Rules of Conduct

Our purpose

Respect and sportsmanship

• Treat every player, opponent, referee, and organizer with respect — on and off the court.
• No verbal abuse, taunting, trash talk, profanity, or intimidation directed at other players, officials, or staff.
• Disagreements with calls happen — raise them calmly with the organizer or ref. Arguing aggressively, yelling, or refusing to play will not be tolerated.
• No discriminatory language or behavior based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected status. This is a zero-tolerance rule.
• Celebrate good plays — including your opponent's. This is a community first, a competition second.

Fair play

• Play every point honestly. Do not intentionally make bad calls to gain advantage.
• Follow standard indoor volleyball rules (rotation, service order, net and line violations) unless the organizer announces house rules for a specific session.
• Substitutions and rotations should be fair and give all attending players reasonable court time, especially in open-play and recreational formats.
• No coaching from the sideline in a disruptive or unsportsmanlike manner.

Safety first

• Warm up and stretch before playing — this is a 40+ league and injury prevention matters.
• Wear appropriate athletic footwear: indoor court shoes only, with no black soles or outdoor shoes that mark or damage the court.
• Remove jewelry, watches, and anything that could cause injury during play.
• Report any injury to the organizer immediately, no matter how minor.
• If you are recovering from an injury or illness, please sit out — protect yourself and your teammates.
• Anyone playing recklessly or dangerously, including unsafe collisions or disregard for others' safety, may be asked to sit out for the remainder of the session.

Attendance and commitment

• RSVP honestly on Facebook and event pages. Reliable headcounts help us balance teams and courts.
• If you RSVP yes, make every effort to show up — last-minute no-shows affect team balance for everyone.
• Arrive on time. Late arrivals may need to wait for the next rotation to avoid disrupting games in progress.
• Notify an organizer as early as possible if your plans change.

Facility rules

• Follow all facility rules and staff instructions in addition to these club rules.
• No food or outside drinks, other than water, on the courts.
• Clean up after yourself — bags, bottles, and trash go with you or in provided bins.
• Report any facility issues, including net, flooring, or equipment concerns, to an organizer or facility staff right away.
• Respect the facility schedule — courts must be cleared promptly at the end of our reserved time.

Payments and registration

• Session fees, or league dues where applicable, must be paid as instructed by the organizer before or at check-in.
• Refunds and credits for cancellations follow the policy announced for that session or league. Ask an organizer if you are unsure.
• Guests are welcome according to the event guest policy; please clear guest attendance with an organizer in advance.

Communication

• Official announcements, schedule changes, and event details are posted on our Facebook page or group and event listings — please check regularly.
• Direct questions, concerns, or feedback to the organizers rather than airing disputes publicly on social media.
• Keep social media comments on our posts positive and constructive.

Code enforcement

Organizers reserve the right to:

• Issue a verbal warning for a first violation of these rules.
• Ask a member to sit out for the remainder of a session for continued or serious violations.
• Suspend or remove a member from future Long Island Boomers events for repeated violations, unsafe conduct, or behavior that harms the community, including harassment, discrimination, or fighting.

Decisions on enforcement are at the discretion of club organizers and will be applied as fairly and consistently as possible.

Assumption of risk

Volleyball is a physical activity that carries inherent risk of injury. By participating in Long Island Boomers events, you acknowledge this risk and confirm you are physically able to participate. Long Island Boomers, its organizers, and the host facility are not liable for injuries sustained during play, except as required by law.

Agreement

Participation in any Long Island Boomers match-up, open play, or club event constitutes agreement to these Rules of Conduct. We reserve the right to update these rules as needed; the most current version will be shared with the community.