Teams are given 5 minutes after a match has been completed to warm up for their match. Within this time limit, stretching, pepper, hitting lines and serving should be completed. Most of the IVL referees will blow their whistles to signal to the teams to end warmups and assume their positions on the court. Referees generally say "Last hit" or "Line up" or both. Some teams feel this means to stop the hitting line and start serving. An IVL warmup is not the same as a high school or college match you may have seen or played in. The last minute of warmups for high school and club is for both teams to serve. After that, no warmup of any kind is permitted.

In the IVL, if one team wishes to practice serving, they must do it within the 5 minute window. If both teams wish to practice serving, the two captains should coordinate when to start serving. Misunderstandings between teams can occur when one team huddles together before the start of a match and has to play dodge ball from incoming serves from their opponents. Referees and opposing teams will object to this since this is an abuse of the 5 minute rule.

Between games, if your team wishes to have a hitting line, you should direct those spikes into your side of the court that you will be on for game 2. That means you will have to occupy the same side of the court with your opponents until the game starts. Players have been hit by opposing players who don't follow this practice. Hitting down the line or away from the opposing team is not the solution nor the IVL rule.

When you are in a hitting line, always try to hit down the line and have someone shag your spike. Shagging your own ball is not a good idea since it means the other team quite often has to shag it for you or it results in an adjacent court having a ball on. People have been hit by spikes who were on the sidelines because no one was shagging. Hitting cross court will usually result in picking off the hitting lines of your opponents or interfering with warmups or play on other courts. If you are going to spike from the middle, let the other setter know so there are no accidents. Please use proper court etiquette.

Many times, players will ask or demand to know whether a player on the opposing team touched a ball or committed a foul. The correct procedure is to ask the ref, who will make the call based on what his or her reffing team saw. 

Only the captain can talk to the ref. 

Talking through the net is not allowed.

You can find the list of USAV indoor and beach rule books here

The standard rules for the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) for indoor and beach can be found here

• Played on a women's height net.

• There is no rule about either gender having to touch the ball before it goes over the net.

• If there is only one woman in the front row, another woman is allowed to block at the net but not hit.

• If a man is in front of the attack line and sends the ball over the net, it must travel in an upward trajectory, whether he's front row or back row.

• Jump serving is legal.

• You are allowed to have the following format of players

  • 4 women and 2 men, but only 3 of the women are allowed to play as hitters/blockers and the 4th woman must be identified to the other team and the officiating team before the match begins.

• Each supervisor has a handout explaining the proper rotation when a reverse coed team is playing with less than 6.

• There are separate rules for Reverse Coed Quads and Power Reverse Coed. Handed out at those leagues or available upon request.

While no formal grading system exists players generally have an idea of what level they are.

If you don’t know ask someone. If they don’t know… ask someone else

"A" players may play in the BB leagues, but not always in the B. "Open" players are generally asked not to play below A. Rec B leagues are for recreational play, any player not conforming to that will be asked to play at another level. Final decision by the IVL Director. Men's, Women's & Reverse Coed leagues don't affect anyone's status.

We offer a range of gyms and venues across the Bay Area, including:

• San Jose

• Saratoga

• Santa Clara

• Cupertino

• Sunnyvale

• Mountain View

• Los Altos

• Menlo Park

See Our Locations Page for more details

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.

This is a legally binding agreement that affects your rights. By signing, you waive certain legal claims against IVL.

1.  PARTIES AND PURPOSE

This Participant Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between the undersigned participant ("Participant") and Industrial Volleyball League, (operated by Bridge Volleyball Company) its members, managers, employees, volunteers, successors, and assigns (collectively "IVL"), in connection with the Participant's involvement in any IVL recreational volleyball activities, leagues, events, programs, practices, or use of any facilities arranged or managed by IVL (collectively the "Activities").

2.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS

Participant acknowledges and understands that volleyball and related physical activities involve inherent risks, dangers, and hazards, including but not limited to:

• Physical contact with other players, balls, nets, equipment, and facilities

• Sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, concussions, or other serious bodily injury

• Cardiovascular events, exhaustion, or other health-related incidents

• Slips, trips, and falls on indoor and outdoor court surfaces

• Injuries resulting from the actions or negligence of other participants

• Temporary or permanent disability, paralysis, or death

• Damage to personal property brought to or used during Activities

Participant confirms they are physically fit, have no medical conditions that would preclude participation, and have consulted with a physician if necessary. Participant participates entirely at their own risk.

3.  RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY

In consideration of being permitted to participate in IVL Activities, and to the fullest extent permitted under California law, Participant hereby releases, waives, discharges, and agrees not to sue IVL from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, or liability of any kind arising out of or in connection with Participant's participation in the Activities, including claims based on:

• Active or passive negligence of IVL or its representatives

• Negligent rescue operations or failure to provide emergency medical assistance

• Conditions of the facilities or equipment used during Activities

• The conduct, acts, or omissions of other participants or third parties

• Any injury, illness, death, or property damage arising from participation

This release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as legally permitted in the State of California. Participant understands that California Civil Code Section 1542 states:

“A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

Participant hereby expressly waives and relinquishes any rights and benefits under California Civil Code Section 1542, and any similar law of any state or territory. Participant acknowledges they may have unknown claims and expressly consents that this Agreement shall apply to all such unknown and unsuspected claims.

4.  INDEMNIFICATION

Participant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless IVL from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorney’s fees, damages, indemnities, and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, arising out of or related to: (a) Participant’s participation in the Activities; (b) Participant’s breach of this Agreement; (c) Participant’s violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation; or (d) any injury or damage caused by Participant to any person or property.

5.  PARTICIPANT CONDUCT AND FACILITY RULES

Participant agrees to comply with all facility rules, IVL policies, and applicable laws. Participant acknowledges they are responsible for any damage to facilities, equipment, or property caused by their actions. Participant agrees:

• Not to damage, deface, or misuse any facility, court, equipment, or property used in connection with IVL Activities

• To be financially responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of any property damaged due to their conduct

• To treat all facility staff, IVL staff, supervisors, referees, volunteers, and fellow participants with respect; harassment, threats, or violent behavior will result in immediate removal

• Not to use facilities in an unauthorized manner or outside of scheduled IVL session times without express written permission

• To report any facility damage, hazard, or unsafe condition to an IVL representative immediately

• To abide by IVL’s sportsmanship standards and any league-specific rules provided at the time of registration

• To consume no alcohol or illegal substances on the premises

IVL reserves the right to remove any Participant from Activities at any time for violation of facility rules, league policies, or this Agreement, without refund.

6.  MEDICAL TREATMENT AUTHORIZATION AND INSURANCE

Participant acknowledges that IVL does not carry health, accident, or medical insurance on behalf of participants. Participant is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining any personal health or accident insurance coverage. In the event of injury requiring emergency medical treatment, Participant authorizes IVL representatives to secure emergency medical assistance on their behalf. Participant agrees to be personally responsible for all costs of emergency or non-emergency medical treatment.

7.  MEDIA RELEASE

Participant grants IVL permission to photograph, record, or otherwise capture their likeness during Activities and to use such images or recordings for promotional, marketing, social media, and other legitimate business purposes, without compensation or further consent.

8.  GOVERNING LAW AND SEVERABILITY

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Venue for any dispute shall be Santa Clara County or San Mateo County, California, as appropriate to the location of the Activities giving rise to the dispute. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Participant and IVL with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements.

9.  DURATION OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall remain in effect for the duration of Participant’s involvement with IVL, including all current and future seasons, events, and Activities, until expressly revoked in writing by both parties. Participant acknowledges that each season’s participation reaffirms acceptance of the terms herein.