4v4 Rallyball (follows VC Rules for Tripleball)

  • Athletes born January 1st, 2013 and younger are eligible to participate in 4v4 Rallyball

  • There will be 4 regular season events for 4v4 Rallyball and a two-day Ontario Championships.

  • Athletes in this age division are permitted to play in any division within ECI.

  • This stream will offer a male/coed division. This is due to the limited number of boys we experience within this age group. 

  • Check out the ECI Manual for more detailed information on our 4v4 Rallyball division!

ECI Manual 2025/26

4v4 Rallyball Rules 

Players not on the court must rotate into the game upon completion of the Tripleball sequence that follows their serve. For example: Player A serves the ball and stays on court for the following 2 free balls to complete the Tripleball sequence. Once that sequence is complete, Player A rotates out of the court and player B takes their place on the court.

All team members must play in each set. The only exception to this rule is if a team has more than 10 players on their roster, in which case they can be split into two groups who each participate in a single set. If the match goes to a third set tiebreaker, the coach can play one of the groups a second time in the match.

• Teams can use a diamond (1 front, 3 back row) or square (2 front, 2 back) defensive formation. (See diagram below *click on 4v4 Rules button)

• Teams must designate the setter position and maintain it for the whole set. The designated setting position must be front row.

NOTE: The server is always the player who has just rotated from the front row to the back row.

Example in box formation: the player who was just in the front row right side position (#1 in the diagram below) will be the server once they complete a rotation.

Example in diamond formation: the player who was just in the front row middle (#2 in the diagram below) and is rotating to the position on the right is now the server.

• The player(s) in the backcourt (serve receiver/server) are permitted to attack from anywhere on the court

Specialization Not Permitted

Warm Up Protocol
First match of the day:
8 min – shared court
4 min – exclusive serving team
4 min – exclusive receiving team

All remaining matches:
2 min – shared court
4 min – exclusive serving team
4 min – exclusive receiving team
No shared hitting or travelling under net

Medals:
No medals until Ontario Championships

Athlete Membership Level
Recreational membership – upgrade to a full competitive membership if the athlete is participating in 6v6 or TLS competitions

4v4 Rallyball Playing Regulations
• Players not on the court must rotate into the game upon completion of the Tripleball sequence that follows their serve. For example: Player A serves the ball and stays on court for the following 2 free balls to complete the Tripleball sequence. Once that sequence is complete, Player A rotates out of the court and player B takes their place on the court. • All team members must play in each set. The only exception to this rule is if a team has more than 10 players on their roster, in which case they can be split into two groups who each participate in a single set.

If the match goes to a third set tiebreaker, the coach can play one of the groups a second time in the match. • Systems of Play:  Teams must designate the setter position and maintain it for the whole set. The designated setting position must be front row. The player(s) in the back court (serve receiver/server) are permitted to attack from anywhere on the court. Teams can use a diamond (1 front, 3 back row) or square (2 front, 2 back) defensive formation.  NOTE: The server is always the player who has just rotated from the front row to the back row. ▪ Example in box formation: the player who was just in the front row right side position will be the server once they complete a rotation. ▪ Example in diamond formation: the player who was just in the front row middle (#3 in the diagram beside) and is rotating to the position on the right is now the server.

 Overview of the Tripleball Sequence:

a) The game follows a sequence of three rallies
(service, tossed ball 1, tossed ball 2).
* 1st rally – introduced by the server
* 2nd rally – tossed ball given to the receiving team
* 3rd rally – tossed ball given to the serving team
b) The service rotates between teams after each three-ball sequence.
c) A team must rotate and introduce a new server when it is their turn to serve.
d) Every ball introduced is worth one point.
e) After Triple ball/three rallies sequence Team which had a first serve replace/substitute server and opposite team just rotate with no substitution!!!

Definition: the act of putting the ball into play by the back right player, placed in the service zone *SERVING RULES

  • The first service of the first (and deciding) set is executed by the team as determined by the coin toss

  • The service order is determined by the line up sheet

  • The ball shall be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released

  • Only one toss/release of the ball is allowed

  • At the moment of the service hit or take-off for a jump service, the server must not touch the court (the end line included) or the floor outside the service zone

  • The server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service

  • A service executed before the referee’s whistle is cancelled and repeated

4v4 Rallyball Playing Regulations
• Players not on the court must rotate into the game upon completion of the Tripleball sequence that follows their serve. For example: Player A serves the ball and stays on court for the following 2 free balls to complete the Tripleball sequence. Once that sequence is complete, Player A rotates out of the court and player B takes their place on the court. • All team members must play in each set. The only exception to this rule is if a team has more than 10 players on their roster, in which case they can be split into two groups who each participate in a single set.

If the match goes to a third set tiebreaker, the coach can play one of the groups a second time in the match. • Systems of Play:  Teams must designate the setter position and maintain it for the whole set. The designated setting position must be front row. The player(s) in the back court (serve receiver/server) are permitted to attack from anywhere on the court. Teams can use a diamond (1 front, 3 back row) or square (2 front, 2 back) defensive formation.  NOTE: The server is always the player who has just rotated from the front row to the back row. ▪ Example in box formation: the player who was just in the front row right side position will be the server once they complete a rotation. ▪ Example in diamond formation: the player who was just in the front row middle (#3 in the diagram beside) and is rotating to the position on the right is now the server.

 Overview of the Tripleball Sequence:

a) The game follows a sequence of three rallies
(service, tossed ball 1, tossed ball 2).
* 1st rally – introduced by the server
* 2nd rally – tossed ball given to the receiving team
* 3rd rally – tossed ball given to the serving team
b) The service rotates between teams after each three-ball sequence.
c) A team must rotate and introduce a new server when it is their turn to serve.
d) Every ball introduced is worth one point.
e) After Triple ball/three rallies sequence Team which had a first serve replace/substitute server and opposite team just rotate with no substitution!!!

Definition: the act of putting the ball into play by the back right player, placed in the service zone *SERVING RULES

  • The first service of the first (and deciding) set is executed by the team as determined by the coin toss

  • The service order is determined by the line up sheet

  • The ball shall be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released

  • Only one toss/release of the ball is allowed

  • At the moment of the service hit or take-off for a jump service, the server must not touch the court (the end line included) or the floor outside the service zone

  • The server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service

  • A service executed before the referee’s whistle is cancelled and repeated