Rules & Guidelines

The Spikeball Tour Series and USA Roundnet are excited to partner on a Referee Initiative to advance officiating in roundnet with the following objectives in mind:

• Create a better player and fan experience
• Increase pace of play
• Increase clarity of calls
• Maintain adherence to rules
• Increase consistency in application of rules within each match

Head Referee

They are responsible for the officiating as a whole. They can make any call and overrule other officials. They maintain the pace of the game and set the boundaries on discretionary decisions.

• Before the serve
  • Ensures correct rotation
  • Ensures correct server
• During the serve
  • Follows the ball
  • Ensures correct score and rotation, keeps service timing
  • Calls toss, side pocket, rim, hitting violations, and timing violations
  • Positioned on either side of the server
• During play
  • Follows the ball
  • Calls hinder and hitting violations

Ref 2

• During the serve
  • Watches the receiver
  • Calls service height violations
  • Positioned on either side of the receiver
• During play
  • Watches the net
  • Calls rim and net contact

Ref 3

• During the serve
  • Watches the server
  • Calls foot faults and service line violations
  • Positioned on either side of the server
• During play
  • Watches the No Hit Zone
  • Calls No Hit Zone Violations

• Teams will be placed in pools where they will:
  • Play all other teams in their pool once in a game to 15 or 21
  • Play all other teams in their pool a best of 3 series to 15 or 21
• Teams are seeded in bracket based off results of pool play:
  • Losses (low to high)
  • Head to head
  • Games against (low to high)
  • Point differential ratio (high to low)
  • Did any games go to extras? (no > yes)
  • If teams are tied after all of these, flip a coin
• Single-elimination bracket (max 32 teams), best of 3 series to 21
  • Plus one round of consolation bracket

• Play one round of consolation for points, can play further for fun
  • Premier ONLY - R8: no play out, all T-5

Misconduct: Inappropriate conduct by a player towards observers, opponents, partners, spectators, or tournament personnel is classified in three categories according to the seriousness of the offense.

1. Rude conduct - Action contrary to good manner or moral principles.
2. Offensive conduct - Defamatory or insulting words or gestures or any action expressing contempt.
3. Aggression - Actual physical attack or aggressive or threatening behavior. 7.4.

Misconduct Sanction Scale:

• Warning -The first rude conduct of the match by a player is sanctioned with a warning by the observer or tournament director.
• Penalty - The second rude conduct of the same match by the same player is penalized with a point awarded by the observer or tournament director. The first offensive conduct of the match by a player is penalized with a point awarded by the observer or tournament director.
• Disqualification - The third rude conduct of the same match by the same player is sanctioned by tournament disqualification by the observer or tournament director. The second offensive conduct of the match by a player is sanctioned by tournament disqualification by the observer or tournament director. The first physical attack or implied or threatened aggression is sanctioned by tournament disqualification by the observer or tournament director.

Spectators are encouraged to attend all Spikeball Tour Series events! To ensure an enjoyable experience for both players and fans, spectators are expected to adhere to the following guidelines.

- Spectators are expected to behave in a positive manner, respecting players, tournament staff, and other attendees.
- To avoid interfering with play, spectators should be at least 40 ft from each court when possible. Please be aware of other matches happening around you!
- Spectators must refrain from entering the immediate area of play unless agreed upon by all 4 players on net (ball shagging, media coverage, etc.)
- Spectators will not litter, vandalize, or damage venue or tournament property and adhere to all posted rules.
- Spectators will not harass observers or referees.
- Spectators will refrain from using excessive abusive/foul or offensive language and obscene gestures.
- Spectators will respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all participants regardless of their age, race, national origin, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, or gender expression.

A violation of any of the above guidelines may result in immediate ejection from tournament grounds.

All tournament and venue staff work tirelessly at each of our events to ensure your tournament experience is a positive one. Have fun, root hard, show respect for the fans around you, but don't be a jerk!

Violations of any of the rules of conduct may result in a warning or expulsion from the event depending on severity.

This is dependent on the discretion of the Tournament Director and Spikeball Inc.