6v6 — Sixes

The basics

Pool and playoff matches are ONE set to 25, hard-capped — 25–24 is a win, no deuce. A best-of-three pool match takes ~52 minutes, and six of them is a five-hour morning that fits no permit window — which is why pool play is a single set.

Only the FINAL is best 2 of 3. In the final, sets 1 and 2 are win by 2 up to a cap of 30 (at 30–29 the next point wins), and the deciding third set is to 15, hard cap 15 — a decider never goes to deuce. This is the only win-by-2 in the entire event.

🤝 THE CAPTAINS' AGREEMENT (do this before the coin toss)

Both captains must meet before the first serve and agree on ONE of these three rotation standards for the match:

• The agreement is for the whole match. It does not change between sets.
• If the captains cannot agree, the default is Option 3 (serve order only).
• Tell your referee which option you chose. They enforce it.
• Serve order is fixed and enforced in all three options. Serving out of order is corrected immediately with no loss of points.

Libero

• A libero is optional and is part of the captains' agreement. If both captains agree, each team may use one. If either declines, no liberos for that match.
• If used: standard indoor libero restrictions apply — no attacking a ball entirely above net height, no overhand set from the front zone leading to an attack above net height. (With no attack line marked, the "front zone" is judged generously — refs call only obvious violations.)

Playing short

• Minimum 4 players. You cannot play 6v6 with 3.
• If you have only 4: you may pick up any player to fill in — provided that player's scheduled playing times do not overlap with your match. No player plays two matches at once.
• If you have 5: you play as 5. You may not pick up a 6th. Five is enough.

Blocking

• The block does not count as a contact. Three hits remain.
• Any player may make the first contact after a block, including the blocker.
• Under Option 3 (serve order only), anyone may block from anywhere.
• You may not block a serve.

Setting

• Hand-setting the serve is legal — judged to your Division's standard.
• Ball may never drop below the chin. All Divisions.
• Spin tolerance: Open/A = less than 1 full rotation. B = 2. C/Junior = 3.
• Setting over the net: Open/A/B only — shoulders square, zero rotation. C and Junior may NOT set over the net at all — automatic point to the opponent.
• Open-hand tips are illegal. Yes, in 6s too. This is the biggest adjustment for indoor players — there are no dinks at GGVB.

Injury

• 5-minute recovery, once per match.
• Open Division: injured player subbed out is done for that match.
• A and below, no rostered sub: play with a minimum of 4 for the rest of the set. The player may return for subsequent sets if fit.

Expulsion / DQ

• Disqualified: finish the set with a minimum of 4. Player returns next set.
• Expelled: finish the event with a minimum of 4. Player is out for the event.

Coed 6v6

• Net at Men's setting, no leveling blocks.
• More than one contact → a female player must make one of them.

Reverse Coed 6v6

• Net at Women's setting.
• Men may not attack the ball from above the top of the net — even standing.
• Men may not block. At all. Any male blocking contact is a fault.
• More than one contact → a male player must make one of them.

Forfeit / late

• 2 points to your opponent for every full minute you're late.
• 10 min late = forfeit the set. 20 min = forfeit the match.
• Forfeit score: 0–25.

Pool tiebreakers (different from other formats)

1. Set record (sets won − sets lost)
2. Head-to-head — set record between the tied teams only
3. Set ratio — a team that has lost no sets ranks above a team that has lost any.
4. Point ratio
5. Seed

GGVB Rules v1.1 · 6v6