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What is Tri- Ball?

Tri- Ball is a volleyball- like game in which one team plays against two.

I. The Court

The court is divided into three equal sections by three standard volleyball nets.

These sections will be indicated and referred to as Sections A, B and C. The nets are raised to the standard men's height of 7'11". The service line is in the back center of each section.

II. The Team

Four to six players are allowed per team. Co- ed rules are as follows:

• If four players are on a team, at least two must be women.
• If five players are on a team, at least two must be women.
• If six players are on team, at least three must be women.

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.

III. How To Play Tri- Ball, Fast Point, Beach Volleyball

How we physically play the ball in the game of 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 game is conducted differently.

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 is "Fast Point Volleyball." 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 hit the ball out of bounds, allow the ball to drop into their section or commit a net or serving violation. You lose points when you commit errors, and you can cause opposing teams to lose points when you offensively score on them. 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 4 serves.

Each team will get a total of 12 serves in the game. The game ends when each team has taken 12 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 4 serves.

In each round, 2 members from each team will get 2 serves apiece. 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.

Service Round 1 - Four consecutive serves for each team. Two serves each for the 1st and 2nd players in your rotation.

Service Round 2 - Four consecutive serves for each team. Two serves each for the 3rd and 4th players in your rotation.

Service Round 3 - Four consecutive serves, two each for the 5th and 6th players on the team or again for the 1st and 2nd players, if you are playing with only 4 or 5 players.

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 combination of male/ female ball hits are required.

IV. The Objective Of The Game And How To Score

Each team will begin the game with 36 points.

Because you begin with 36 points, the main objective 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.
• Hit the ball into any net on your serve.
• Hit the ball at any time into the far net that separates your two opponents.
• 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.

The objective 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 and tournament with the most points.

Tri- Court Setup Instructions

Step #1 Locate a flat area allowing a minimum of 20' between courts or other objects.

Step #2 Lay the poles and the net flat on the ground so they resemble a large "Y."

Step #3 Set the center net pole on the layout disk and spread out the three nets according to the guidelines on the layout disk.

Step #4 Attach the guylines to the poles and to the ground anchors. Straighten the net and poles.

Note: Do not tighten the guyline at this time.

Step #5 Repeat Step #4 with the remaining guylines, poles and nets. Tighten the guylines equally to assure proper net tension.

Step #6 The boundary cord has 9 loops. Lay out the boundary cord with every third loop at the pole.

Step #7 The remaining loops are used to anchor the boundary cord. Loop the 1 �8 " boundary rope around the center pole and measure a line from the pole to determine the anchoring location.

You are now ready to play Tri- Ball!