Volleyball Standard Levels of Play Definitions

C (Recreational)

Players may have previous experience or may be new to the game. While this is a competitive play, the main goal at this level is to get out and have some fun. This is a great place to learn the game and begin to develop fundamental skills. Any refereeing at this level will be focused primarily on keeping players safe (i.e. out of the net). If you find yourself expecting ‘cleaner’ play from your opponents then Intermediate may be a better choice for you.

B/BB (Intermediate)

Players at this level have at least a couple years of previous experience on organized teams and may have played in some weekend tournaments.  Players will be expected to have the basic fundamental skills in place and to be able to demonstrate them with some degree of consistency.

• all 3 available contacts are utilized
• passing is directed to a setter but not always accurately
• hand sets are not often double hit
• bump sets will be to the intended hitter but not necessarily to the hitters’ desired target
• hits are generally in, but not necessarily powerful or precise
• overhand serves will be consistent (or very consistent for underhand) and servers will be able to target a specific quadrant of the court
• players will tend to stay in their designated positions during the entire course of a play
• blockers and hitters understand the basic mechanics for approaches but their execution may be improperly timed

A/Open (Advanced)

Players at this level usually have significant previous experience in competitive leagues and weekend tournaments and display strong individual and team skills. Players may specialize in certain positions and teams may run plays and/or use strategic formations.

• players in this level will have a consistent overhand serve and will likely be able to target a specific position on the defensive side, some players will jump serve
• passing will generally be controlled and ‘settable’
• the majority of hand sets will be clean and some setters will have the ability to reliably accommodate a hitters preferences
• blockers will be better at coordinating their timing relative to the hitter and will be trying to take away a particular angle