WHAT IS TRI-BALL?In Tri-Ball, your team has the creative option of playing one ball over one of two nets, to your choice of one of two opposing teams
THE COURT
- The court is divided into three equal sections by three volleyball nets.
- These sections will be indicated and referred to as sections A, B, & C.
- The service line is in the center of the back of each section.
HOW TO PLAY TRI-BALL
Tri-Ball is basically the same as standard volleyball, but because there are three nets and three teams playing on the same court, with one ball, the way the game is conducted is different.
- Each team begins each game with 36 points. Each team's objective is to hold onto as many of those 36 points as possible.
- Tri-Ball utilizes rally scoring. This means that every time the ball is served, a point will be lost by one of the three teams on the court.
- A team loses a point each time they miss-hit the ball out of bounds, allows the ball to drop into their section, or commits a net or serving violation. You lose points when you commit errors. You never make or gain points back. (See how to score for more details.)
- Each game is separated into three quick rounds. In each round, each team will get four serves.
- The game ends when each team has taken twelve serves. An average game will last from 12 to 15 minutes.
- In each round, the team in Section A will serve 4 times, then service will move clockwise to the team in Section B, then C. The next round will begin again with Section A serving four serves.
- In each round, two members from each team will get two serves a piece. Each player must serve both serves consecutively and serve to each of the opposing teams in the order of the server's choice.
Like standard volleyball, your team must rotate each time it is your next player's turn to make his/her two serves. Substitutes may be introduced after each round of serves. Substitutes must take the position of the player that is being retired from the game. Players already in the game must remain in the same position and serving rotation.Round 1: Four consecutive serves for each team. Two serves each for the 1st and 2nd players in your rotation.
Round 2: Four consecutive serves for each team. Two serves each for the 3rd and 4th players in your rotation.
Round 3: Four consecutive serves for the 5th player.
- The team receiving a serve or volley may volley the ball to either opposing team.
- Your team is allowed the standard 3 touches of the ball to set and return a serve or volley.
- No combinations of male/female ball hits are required.
Each team begins the game with 36 points. Because you begin with 36 points, the main object in Tri-Ball is to finish each game with more points than your other two opponents. Your strategy should be to defensively retain as many points as possible, while offensively chipping away at the points of your opponents. You should target the team that has the most points or the team closest to your score, if you are ahead. Points are deducted from your total each time you:
- Hit the ball out of bounds. Fail to safely return the ball to either of your opponents
- Allow another team to land the ball in your section.
- Spike or tip the ball into the opposing net at any time during play
- Foot fault during serve
- Touch or break the plane above or below the net
- Serve out of rotation
- Server fails to serve one serve to each opposing team
- Fail to rotate your team members in a clockwise pattern each time a new player on your team serves
Net serves are legal so long as they trickle over to the appropriate side needing to be served. The object is to play good defense and safely return the ball to either of the opposing teams allowing them to error and lose their points. Playing aggressive offense should be aimed at reducing the points of those teams that have more points than you. Balancing consistent defense with tactical, aggressive offense is the key to finishing each game with the most points.
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