Yorkshire
Premier League Rules 2011
1. Introduction
1.1 These are
the rules for the Yorkshire Volleyball Association Men’s (a men only league)
and Ladies’ (a ladies only) Premier Leagues.
1.2 All
affiliated clubs must have a constitutionally elected committee, be well
organized and capable of supporting and sustaining a full fixture programme
within the Yorkshire region.
1.3 In the
event of a situation arising not covered herein then FIVB rules shall apply.
1.4 As an
association we believe in fair and equitable competition and so all rules must
be adhered to without exception. These league rules are voted on and ratified
by you the membership at the AGM at the end of every season.
1.5 We are not
a punitive association but there are sanctions to safeguard the sanctity of
these rules. Rarely, if ever do they need to be applied. Lets keep it that way!
2. Registration
– Teams
Before the season commences:
2.1 All teams
must be registered with Volleyball England
2.2 All teams
must be registered with Yorkshire Volleyball
2.3 League
Fees (£60) must be paid before or at the pre season meeting.
2.4 If league
fees are not paid by 1st October the team may be asked to leave the league.
2.5 Each team
shall pay a goodwill bond of £70 when they first join the league. The fee is
returned should a team leave the league at the end of a season. Failure to
comply with these rules may result in fines, which will be taken from the
offending team’s goodwill bond. (see Sanctions, below)
3. Registration
– Players
3.1 All
players must be registered with Yorkshire Volleyball and have a validated
registration card with photo attached. A minimum of 8 players must be
registered by the time of the pre season meeting.
3.2 Additional
players may be registered after the start of the season. These players may be
registered at the first game in which they are involved provided that their
registration card is complete with their photo attached. The referee must
indicate on the score sheet that a new player(s) has been registered and the
card must then be sent with score sheet to the league secretary after the
match.
3.3 No player
may be registered after March 1st.
3.4 Registration
cards must be made available to the officials and the opposing teams coach or
captain before the match commences. Failure to do so will mean that the
player(s) involved will not be permitted to take part in the match.
3.5 In the
event that a card or cards are not available the player or players involved
must be able to assure the referee of their registered status in order to
compete in the match and a fine will be levied against the offending team, see
sanctions.
3.6 In the
event that a card is not available because it is currently in the possession of
the league secretary the referee should indicate this on the score sheet, which
is of course scrutinized by the league secretary upon receipt.
3.7 Clubs with
multiple teams competing in the same league competition must register each
squad separately. Any player may play up to 2 matches for their clubs other
team. Only a maximum of two players from the clubs other team may be on court
at any one time. Once a third match is played that player is automatically
transferred to the other team and may not return within the same season.
3.8 No player
may transfer between teams after March 1st.
3.9 Volleyball
England NVL players are permitted to compete in the Yorkshire Premier Leagues.
4. Meetings
4.1 The Pre Season Meeting (September) is held to ensure that the
forthcoming season is managed effectively. It is at this time that league
fixtures are organized and confirmed and the cup draw made. It is also a time
to welcome new teams to the leagues and field any questions about the season to
come. It is important that each club is represented at this meeting by someone
who can arrange fixtures on behalf of their club. The date and venue for this
meeting will be set at the AGM at the end of the previous season.
4.2 The End of Season Meeting or AGM
(June) is held to draw the season to a close. It is a time to celebrate success
and a time and to review the season and make important decisions about the new
season to come. It is vital that your club is represented. It is the time when
these league rules are ratified for the following season. The date and venue
for this meeting will be set at the Pre Season Meeting in September.
4.3 Yorkshire
Volleyball is only as good as its member clubs. It is your Association, your
support is necessary to ensure fair and equitable competition. Each club must
be represented at both of these meetings, failure to do so will result in
sanctions.
5. Arranging
Matches
5.1 The fixtures programme will be circulated at
least two weeks prior to the Pre Season Meeting, so that club secretaries can fully
prepare, ideally organising fixtures by email, which can then be confirmed at
the meeting.
