AUGUST 10 & 11, 2024
@ TREE HOUSE SOUTH DEERFIELD
IVHF Grass Smash
Presented by the International Volleyball Hall of Fame & Pioneer Valley Volleyball Academy
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Western Massachusetts is the birthplace of volleyball and home to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
The IVHF Grass Smash celebrates that heritage with a fun filled event for players of all ages and skill levels competing for amazing prizes! AUGUST 10 & 11, 2024
TREE HOUSE SOUTH DEERFIELD 1 Community Place, South Deerfield, MA |
OUR GREAT EVENT PARTNERS
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GENERAL INFO
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WHO
Adult and Junior players from recreational to elite professional. Divisions for all skills. WHAT
The IVHF Grass Smash - The largest grass volleyball tournament in Western Massachusetts. Play in the only place in the world that can call itself the BIRTHPLACE OF VOLLEYBALL. WHEN
August 10 & 11, 2024 WHERE
Tree House South Deerfield 1 Community Place, South Deerfield, MA 01373 HOW
Find your division. Register online - first come, first serve. Registration opens May 1, 2024
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WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT THIS TOURNAMENT?
- Divisions for all skill levels
- Music All Weekend
- Great Prizes for all divisions
- Center Court / Featured Matches
- Unique Location - Play at one of the best breweries in the United States and in the only place in the world that can call itself the Birthplace of Volleyball
Multiple divisions ensure you can find the skill level that best suits you, from recreational play for fun all the way up to open/pro.
Center Court will have music and an announcer all day to highlight the exciting plays and keep the crowd energy at a peak.
The chance to win amazing prize packages that include volleyballs, gear, and so much more!
Center Court will have music and an announcer all day to highlight the exciting plays and keep the crowd energy at a peak.
The chance to win amazing prize packages that include volleyballs, gear, and so much more!
IMPORTANT DETAILS
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
8:15am Team Check-in
8:50am Warm Ups Start
9:00am First Serve
4:00pm Approximate End (may finish sooner)
Please contact us with any questions at:
[email protected]
TEXT ONLY: 413-250-1196
- Free parking is available at Tree House South Deerfield.
- Bring your own chairs and pop-up tents as those will not be provided.
- 2 balls per court will be provided for play. Please bring your own if you would like more balls to warm up with.
- All formats are subject to change.
- All teams qualify for playoffs in divisions with 16 teams or less
- Juniors are allowed to play with the adults!
- Start in B
- If both team members are strong varsity/club players, then start in A
- Need a minimum of 4 teams to run a division
- If less than 4 teams, divisions will be merged
- Format
- 2v2 or 3v3 based on division
- Long court (except for Legends Triples)
- Rally scoring
- No let serves allowed in DOUBLES - ball cannot contact the net on a serve. Let serve is legal for Triples divisions.
- The New Wilson AVP OPTX Grass Ball will be the official game ball
- All ADULT participants must have active AVP “Silver” Memberships Divisions
- All adult divisions will receive AVP Grass points
- All participants will receive free passes for a future visit to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, MA
- We will play RAIN OR SHINE. No refunds unless a state of emergency is declared by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
8:15am Team Check-in
8:50am Warm Ups Start
9:00am First Serve
4:00pm Approximate End (may finish sooner)
Please contact us with any questions at:
[email protected]
TEXT ONLY: 413-250-1196
ADULT DIVISIONS
***ALL ADULT PLAYERS MUST HAVE ATLEAST A SILVER AVP MEMBERSHIP PRIOR TO REGISTERING THEIR TEAM***
Registration is 8:15am – 8:45am both days with play starting at 9am.
No Refunds for any reason after August 9, 2024 at 5pm ET - including weather.
No Refunds for any reason after August 9, 2024 at 5pm ET - including weather.
DIVISIONS AND “SANDBAGGING”
We offer a wide variety of divisions including B, A, and Open/Pro. Register for the appropriate division. Playing below your level ("Sandbagging") will not be tolerated. This should be determined by the STRONGEST player on your team. If you are an experienced A player but your partner is a weak B player, you must play A…up to the skill level of the strongest player. Not sure what division to register for? Please check the breakdown below to properly gauge where you should be playing.
We offer a wide variety of divisions including B, A, and Open/Pro. Register for the appropriate division. Playing below your level ("Sandbagging") will not be tolerated. This should be determined by the STRONGEST player on your team. If you are an experienced A player but your partner is a weak B player, you must play A…up to the skill level of the strongest player. Not sure what division to register for? Please check the breakdown below to properly gauge where you should be playing.
- Juniors - Current high school and younger players
- Open/Pro - Generally current & former collegiate players. Extremely skilled in all aspects of the game. This is the highest level possible and you should be confident in most if not all areas of the game.
- A - Skilled in all aspects of the game. Should be able to top spin or float serve with great control and power. Comfortable hand setting, being able to attack with great control and power. Understands the game at a high level.
