MATA Volleyball Tournament rules

MEN’S FORMAT

Gold Division

  • Total 6 teams in the Gold bracket.
  • 2 Non-local allowed
  • Pool Play:
    • Each team plays every other team.
    • 1 set to 21 points (cap at 21).
  • Seeding (1–6) after pool play based on:
    1. Most wins
    2. Net points (Points Scored – Points Allowed)
    3. Head-to-head result
    4. Toss (if still tied)
    5. Lottery (if more than two teams tied)

Elimination Rounds

  • Seed 3 vs Seed 6 → 25-point eliminator
  • Seed 4 vs Seed 5 → 25-point eliminator
  • Semifinals:
    • Winner (3/6) vs Seed 2
    • Winner (4/5) vs Seed 1
  • Semis & Finals: Best of 3 sets to 25 points

Silver Division

  • 9 teams, divided into 2 groups of 5 (one group has a bye team).
  • 1 Non-local allowed
  • Pool Play:
    • Round robin within group
    • 1 set to 21 points (cap at 21)
  • Seeding (1–5) per group using standard criteria.

Elimination

  • Seed 4 vs Seed 5 → 25-point eliminator
  • Semifinals:
    • Seed 3 vs Seed 2
    • Seed 4 vs Seed 1
  • Best of 3 sets to 25
  • Group winners play for the Silver Cup

Bronze Division

  • 10 teams, divided into 2 groups of 5
  • Only local players are eligible to participate. No non-local players allowed
  • Pool Play:
    • Round robin
    • 1 set to 21 points (cap at 21)
  • Seeding (1–5) per group

Elimination

  • Seed 4 vs Seed 5 → 25-point eliminator
  • Semifinals:
    • Seed 3 vs Seed 2
    • Seed 4 vs Seed 1
  • Best of 3 sets to 25
  • Group winners play for the Bronze Cup

Beginner Division

  • 7 teams, divided into 2 groups of 4 (one group has a bye team).
  • Only local players are eligible to participate. No non-local players allowed
  • Pool Play:
    • Round robin
    • 1 set to 21 points (cap at 21)
  • Seeding (1–4) per group

Elimination

  • Semifinals:
    • Seed 3 vs Seed 2
    • Seed 4 vs Seed 1
  • Best of 3 sets to 25
  • If a group has fewer than 4 teams, Seed 1 gets a bye to finals
  • Group winners play for the Beginner Cup

WOMEN’S FORMAT

  • 4 teams total.
  • Only local players are eligible to participate. No non-local players allowed
  • Round Robin:
    • Each team plays all others
    • 2 sets to 25 points
  • Seeding (1–4) based on:
    1. Set wins
    2. Net points
    3. Head-to-head
    4. Toss / Lottery

Elimination

  • Semifinals:
    • Seed 3 vs Seed 2
    • Seed 4 vs Seed 1
  • Best of 3 sets to 25
  • Winners play for the Women’s Cup

SERVING RULES

  • Serve must be from behind the end line
  • Underhand or overhand serve allowed
  • Ball must be visible before serve
  • Net-grazing serves are legal
  • Rally scoring used
  • Games played to 25 points, must win by 2

ROTATION & PLAYERS

  • Teams rotate clockwise when winning serve
  • Maximum 6 players on court
  • Changes allowed between games only
  • All players should be 18+ years

SUBSTITUTIONS

Men’s

  • Unlimited substitutions
  • Starting six retain rotation positions
  • Substitutes must re-enter original rotation spot
  • Players may not re-enter during the same dead ball

Women’s

  • Unlimited substitutions at any position

PLAYING THE GAME

  • Play starts on referee whistle
  • Maximum 3 hits per side
  • No double hit (block does not count)
  • Ball touching boundary line is IN
  • Roof rule:
    • Same side → playable
    • Opponent side → point awarded
  • In 3rd set, teams switch sides at 13 points

BASIC VIOLATIONS

  • Foot faults on serve
  • Illegal hits (carry, throw, palm)
  • Net contact during play
  • Incorrect rotation/order
  • Back-row attack from front zone
  • Blocking or attacking a serve

TIMEOUTS & BREAKS

  • 2 timeouts per set (1 minute each)
  • Maximum 5-minute break between sets
  • Toss decides first serve

COURT & EQUIPMENT

  • Court size: 18m × 9m
  • Net height: 8 ft
  • Ball weight: 9–10 oz
  • Ball pressure: 4.5 – 6.0 lbs

FINAL NOTE

  • Umpire’s decision is final
  • Organizers reserve the right to modify rules based on circumstances