We know every league has its own rules, so we’ve created a space where you can check out exactly how we do things at the Beach Hangar. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’ve got the rules laid out in a way that’s easy to understand and easy to play by.

At the Beach Hangar, we’ve taken inspiration from the governing body of the sport FIVB to shape our own rules. When possible, we borrowed what works best and adapted it to fit our atmosphere and community. When creating the leagues rules, the goal was to create rules that allow for the most amount of play and the least amount of arguing/judgment. 

All Leagues 

Side switches are only required at the end of every set.

There is no cap to how many serves an individual player can make.

If you run out of time, the score of the third set stands where it is.

If the score is tied at the end of your allotted time, play one more point.

If the ball hits the walls, netting or beams it is out of play.

If your body touches the net while making a play (block, set, attack) it is a point for the other team.

6s: Play 3 sets to 25 (Cap at 27).

4s: Play 2 sets to 21 (Cap at 23), third set to 15 points (Cap 17 or last serve when time expires).

2s: Play 2 sets to 21 (Cap at 23), third set to 15 points (Cap 17 or last serve when time expires).

*You only need to play the third set if it is needed OR if both teams agree to play a third set for fun*

Screening is NOT allowed. The players of the serving team must not prevent their opponent, through individual or collective screening, from seeing the service hit and the flight path of the ball. Any player of the serving team is forbidden to raise hands above the head during service, until the ball has passed beyond the net.

*If a team has extra players or subs: The extra player must play a full rotation before coming off. Meaning they must rotate through all positions on the court before subbing off. This applies to both 4s and 6s. 

Coed Gender Ratios 

Coed 6s: 2-4 non majority gender ratio.

Coed 4s: 2-2 gender ratio. 3-1 male to female ratio will result in a forfeit. 3-1 female to male ratio, there must be a conversation between team captains to ensure both teams are comfortable playing with the gender ratio.

Men’s/Women’s 2s (basically FIVB Beach Volleyball rules)

Volleying Over the Net: Shoulders and hips must be square to where the ball goes. You can jump/your feet can leave the ground. You can face backwards so long as shoulders and hips are square to where the ball goes.
Block Counts as a Touch: The block counts as a touch, leaving teams 2 additional contacts to get the ball over the net.
Volleying First Contact: Volleying on first contact is allowed EXCEPT on serve. 
No Open Hand Tips: Open hands tips are not allowed, but pokies or knuckles are.

Taking First Contact with Hands: Hands/volleying allowed on defense. You can take a free ball with your hands - so long as the contact is clean (no spin). Hands/volleying not allowed on serve receive.
Playoff Rosters: For players to be eligible for playoffs, they need to both be on your team roster AND have played in 2 weeks worth of regular season league play.
Scoring: All league games will be best 2/3. The first two sets will be played to 21 points, cap at 23 points. The third set will be played to 15 points, cap at 17 or time. Teams are to play the third set if needed, or for fun. The third set does not count towards standings unless the match is ties one set to one going into the third.
Recording Scores: Teams are to bring the whiteboard with BOTH team names on the board to the front desk. If this is not done, the score of the game will not be recorded.

Serving: Servers must alternate.

Jump Setting: Is allowed.

Link to FIVB Beach Volleyball rules: https://www.fivb.com/beach-volleyball/the-game/basic-rules/ 

Co-Ed, Men's and Women's 4s (FIVB 2s rules with slight adjustments)
Gender Ratio: Coed 4s requires a 2:2 ratio of male to female. Exceptions have been made with 3:1 female to male ratios but requires a conversation between team captains before the game is played. 
Volleying Over the Net: Shoulders and hips must be square to where the ball goes. You can jump/your feet can leave the ground. You can face backwards so long as shoulders and hips are square to where the ball goes.
Block Counts as a Touch: The block counts as a touch, leaving teams 2 additional contacts to get the ball over the net.
Volleying First Contact: Volleying on first contact is allowed EXCEPT on serve. 
No Open Hand Tips: Open hands tips are not allowed, but pokies or knuckles are.

Taking First Contact with Hands: Hands/volleying allowed on defense. You can take a free ball with your hands - so long as the contact is clean (no spin). Hands/volleying not allowed on serve receive.

Jump Setting: Is allowed.
Playoff Rosters: For players to be eligible for playoffs, they need to both be on your team roster AND have played in 2 weeks worth of regular season league play.
Scoring: All league games will be best 2/3. The first two sets will be played to 21 points, cap at 23 points. The third set will be played to 15 points, cap at 17 or time. Teams are to play the third set if needed, or for fun. The third set does not count towards standings unless the match is ties one set to one going into the third.
Recording Scores: Teams are to bring the whiteboard with BOTH team names on the board to the front desk. If this is not done, the score of the game will not be recorded.

Link to FIVB Beach Volleyball rules: https://www.fivb.com/beach-volleyball/the-game/basic-rules/ 

Co-Ed 6s (basically FIVB Court Volleyball rules)

Gender Ratio: Coed 4s requires a 4:2 ratio of male to female or female to male ratio.
Block Does NOT Counts as a Touch: The block does not count as a touch, leaving teams three additional contacts to get the ball over the net.
Volleying First Contact: Volleying on first contact is allowed on all contacts.
Open Hand Tips: Open hands tips are allowed. 
Serving Maximums: There is no serving cap. A player can serve as many times in a row so long as their team continues to win the point. 
Rotations: Teams will rotate through the serving position.  Rotate clockwise. The person who is in right back is the server.
No Front Row/Back Row: There is no dedicated front row or back row. Players can attack the ball from any position.

Playoff Rosters: For players to be eligible for playoffs, they need to both be on your team roster AND have played in 2 weeks worth of regular season league play.

Scoring: All league games will be best 2/3. All sets will be played to 25 points, cap at 27 points. Teams are to play the third set if needed, or for fun.

Recording Scores: Teams are to bring the whiteboard with BOTH team names on the board to the front desk. If this is not done, the score of the game will not be recorded.

Link to FIVB Court Volleyball rules: https://www.fivb.com/volleyball/the-game/official-volleyball-rules/