How to Play Pool Volleyball

Guidelines for pool volleyball

Rule 1: There are no set rules. The pool owner makes the rules before the game gets underway. End of rules! What remains are common practices.

• Boundaries are determined before the game begins. A ball that hits the deck may or may not be considered legal.
• 2 players per side cover the entire court; 3 or more players form a front and back row. A coin toss determines the first serve.
• The server is allowed 1 serve, initiated on the far right court, behind the second row of players. The ball is tossed overhead with 1 hand and fired across the net with the other hand.
• Children under 10 years of age get a second attempt at a serve if the first serve does not go over the net.
• Whoever scores a point gets the next serve.
• Each team can make up to 3 contacts with the ball before the point is lost.
• Points are scored when a team fails to return the ball, when the ball is out of bounds, or when a team hits a ball more than 3 times before getting it over the net.
• Rotate positions clockwise before each serve.
• Teams change sides after each round.
• A team must win by 2 points. Short games play to 16 points, and long games to 25 points.
• Unlimited timeouts are allowed for refreshment and bathroom breaks.