The Cardiff Stake Youth Volleyball League is designed to give our youth a fun, uplifting, and fair sporting experience that brings wards together and promotes teamwork, fellowship, and friendly competition. Below are the official rules and structure for the 2026 season.
1. Scheduling
- Wards arrange their own match nights (to be played within a window).
- Games can be held in Cardiff Chapel, Cwmbran Chapel, or a mutually agreed external venue.
- If a fixture isn’t completed, points may be forfeited.
2. Teams
- One youth team per ward (normal youth ages 11–17).
- Friends may play if they keep standards.
- 4–6 players on court; if a team has fewer than 4, players are randomly borrowed from the other ward.
- Players must remain within their positions during play.
3. Substitutions
- If a team has subs, they rotate in whenever the team wins a rally and begins serving.
- All players should get fair court time.
- Everyone serves.
4. Match Format
- Three youth matches per fixture.
- Matches are 18 minutes long with a 2-minute changeover.
- Win by 2 clear points at or after the time limit.
- Rally scoring is used (a point every rally).
5. League Points
- 1 point per match win (up to 3 per evening).
- 1 bonus point for fair rotation and game time for all.
6. Handicap System
- If there’s a large age gap, the younger team may begin with a handicap. We will leave this to wards agreement.
- Handicap = double the average age difference.
7. Leaders Match (Optional)
- 15-minute leaders match after youth games.
- Win by 2 clear points.
- Winning ward receives 1 bonus league point.
- Maximum total points per evening is 5.
8. Game Rules
- Serving: 2 attempts allowed; younger players may step forward 1m; net serves allowed; blocking a serve is illegal.
- Touches: maximum 3 touches; no consecutive touches except blocks; kicking allowed with caution.
- Net Rules: touching the net is illegal.
- Players must rotate properly and remain in their positions.
9. Spirit of the League
- Promote unity, fairness, fun, and Christlike conduct.
- Encourage mixing of Young Women and Young Men.
- Sportsmanship expected from youth, leaders, and spectators.