12 men's teams and 12 ladies' teams will take part in the tournament. They play a round robin with 6 teams. Every team is guaranteed at least 6 matches. The 2 first in each group will play in the semifinals. The other teams play placing matches.

Rules
We will play by the new international rules. For example: Libero, Rally Point Scoring System.

We will not use the new rules about the players' dresses. The ball we use under the tournament is a white Mikasa MG VL 200.You can read more about the new rules on FIVB's homepage http://www.fivb.ch You will find the new rules under Press area letter 55 New Rules

Main changes and novelties
Rally Point Scoring System
"In Volleyball, the team winning a rally scores a point (Rally Point System). When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve, and its players rotate one position clockwise." (Game Characteristics)

Playing formula
"A set (except the deciding 5th set) is won by the team which first scores 25 points with a minimum lead of 2 points. In the case of a 24-24 tie, play is continued until a 2-point lead is achieved (26-24; 27-25; ?)." The 5th set is still played to 15 points. The winning team is still the first to win three sets.

"During set 1-4, there are two "technical time-outs" per set, each lasting 90 seconds. They are applied automatically when the leading team first reaches 8 points and 16 points." (art. 16.4.1a)

Libero
Each team has the right to play with a "Libero". (See Rule 8.5 "The Libero Player.")

Service attempt
The rule of the service attempt is deleted (13.5). Only one service is allowed. The server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service.

New sanctions scale
For a misconduct behavior, warning is no longer a sanction. The first sanction (yellow card) is a penalty (=The opponents score 1 point and take the right to serve). (Rule 21.1).

Referee's signals
Immediately after the referee's whistle to indicate the end of a rally, he/she has to indicate with the official hand signals (rule 27.1):
1st The team to serve
2nd The nature of the fault
3rd The player at fault.

Equipment
4.3.3 Players' jerseys must be numbered from 1 through 18.
4.3.3.1 The number must be placed on the jersey at the centre of the front and of the back. The colour and brightness of the numbers must contrast with the colour and brightness of the jerseys.
4.3.3.2 The number must be a minimum of 15 cm in height on the chest and a minimum of 20 cm on the back. The stripe forming the numbers shall be a minimum of 2 cm in width.

If you have questions, please let us know under address: tommy.andersson@gotlandica.se

Tommy Andersson
Sport Coordinator Volleyball

Västerhejdehallen is also situated approx. five kilometers, but to the south, of the Games Village.

Material
The label of the offical matchballs are Mikasa (Mikasa MG VL 200). The surface in Ishallen is Taraflex and in Västerhejdehallen it will be a plastic sportsflooring.

This page was updated 10/02/04
e-mail: islandgames@bigfoot.com