NCHVC Volleyball Match/Game Info

🏐 NCHC Match Rules

To ensure consistency and competitive integrity, all NCHC tournaments and events adhere to the official National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Rules, unless otherwise noted.

Reference the official NFHS Volleyball Rules: [https://nfhs.org/sports/volleyball]


General Match Guidelines

  • All sets are played using rally scoring.
  • Each set has two 30-second timeouts.
  • We start at 0 for each match.
  • Best of Three Matches: The first two sets are played to 25 points, win by 2 with no cap. The third set, if necessary, is played to 15 points, win by 2 with no cap.
  • Best of Five Sets (18u ONLY if noted in brackets): The first four sets are played to 25 points, win by 2 with no cap. The fifth set, if necessary, is played to 15 points, win by 2 with no cap.
  • Net Heights: Boys teams play on a men’s regulation net (7’ 11 ⅝”). Girls teams play on a women’s regulation net (7’ 4 ½”).
  • Volleyballs: All teams, regardless of age division, must use a regulation-size volleyball (no VolleyLites).

Team Refereeing Responsibilities

  • Pool Play & Bracket Play:
    • Home Team: Must provide a line judge and a bookkeeper.
    • Visiting Team: Must provide a line judge, a scoreboard operator, and a Libero tracker.
  • Communication: If a team cannot provide the required staff, they are responsible for communicating with the other team to request help covering the positions.
  • Bracket Games: All bracket games will have a provided R2 (second referee).

Score Reporting & Resources

  • Score Reporting: Coaches (or a designated person) MUST text scores immediately after the set is over to ensure brackets are updated promptly.
  • Text Scores to: 1 (417) 203-7447 (This is an online text number and cannot receive calls).
  • Text Format: [Gender w/ Age group] [DIVISION] [BRACKET or POOL Title] [Team name w/ score] vs [Team name w/ score]
  • Example: Girls 18u D3 Pool B San Juan Rams 25,25 vs HECHA 22,19
  • Tournament Director Resources:
    • Libero Tracking Sheet Instructions: [Click Here]
    • Volleyball Rally Scoring Tutorial for Official Scorers: [Click Here]

Pre-Game & Warm-Up Protocol

  • Pre-Game Prayer and Scripture Reading: The two teams should meet on the court before the match for a prayer led by the home team’s coach. Afterward, starters should immediately report to the end lines to begin play.
  • Warm-Ups:
    • Teams must provide their own volleyballs for warm-ups. The home team provides an approved game ball.
    • First Match of the Day: 2-5-5 format (2 min shared ball handling, 5 min solo court time for home team including serving, 5 min solo court time for visiting team including serving).
    • Subsequent Matches: Warm-ups are 4-4, including serving.
  • Timing: Warm-ups must begin immediately after the conclusion of the previous match to keep the schedule on time.

Scheduling

  • Pool Play & Bracket Play: Both will run on a rolling schedule. Matches (and warm-ups) will begin immediately upon the conclusion of the previous match on that court.
  • 4-Team Pools: Matches may be staggered depending on schedule availability.
  • Bracket Play: The bracket page can be found on NCHCLive.com under HomeSchool Volleyball.

Pool Play & Bracket Play Rules

  • Pool Play:
    • The first team listed is the home team.
    • Each match consists of two sets (unless otherwise noted), starting at 0.
    • Teams will advance based on results per the pool play sheet.
  • Bracket Play:
    • The top team listed is the home team.
    • All matches are best of 3 unless noted on the bracket as best of 5, starting at 0 points.
    • Pools in bracket play are best two of three.

Tie-Breaker Rules

  • Two-Team Ties:
    1. Head-to-head results
    2. Head-to-head point differential
    3. Overall point differential
    4. Coin flip
  • Three-Team Ties:
    1. Head to head Point differential (between games w/ teams that tie)
    2. Set % Won (# won / total sets)
    3. Overall point differential
    4. Coin flip

Team USA Guidelines

  • Team USA cannot eliminate a team from the top division or any trophy contention.
  • In pools, Team USA will advance as the last-place finisher. Their results against other teams will still affect pool results.

Uniform Guidelines

  • Shorts: No spandex or Soffee shorts are allowed as outerwear. Leggings are permitted.
  • All uniforms must be worn properly at all times. Please be responsible and follow the policies to avoid penalties.

Officials & Conduct

  • Final Rulings: Referee rulings during a game are final. The NCHC will not overrule an official decision during or after a game.
  • Conduct: Coaches, players, fans, and parents are not to approach referees after the game. Adherence to sportsmanship rules is expected from everyone.

📚 General NCHC Policies & Guidelines

  • NCHC Policies: To see the full NCHC Policies, including ejection policy, go to CLICK HERE
  • Eligibility Guidelines: To see the NCHC Eligibility Guidelines, go to CLICK HERE

© 1991-2026 National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The National HomeSchool Basketball Association (NHBA) and National HomeSchool Volleyball Association (NHVA) are proprietary divisions owned and operated by National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. The NCHC operates as a Private Voluntary Association; all events are Invitational competitions and are conditioned upon strict adherence to the Association’s governance standards.