Rules
- Match Formats: Games will typically be played to 21 or 25. Occasionally 15 for pool play games, but this will be specified in the details for each tournament.
- Rotation: Teams must rotate their server, but only the server is required to rotate. The server must continue to start in back row position until the team gets a side out and has a new server. The server can change positions once the ball is served, but they cannot attack (leave their feet to swing or hit) or block at the net.
- Gender Requirements: All coed tournaments will require at least one female or non-male on the courts at all times unless specified otherwise.
- Ball Handling: Open-hand tips and carrying are illegal, especially on sets.
- Serving: Jumping serves are allowed, but blocking or attacking a serve is illegal. Serves cannot be received with open hands (you cannot set a serve).
- Blocking: Blocks do not count as one of three touches.
- Scoring: Rally scoring will be utilized for all tournaments.
- Court Movement: Players can switch positions after the serve, but rotation order must be maintained.
- Setting Over the Net: If a player sets the ball over the net, the set must be in line with their shoulders and not to the side.
- Netting: If a player touches the net at any point while the ball is live, the other team is awarded the point
- Contact Under the Net: If minor incidental contact is made under the net (ex: feet touch while players are going to block and hit) play will resume. If major contact that impacts the play is made, the opposing team of the player who goes under the net and initiates contact will be rewarded the point.
Ratings
Tournaments will be listed as one of the following:
- Open (rated and unrated players are welcome to register)
- Rated (only rated players of given ranges can register)
- Unrated Players Only (no players with ratings are eligible to participate)
When registering a team, the captain who is submitting the team will be required to list the ratings of any players on their team who have a CBVA rating.
Subs
Once the tournament starts, no players can be added to a roster. If a player is replacing somebody who was originally on the roster or being added the day of a tournament, this must be done before the tournament starts and they must sign the liability and code of conduct waiver.
Captains are welcome to fill out the contact form on the home page to make adjustments to their roster in advance of the tournament.
Refunds and Cancellation
If a tournament is cancelled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as low registrations, a full refund will be processed. If a tournament is cancelled due to low registrations, communication will be sent out at least 48 hours in advance and refunds will be immediately issued (please give up to five business days for them to be processed).
Refunds can be request no less than two weeks in advance. Once the date and time of two weeks prior to the tournament start is reach, no refunds will be issued under any circumstance.
Code of Conduct
All players participating will be required to sign a liability waiver and the code of conduct policy below on site before participating in any tournaments or events.
By registering for and participating in any Beach Bounty Volleyball tournament, all players, coaches, and spectators agree to abide by the following:
1. Rules Compliance All participants are expected to know and follow the official rules of the tournament as outlined in the Beach Bounty Volleyball rules and policies. Ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable excuse for violations.
2. Roster Requirements All teams must submit a complete and accurate roster prior to competition. Roster requirements as specified for each division must be met in full. Players not listed on the official roster will not be permitted to compete. Roster fraud or misrepresentation will result in immediate disqualification.
3. Sportsmanship All participants — players, coaches, and spectators — are expected to conduct themselves with respect toward opponents, officials, and fellow competitors at all times. Unsportsmanlike behavior including but not limited to verbal abuse, harassment, or threatening conduct will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the tournament.
4. Tournament Director Authority The Tournament Director has final say on all rule interpretations and enforcement decisions. All rulings made by the Tournament Director are final and binding. Disputes must be raised respectfully and through proper channels — arguing calls on the court is not permitted.
5. Consequences Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in warnings, point penalties, forfeiture of matches, or removal from the tournament without refund at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
Participant Waiver, Release of Liability, and Assumption of Risk
This Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Photo/Media Consent Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by the undersigned participant (“Participant”) or, if the Participant is a minor, by the Participant’s parent or legal guardian (“Guardian”), in favor of Beach Bounty Volleyball, its officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, and assigns (collectively, “Beach Bounty Volleyball”) as a condition of participation in any Beach Bounty Volleyball tournament, event, clinic, practice, or related activity (collectively, “Event”).
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. BY SIGNING BELOW, YOU ARE GIVING UP IMPORTANT LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT.
1. Description of Activity and Acknowledgment of Risks
Beach volleyball is a physically demanding sport that involves inherent risks of injury. Participant acknowledges and understands that participation in Beach Bounty Volleyball Events may involve, but is not limited to, the following risks:
- Physical contact with other participants, the ball, nets, poles, or equipment;
- Falls, collisions, overexertion, and other physical hazards associated with athletic competition;
- Exposure to outdoor environmental conditions including sun, heat, wind, sand, and inclement weather;
- Cuts, bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, concussions, or other injuries ranging from minor to severe;
- In rare cases, serious injury or death.
Participant voluntarily assumes all such risks, both known and unknown, associated with participation in Beach Bounty Volleyball Events.
2. Waiver and Release of Liability
In consideration of being permitted to participate in Beach Bounty Volleyball Events, Participant (and Guardian, if applicable) hereby voluntarily and irrevocably waives, releases, discharges, and covenants not to sue Beach Bounty Volleyball from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, arising out of or related to Participant’s participation in any Event, including but not limited to claims arising from the negligence of Beach Bounty Volleyball.
This release applies to ordinary negligence only and does not apply to claims arising from gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct.
3. Indemnification
Participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Beach Bounty Volleyball from any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or resulting from Participant’s participation in any Event, including claims made by third parties arising from Participant’s conduct.
4. Medical Authorization
In the event of injury or medical emergency, Participant authorizes Beach Bounty Volleyball and its representatives to seek and consent to emergency medical treatment on Participant’s behalf. Participant acknowledges that Beach Bounty Volleyball does not provide medical insurance and that Participant is solely responsible for any medical expenses incurred.
5. Photo, Video, and Media Release and Consent
As a condition of participation in Beach Bounty Volleyball Events, Participant irrevocably grants to Beach Bounty Volleyball a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to record, photograph, film, or otherwise capture Participant’s image, likeness, voice, name, and/or biographical information (“Media”) in connection with any Event, and to use, reproduce, distribute, modify, adapt, publish, and display such Media — in whole or in part — in any and all media formats and channels now known or hereafter developed, including but not limited to:
- Social media platforms (including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X/Twitter, and YouTube);
- Beach Bounty Volleyball’s website and digital properties;
- Print materials including flyers, brochures, banners, and advertisements;
- Press releases, news articles, and editorial content;
- Promotional and marketing campaigns.
Such use may include, without limitation, identifying Participant by name, likeness, team affiliation, or performance in connection with Beach Bounty Volleyball’s promotional, marketing, or educational purposes. Participant expressly acknowledges that Beach Bounty Volleyball shall retain all right, title, and interest in and to any Media created at Events, including all intellectual property rights therein.
Participant waives any right to inspect, approve, or receive compensation for any such use of the Media. Participant further waives any claims based on rights of publicity, privacy, or any similar rights in connection with Beach Bounty Volleyball’s authorized use of the Media as described herein.
If Participant does not wish to be photographed or filmed, Participant must notify a Beach Bounty Volleyball representative in writing prior to participating in the Event. Beach Bounty Volleyball will make reasonable efforts to honor such requests, but cannot guarantee exclusion from all media captured in public event settings.
6. Rules and Conduct
Participant agrees to comply with all Beach Bounty Volleyball rules, regulations, and instructions of event staff. Participant acknowledges that Beach Bounty Volleyball reserves the right to remove any participant from an Event for conduct deemed unsafe, disruptive, or contrary to the spirit of the sport, without refund.
7. Governing Law and Severability
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
8. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior agreements, representations, or understandings, whether written or oral.