JAM rules for Spikeball


© JAM 1996-2024

 

Spikeball

There is only one format of Spikeballl under JAM Rules. It is described in its entirety below. This rulebook will cover Mixed-Gender and Open 2’s programs. 

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

Game Time

All Spikeball games are approximately 30 minutes in length, with each team playing two games per night. Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted court time. Regardless of when your game begins your game will always end on time to allow the succeeding games to begin at their scheduled time.

Time Keeping: The JAM Ambassador on site will be keeping track of time and will determine the end of your game. In this instance, you will receive a warning indicating the final five (5) minutes of your game, a ‘Last Serve’ call and a final signal for the end of your game. Once the final signal occurs your game is over.

Timeouts: Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out per match if needed.

 

Players

Teams are comprised of two (2) players on the court at once with no roster requirements. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes after the official start time.

Roster Numbers: There are no roster requirements for this league.  

Defaults: Teams will default a match if they cannot provide a full team 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. A team that is not ready to play defaults the first set of the match, but can play the second and third games of the match if enough players show up.

 

Playing Area

All Spikeball matches will take place on a half of a regulation-sized Beach Volleyball Court.

 

Uniforms

Teams are required to bring both light and coloured shirts to every game. Team colours are posted on the JAM website in your schedule. If two teams have the same colour the team captains should contact each other to ensure that each team knows what colour to wear.

Defaults: There is no default for players that don’t wear the right colour. However, that player must do everything they can to ensure it’s not confusing for the opposition. Whether this means wearing a pinny, a hat, a teammate’s shirt, etc. Under no circumstances can a player purposely deceive the opposition.

 

Equipment/Set Up

 

Spikeball 101

The following outlines the basis of the rules of all JAM Spikeball Programs:


General Rules:

 

Scoring: 

 

Serving:

 

Rallies:

 

Discrepancies:

 

Regular Season Matches

Games can be tied during the regular season.

 

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

There must be a winner in a playoff match. In the event that the match ends in a tie, teams will partake in the following tie-breaker until a winner is determined:

In the playoffs, matches are best 3 out of 5.  If the fifth and deciding set is tied at the end of regulation time, teams will play one more point to determine the winner

 

Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play.  This rule supersedes all others. 

Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.

 

Alcohol

There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on JAM property. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. No exceptions.