5.2 It is always the responsibility of the home
team to get their own home fixtures organized.
5.3 Arranged matches must be confirmed in writing
either by post but normally by email, not less than 2 weeks prior to the arranged
match date by both teams. You should save all confirmations until the end of
the season in case of dispute.
5.4 Once a match has been confirmed, should a team
have a justifiable reason to call it off and rearrange then they only have one
further opportunity to get the match played. If, for any reason they should
have need to call off a “confirmed” rearranged game, then they shall default
the match to the opposition.
5.5 Teams cancelling matches with less than 7 days
notice will default automatically. The only exception to this rule will be if there
are exceptional circumstances, e.g. adverse weather conditions or venue closed.
If teams cannot agree on what constitutes exceptional, the matter shall be
referred to the league secretary.
5.6 24 to 48 hours before any match club
secretaries must make a courtesy call to re-confirm arrangements. This is best
done by phone or text, but it may be done by email providing an answer is
received.
5.7 Any team who is experiencing difficulty in
contacting an opposing team should contact the league secretary immediately.
6. Match
Organisation
It is the responsibility of the home team:
6.1 To provide a registered 1st referee
and meet their expenses.
6.2 To provide a competent 2nd referee.
6.3 To provide a competent scorer with regulation
score sheet and a clearly visible scoreboard.
6.4 To make a copy of the league rules available.
6.5 To provide a minimum of 2 hours court time. Two
hours is considered adequate to complete a match, including warm up, time outs
and turnarounds, provided the following timings are observed:
The match will begin no later than 20 minutes after access to the court. If either team (home or away) is not ready to play for any reason after 20 minutes, they will forfeit the 1st set (25-0)
If the team is still not ready to play 40 minutes after the start time, they will forfeit the 2nd set (25-0)
If the team is still not ready to play 60 minutes after the start time, they will forfeit the 3rd set (25-0) and the match (3-0)
6.6 If the court is only available for the minimum 2
hour period, the home team must make it clear from the start, the time at which
play must stop and the court cleared. Should the court be available for longer
than 2 hours this must also be made clear to the visiting team.
6.7 All matches shall be the best of 5 sets.
6.8 If only 3 sets have been completed and there is
less than 5 minutes of court time remaining, the match will end and the score
will stand as a result.
If there is 5 minutes or more of available time left, the 4th set must start immediately and the team leading at the end of time will be deemed to have won that set, provided that they lead by at least one point. There shall be no time outs.
If the match is then tied at 2 sets each, the winner will be the team with the highest accumulative points from the 4 sets played. If the teams are still tied then both teams shall be awarded 2 league points.
6.9 If the 4th set has been completed and there is 5 minutes or more of available time left, the 5th set must start immediately and the team leading at the end of time (provided that they lead by at least one point) will be deemed to have won that set. (there shall be no time outs)
6.10 It is the duty of the referee to monitor the
use of time during any such 5 minute (plus) periods of play to ensure that no
team seeks to gain an advantage and to inform both teams when 1 minute of
playing time remains and to inform them when the last serve of the match is
about to be played.
6.11 All playing kit must be numbered and of uniform
colour (with the exception of the libero who must have a numbered shirt of a
different colour)
7. Score Sheets
7.1 It is the responsibility of both teams to
ensure that all details are accurately recorded on the score sheet. The score
sheet must be signed by the coaches and captains of both teams prior to the
start of the match.
7.2 After the match it is the responsibility of the
scorer to ensure that all scores are accurately recorded, totalled up and that
any players sanctions are recorded. The referee shall then check the score sheet
which must then be “signed off” by both captains.
7.3 Only the referee can write comments on the
score sheet. The league secretary must be informed in writing within 7 days of
any dispute arising from a match.
7.4 The result of the match with set scores shall
be texted to the league secretary upon completion of the match by each teams club
secretary.
