Rules & Regulations

Playing Time:

Akron-Canton Elite’s goal is to train elite players to play at the collegiate level with the expectation to qualify for the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.  All players will be given exceptional training at practice from all coaches.  Throughout the six-month Junior Olympic season, players will improve many skills they may or may not have had before joining the A.C.E. program.  The coaches are instructed to play the best players on any given day.  All players will have more than their fair share of playing time, however we DO NOT guarantee equal playing time on any team or at any event.  Remember, there are many levels of colleges out there recruiting our players—they are not always looking for the player that plays the most—but they are looking for persistent athletes with positive attitudes toward the team philosophy! 

An athletes playing time will be determined by their loyalty to the team, attitude, performance, and the teams’ needs at any moment.  THIS DECISION IS LEFT SOLELY TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COACH!

Practice Rules:

Akron-Canton Elite allows all of the athletes to participate fully in high school activities (other sports, leadership committees, band, cheerleading, etc.).  Competition for those events will excuse an athlete from practice.  Serious illness or absence from school is also an excuse to miss practice.  All athletes have not only committed to A.C.E. as a part of a team, but they have also invested a lot of money into their future as a volleyball player.  Therefore, we expect all athletes to be at practice and on time as often as possible.  If there are major conflictions, that will need to be discussed with the coaching staff.  Missing practice not only hurts the athlete’s growth but also the opportunity for the team to improve.

If an athlete cannot be at practice, they need to contact their coach immediately so that the coach can plan accordingly.

Horseplay is prohibited at all practices to ensure the safety of the athletes.

Volleyball shoes are to be carried into practice as to keep the gym floor dry, clean, and safe for all other participants.

Tournament Rules:

First and foremost, all players are expected to attend every event.  If there is a conflict with the tournament schedule, it should be IMMEDIATELY reported to the coach.  Again, the club philosophy entails qualifying for the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.  If the team does not have an adequate roster for each tournament, their chances of qualifying diminish.

All players are expected to be on time to every event.  The coach will set a time for the team to meet at their respective court at each tournament.  Any player late for this time may lose playing time.  This decision is left solely to the discretion of the coach.

Akron-Canton Elite is a well-respected program at the national level.  Many of its players have been recruited at all levels.  A.C.E. expects all athletes to maintain this respect by behaving responsibly at all tournaments.  This not only includes the playing facility, but at the hotels, local attractions, and restaurants.  All athletes and parents should treat the tournament directors, officials, coaches, and players with respect.    

Transportation to and from tournaments is the responsibility of the athletes’ parents or guardians.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to understand the rules of each tournament.  The A.C.E. website links each tournament to the respective tournament website.  Please check to see the rules for each facility before preparing for travel to that event.  Please arrive early to help set up the team area and to warm-up for the first match.

Tournaments:

Tournaments can be 1-4 days in duration. Teams normally play in events where they will play each team in their pool with the winning teams advancing to a Gold bracket and other teams advancing to a Silver or Bronze bracket. Most tournaments use a best 2 out of 3 games format.

Except for starting times, most tournaments do not follow a set time schedule. Matches will begin 10 minutes after the end of the previous match.  Teams must be prepared to officiate or play again.  Athletes should not leave their court until they have been informed of their duties.  If the tournament is run well, it should be over around 6:00 P.M., but to be on the safe side, DO NOT MAKE OTHER PLANS!

Officiating:

Each A.C.E. player is required to be certified as either a second-referee and/or a scorekeeper.  Officiating is a team effort.  No athlete will be excused to leave the tournament before team officiating duties are complete.  All certification cards will be collected by the respective coach for reference by any tournament official.

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