Spikeball Tour Series Rules & Guidelines

The Spikeball Tour Series and USA Roundnet are excited to partner on a Referee Initiative to advance officiating in roundnet with the following objectives in mind:

• Create a better player and fan experience
• Increase pace of play
• Increase clarity of calls
• Maintain adherence to rules
• Increase consistency in application of rules within each match

Head Referee

They are responsible for the officiating as a whole. They can make any call and overrule other officials. They maintain the pace of the game and set the boundaries on discretionary decisions.

• Before the serve
  • Ensures correct rotation
  • Ensures correct server
• During the serve
  • Follows the ball
  • Ensures correct score and rotation, keeps service timing
  • Calls toss, side pocket, rim, hitting violations, and timing violations
  • Positioned on either side of the server
• During play
  • Follows the ball
  • Calls hinder and hitting violations

Ref 2

• During the serve
  • Watches the receiver
  • Calls service height violations
  • Positioned on either side of the receiver
• During play
  • Watches the net
  • Calls rim and net contact

Ref 3

• During the serve
  • Watches the server
  • Calls foot faults and service line violations
  • Positioned on either side of the server
• During play
  • Watches the No Hit Zone
  • Calls No Hit Zone Violations

• Teams will be placed in pools where they will:
  • Play all other teams in their pool once in a game to 15 or 21
  • Play all other teams in their pool a best of 3 series to 15 or 21
• Teams are seeded in bracket based off results of pool play:
  • Losses (low to high)
  • Head to head
  • Games against (low to high)
  • Point differential ratio (high to low)
  • Did any games go to extras? (no > yes)
  • If teams are tied after all of these, flip a coin
• Single-elimination bracket (max 32 teams), best of 3 series to 21
  • Plus one round of consolation bracket

• Play one round of consolation for points, can play further for fun
  • Premier ONLY - R8: no play out, all T-5

Misconduct: Inappropriate conduct by a player towards observers, opponents, partners, spectators, or tournament personnel is classified in three categories according to the seriousness of the offense.

1. Rude conduct - Action contrary to good manner or moral principles.
2. Offensive conduct - Defamatory or insulting words or gestures or any action expressing contempt.
3. Aggression - Actual physical attack or aggressive or threatening behavior. 7.4.

Misconduct Sanction Scale:

• Warning -The first rude conduct of the match by a player is sanctioned with a warning by the observer or tournament director.
• Penalty - The second rude conduct of the same match by the same player is penalized with a point awarded by the observer or tournament director. The first offensive conduct of the match by a player is penalized with a point awarded by the observer or tournament director.
• Disqualification - The third rude conduct of the same match by the same player is sanctioned by tournament disqualification by the observer or tournament director. The second offensive conduct of the match by a player is sanctioned by tournament disqualification by the observer or tournament director. The first physical attack or implied or threatened aggression is sanctioned by tournament disqualification by the observer or tournament director.

Remember that most people play roundnet for enjoyment and spectators are expected to behave in a positive and supportive manner.

• Spectators and players will respect and appreciate each other

• Spectators will be treated in a respectful manner by players, event staff, etc.

• Spectators should be at least 40 ft from the net during play

• Spectators will refrain from entering the immediate area of play

  • A spectator may be within the area of play if all four players agree

• Spectators will respect venues, refraining from littering, vandalizing, and damaging property and adhere to posted rules

• Spectators will consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner

• Spectators will comply with all local health and safety protocols

• Observers are volunteers and calls are being made to the best of their ability

  • Spectators will not harass Observers for their decisions

• Spectators will demonstrate appropriate social behavior by not using foul language or harassing players, coaches or officials

• Spectators will respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their age, race, national origin, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression

• Coaches will respect players, other coaches, event staff, Observers, spectators, etc.
• Coaches will interact with players in a positive and encouraging manner
• Coaches will refrain from behaving in disruptive or distracting manners during play
• Coaches should stay at least 40 ft from the net during play
• Coaches may not make calls on behalf of players
• Coaches may not call timeouts on behalf of players
• Coaches may not signal or coach players during a game besides timeouts

• Coaches should encourage their athletes to take care of their physical, mental, and emotional health

Violations of any of the rules of conduct may result in a warning or expulsion from the event depending on severity.

This is dependent on the discretion of the Tournament Director and Spikeball Inc.