7.5 It is the responsibility of the home team to
post the score sheet (and any “new” registration cards) to the league secretary
in the s.a.e’s provided within 7 days. Failure to do so could result in sanctions
against the home team.
7.6 Score sheets not received before the deadline
date at the end of the season will not be included in the final table.
8. Points
and Tables
8.1 League points will be awarded as follows;
3 points for a win.
1 point for a loss.
2 points for a “shared” match (see 6.8)
-1 point for a loss by “default”
8.2 The league champions will be the team who have
the most points at the end of the season.
8.3 In the event of a tie positions will be decided
as follows:
i. least matches lost by default
ii. most sets won
iii. least sets lost
iv. most total points scored
v. least total points conceded
vi. the results of the matches played between the tied teams
9. Promotion
and Relegation
9.1 New teams seeking promotion to the Yorkshire
Men’s or Ladies Premier Leagues must have the support of their area Association
and usually after winning their Association’s League.
9.2 There are no relegation issues pertaining to
the Ladies Premier League 2011/12.
9.3 The teams finishing 11th and 12th in the Men’s Premier League 2011/12 face the prospect of relegation.
9.4 Each of the Area Association’s Leagues (HEYVA,
SYVA & WYVA) are permitted to support one team from their league for possible
promotion.
9.5 i. If only one team from one Association League
seeks promotion then they shall “play-off” with the 12th placed Premier
team for the right to play in the Premier League in 2012/13.
ii. If 2 or 3 Association teams seek promotion then
there shall be a 4 or 5 team “play-off” and the 11th placed Premier team will
also be involved. The top 2 teams in any 4 or 5 team “play-off” will earn the
right to play in the Premier League in 2012/13.
9.6 The “play-offs” for Premier League places will
take place within the Yorkshire Area’s Champions Trophy. A tournament which is
held at the end of the season.
10. Sanctions
10.1 Any complaint or dispute must be submitted in
writing to the league secretary within 7 days. Copies must be sent to all parties
concerned. All decisions made by the Executive Committee of YVA are final and
binding.
10.2 Player sanctions should be recorded on the
score sheet by the scorer / referee.
Yellow card = 1 point
Red card = 3 points
10.3 Any player who accumulates 3 points will
receive a £10 fine.
10.4 If the same player accumulates a further 3
points they will receive a second £10 fine and a one match ban.
10.5 Failure to send a team rep to any compulsory
meeting (pre season or AGM) = £30
The only exceptions are adverse weather, breakdown and road network gridlock.
10.6 Failure to attend a “confirmed” match:
Home team at fault: they shall meet the travelling expenses of the visiting team and the referees expenses.
Visiting team at fault: they shall meet the court expenses and officials expenses of the home team where appropriate.
In all cases where one team is claiming costs from another the league secretary must be notified immediately.
The team claiming the costs shall be paid by the league treasurer from the offending teams goodwill bond.
The team at fault will default the match to the team that attends 3-0 (25-0, 25-0, 25-0) and shall have 1 league point deducted.
10.7 Failure to provide the necessary facilities for
a home match:-
i. Failure to provide a registered 1st referee for a home match.
ii. Failure to produce the necessary registration cards.
iii. Failure to send in the score sheet within 7 days.
All carry the same penalties:-
1st and 2nd offence – a written warning.
3rd and 4th offence – a £10 fine for each.
5th and subsequent offences – a deduction of 1 league point.
10.8 Use of any unregistered player – the match will
be defaulted to the opposition.
10.9 Use of a player serving a one match ban – the
match will be defaulted to the opposition and a fine of £10 levied.
11. Goodwill
Bonds
11.1 A Goodwill Bond of £70 is held by the League
for each team. Any fines levied will be subtracted from the teams goodwill bond
and any shortfall in the bond must be made good within 14 days.
11.2 A team must have cleared its debts by the time
of the AGM or its application to join the league for the following season will
be declined.
11.3 A team with outstanding debts to the league
must clear them before they receive any awards or trophies.
Junior League Rules (pdf)
