams A & B play a “Best of 5” format

Sets 1-4 to 25 points - Hard Cap 25

Set 5 to 15 points - Hard Cap 15

• A match is complete once a team wins three (3) sets
• Facilitators are not responsible for scorekeeping. 
• Scores must be written down by the referee/scorekeeper on the scoresheet provided
• Captains must sign the scoresheets after the match is complete

Teams C, D, & E play a “Best of 3” format in this order

C vs E

C vs D

D vs E

Sets 1-2 to 25 points - Hard Cap 25

Set 3 to 15 points - Hard Cap 15

• A match is complete once a team wins two (2) sets
• Facilitators are not responsible for scorekeeping. 
• Scores must be written down by the referee/scorekeeper on the scoresheet provided
• Captains must sign the scoresheets after the match is complete

Placement System:

Teams are assigned 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th, and 5th after 2 Weeks are played determined by

• Match wins
• Tie breaker: If there is a 3-way tie, teams will maintain their rank starting week 2

Movement Pattern:

Week 1

Winner of Tier “X” A → stays in tier “X” A as Team A

Loser of Tier “X” A → move into tier “X” B as Team C

Winner of Tier “X” B → move into tier “X” A as Team B

2nd place of Tier “X” B → stays in the same tier as Team D

3rd place of Tier “X” B → stays in the same tier as Team E

Week 2

1st place → moves into the tier above as Team D

2nd place → stays in the same tier as Team C

3rd place → stays in the same tier as Team B

4th place → stays in the same tier as Team D

5th place → stays in the same tier as Team E

OFSL Specific Volleyball Rules 

1. Ball Contact and Kicking

1.1. Kicking the ball is permitted.

1.2. The ball must be contacted cleanly. Throwing, catching, scooping, holding, or carrying the ball is not permitted.

1.3. Double Contact — Overhand Finger Action

A double contact resulting from an overhand finger action will not be called a fault, provided the following conditions are met:

1.3.1. The ball must remain on the same side of the court during the completion of the contact. If the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net during the contact, the action will be considered a fault.

1.3.2. If a player makes two consecutive contacts with the ball during an attack on the second or third team contact, and the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net, the action will be considered a fault.

1.4. A double contact is permitted on the first team contact when the contacts occur as part of one continuous playing action.

2. Net Play

2.1. Contact with the net by any part of a player's body is a fault. Incidental contact with the net by a player's hair is not a fault.

2.2. A player may reach beyond the vertical plane of the net during a block or as part of the natural follow-through of an attack hit, provided the player does not interfere with an opponent's play.

2.3. A ball that contacts an antenna is considered out of bounds and results in a fault.

3. Centre Line

3.1. A player may make contact with the centre line but may not completely cross the centre line with any part of the body if doing so interferes with an opponent.

3.2. If the ball has already been contacted and the play has ended, a player may be carried underneath the net by momentum following an attack without being penalized, provided there is no interference with an opponent.

4. Screening

4.1. Screening occurs when a player or group of players on the serving team intentionally obstructs the receiving team's view of the server or the flight path of the served ball.

4.2. Screening may include intentionally adjusting positioning, forming a group, or raising the hands or arms above the head to obstruct the receiving team's view.

4.3. Screening is not permitted during the serve.

4.4. If the referee determines that a screen has occurred, the serving team will be assessed a fault.

5. Substitutions

5.1. A maximum of three substitutes may be on the court at any one time, unless otherwise specified for a particular league, division, or playing format.

5.2. OFSL may establish additional substitution rules or exceptions for specific leagues or divisions. Any such exceptions will be communicated to teams prior to play.

6. Playing Area and Ball in Play

6.1. If the first team contact sends the ball outside the antenna, the ball may be legally played back into the team's playing area, provided the ball returns over or outside the antenna and is legally returned to the opponent's court.

6.2. A player retrieving a ball from outside the playing area may not enter the opponent's court while making the play.

6.3. A ball is considered out of bounds if it contacts the ground, walls, ceiling, fixtures, objects, or any other surface outside the designated playing area, unless otherwise specified by these Standards of Play.

6.4. Ceiling Contact

A ball that contacts the ceiling may remain in play and may be legally played, provided the ball remains on the same side of the court.

6.4.1. Play may continue provided the ball remains on the attacking team's side of the court and is otherwise legally playable.

7. Scoring and Rotation

7.1. Rally-point scoring is used. The team that wins a rally is awarded one point.

7.2. When the receiving team wins a rally, it is awarded a point and gains the right to serve. The team must then rotate one position clockwise before serving.

7.3. The receiving team must complete a rotation after winning its first rally point and before serving.

8. Serving Area

8.1. At facilities where the backcourt boundary line is located within two (2) meters of a wall or other obstruction, the server may take up to one (1) step into the court to complete the serve.

8.2. This exception applies only when necessary due to the physical limitations of the facility and does not otherwise modify the serving requirements.

9. Application of Standards

9.1. These Standards of Play apply to all OFSL volleyball games unless a league-, division-, facility-, or event-specific exception has been communicated by OFSL.

9.2. The referee has final authority over the application and interpretation of these Standards of Play during a match.

9.3. OFSL may issue location-specific or league-specific modifications where necessary to accommodate facility conditions or playing formats. Any such modifications will be communicated to teams and officials.

All other rules follow Volleyball Canada’s 2026/27 Official Indoor Volleyball Rules.

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/714894582/6/

If you have any questions or concerns please contact info@ofsl.ca