American Footvolley

American Footvolley is a blend of two classic American sports, football and volleyball. The rules largely parrallel that of volleyball, however, the key difference comes from the ball (also known as a "Squatch") that is to be used to play this sport.

Equipment
The only equipment needed to play American Footvolley is the Squatch. The squatch is in essence an American Football without the laces. The shape of the Squatch adds additional challenge to the sport as the Squatch often does not move as anticipated. If in the event you cannot find a Squatch to play with, an American football (official NCAA size) will serve as a substitute until an official Squatch can be purchased.

A squatch can be made from leather, composite leather or rubber. There is no official design or color of a Squatch.

There is no official uniform, shoe or padding required to play American Footvolley.

Where to Play
The field that American Footvolley is to be played on is known as a "Fourt". This Fourt is roughly the same as a volleyball court. No lines are used to mark the boundaries of the Fourt. Instead, the grass playing surface is to be cut shorter than the grass surrounding the Fourt. Acceptable alternative playing surfaces are sand and clay.

Most Fourts are composed of both sand/dirt and grass.

The Net
The net in American Footvolley is a very important aspect of the sport. The top of the net is to be 84" (7 feet) from the ground at it's highest point. The low point of the net should not dip below 78" (6 and 1/2 feet). The lower net allows for players of all heights to enjoy blocking shots or "Larrying" (see below) the Squatch.

The two posts that hold the ends of the net are also important. Rather than being straight up and down, the posts for American Footvolley are to be tilted inwards (towards each other) approximately 15 degrees. This adds further difficulty with game play towards the front sides of the Fourt.

Rules
The rules of American Footvolley are simple. The game is to be played with 3 to 5 players on each team. The game is started with one team serving the Squatch underhanded (with spin) to the other team. If the Squatch does not reach the other side of the net, the player is allowed one "fault" (a re-do on a serve without penalty) per serving turn. A server's turn lasts as long as the serving team is scoring. That is, if the serving team fails to win a point on a serve, the other team then becomes the serving team. More information on scoring will be listed below.

After the Squatch is served, the receiving team has 3 hits to get the Squatch back over the net to the serving team. A hit is defined as physical contact with a player and the Squatch. If the player strikes the Squatch with one hand, they may then strike it with the other hand, if needed. However, if while contacting the Squatch initially, the player uses two hands, the player may not hit the Squatch again until it has been touched by another player (on either team). Doing so will result in a point for the other team (if they served that turn) or a turnover on scoring (if your team served that turn). Also, upon the second touch of the Squatch of a player who initially contacted the Squatch with one hand, if two hands are used on the second touch, a penalty will be called. The penalty will be a point for the other team (if they served that turn) or a turnover on scoring (if your team served that turn).

Players in American Footvolley are not allowed to catch the Squatch. This will result in a point for the other team (if they served that turn) or a turnover on scoring (if your team served that turn). However, if a player is in mid-air, that player may carry the Squatch in a throwing motion. This move is very common around the net and is similar to a spike in Volleyball. This move is known as a "Larry". A "Larry" is a great way to place the Squatch on the Fourt in a manner that the other team cannot defend it.

Any player on either team is elligible to approach and play the net. There is no penalty for touching the net nor for reaching over it to the other side. However, you cannot reach for or play a Squatch from underneath the net. Players are not allowed to pull down on the net, but again, there is no penalty for incidental contact with it.

A player is allowed to kick the Squatch if they cannot hit it with a hand. This technique is very difficult and often does not result in the Squatch going where it is intended. Hitting the Squatch with a foot counts the same as a hit with a hand. The same rules apply to the feet as they do to the hand in regards to striking the Squatch with each foot. For example, if the Squatch is hit with the right foot, the same player may hit it with their left foot. However, this will count as 2 of the 3 hits allowed to get the Squatch over the net.

American Footvolley differs from most conventional sports when a questionable play arises. In the event a judge is not present to rule on the game, a "Re-do" is declared. On this re-do, the score remains the same and the serving team serves the ball again as if the last play had not occurred.

Serving
After a change of serve, the serving team must rotate players. Every person on each time will play all 3-5 positions on the Fourt.

The server has to throw the Squatch in an underhanded manner to the receiving team. While serving underhanded, the Squatch must have a spin (laterally...side to side spin) on it. One player per team, can be designated as a the non-spin server. This player is allowed to serve the Squatch in any manner that they choose as long as it is underhanded. This non-spin server typically serves the Squatch in an end-over-end manner.

There are no height restrictions on serving. However, it should be noted that a higher serve allows the receiving team to position themselves accordingly.

Scoring
Scoring in American Footvolley is similar to that of volleyball. Only the team serving can be awarded a point during a turn. If the non serving team wins the turn, they then become the serving team. They will then have the opportunity to serve for a point.

If on a turn the serving team forces the receiving team to miss the Squatch, not return the Squatch to the serving team within 3 hits, or if they hit the Squatch out of bounds, the serving team is awarded one (1) point. The game continues until one team has twenty (20) points. The winning team must also win by 2 points (...that is if at the end of the game, both teams are tied at 19 points each; in order to win, one team must have 21 points).

After a team has defeated another team, they are awarded 1 game. An official American Footvolley match is comprised of 3 games. The winner must win two of the three games. However, the final round of a tournament is to be comprised of 5 games. In this match, the winner must win three (3) of the five (5) games.

History
The sport of American Footvolley is relatively new. The origins of the sport are traced back to Morganton, GA where eager participants started trying to play volleyball with a football. There was not a field large enough to play a conventional game of football. A volleyball court was present, but the participants were lacking the proper ball. Rather than giving up, the creators made the best of their situation and thus American Footvolley was created.

Many curious spectators have initially questioned the sport due to it's new status, but have become more and more accepting of it while watching the participants play.

Link to American Footvolley Fanclub
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26624350805

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