- B - Has played a bit or just playing for fun. Knows the game and is skilled in some aspects. Can rally and adequately bump, set, and hit.
REVERSE CO-ED OPEN/PRO DOUBLES - Sunday, August 11, 2024
Reverse Coed Open/Pro will be held on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
Cash prize for RCO Open/Pro: TO BE ANNOUNCED.
What is Reverse Co-Ed (RCO)?
Entry fee is $150 per team.
Reverse Coed Open/Pro will be held on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
Cash prize for RCO Open/Pro: TO BE ANNOUNCED.
What is Reverse Co-Ed (RCO)?
- It's still 2v2 - one male and one female
- The game is played on a women's height net for all divisions
- Men must jump to hit from behind the 10' line (which will be painted on the court). If a male is attacking a ball in front of the 10' line, his entire hand must be below the top of the net.
- Men cannot block
- There are no other special rules (i.e. - you can serve whoever you want, you can hit on 2, etc.)
Entry fee is $150 per team.
REVERSE CO-ED A & B DOUBLES - Sunday, August 11, 2024:
Reverse Coed will be held on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
What is Reverse Co-Ed (RCO)?
Prizes for Reverse CO-ED A & B will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division.
Entry fee is $80 per team.
Reverse Coed will be held on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
What is Reverse Co-Ed (RCO)?
- It's still 2v2 - one male and one female
- The game is played on a women's height net for all divisions
- Men must jump to hit from behind the 10' line (which will be painted on the court). If a male is attacking a ball in front of the 10' line, his entire hand must be below the top of the net.
- Men cannot block
- There are no other special rules (i.e. - you can serve whoever you want, you can hit on 2, etc.)
Prizes for Reverse CO-ED A & B will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division.
Entry fee is $80 per team.
MEN’S & WOMEN'S TRIPLES A & B - Sunday, August 11, 2024:
Men’s & Women's TRIPLES A and B divisions will hold pool play and play-offs on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
Prizes for Men’s & Women's Triples A & B will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division.
Entry fee is $120 per team for Men’s/Women's Triples A & B
Men’s & Women's TRIPLES A and B divisions will hold pool play and play-offs on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
Prizes for Men’s & Women's Triples A & B will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division.
Entry fee is $120 per team for Men’s/Women's Triples A & B
LEGENDS TRIPLES (COMBINED AGE OF TEAM 120+ YEARS) - Sunday, August 11, 2024:
Legends Triples will be held on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
NOTE: This division requires the combined age of the team to be 120+ years & play will be on a short court.
Entry fee is $120 per team.
Legends Triples will be held on Sunday. Play will consist of pool play followed by single elimination playoffs.
NOTE: This division requires the combined age of the team to be 120+ years & play will be on a short court.
Entry fee is $120 per team.
TOURNAMENT RULES
The IVHF Grass Smash will follow the AVP Grass Rulebook (last updated 3/3/2021) with the following exceptions, amendments, and highlights:
Tournament format: Round robin format with single elimination playoffs
Court Size: Courts are full size (“Big” Court) except for the Legends
Antennas: The net posts, and their imaginary extension, shall serve as antennas in the absence of true antennas.
Roster: Roster maximum of 2 (for doubles), 3 (for triples), and 4 (for quads) players based on division. Teams with less than the required number of players for their division on the court must forfeit.
Scoring: All games will be played using rally scoring. 2-point cap in pool play. No cap in playoffs.
Tips: No open hand tips. Knuckles, roll shots, and poke shots with firm fingers are allowed.
Double Contact: Players may double contact a hard driven ball only. The serve is never considered a hard driven ball. It is LEGAL to receive serve “open handed with finger action,” but strict hand-setting judgment must be applied to the contact.
Let Serves: Let serves are NOT legal in any Doubles 2v2 divisions. A serve contacting the net ends the rally and results in a point for the receiving team. Let serves will be allowed in Triples and 4's divisions.
Net Contact: It is a fault to contact any part of the net (including ropes & net outside the antenna) during the action of playing the ball. The action of playing the ball includes (but is not limited to) take off, hit (or attempt), landing, and follow-through. If your momentum carries you into the net it is still a violation.
Blocking: The block contact does NOT count as the first team contact; either player may make the 1st team contact.
Joust: If there are simultaneous contacts by two opponents over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits.
Foot Digs: Foot Digs are legal.
Setting Over: When the ball is set into the opponents’ court, the setters shoulders must be “squared up” or perpendicular to the line of the flight of the ball.
Time Outs: Each team is allowed one 60 second timeout per set. Time out may be requested by the players only when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service by showing the timeout hand signal.
Side Changes: Teams should switch sides of the court after every 7 points in games to 21 and every 5 points for games to 15 & 25.
Forfeit Rule: A 10-minute forfeit rule is in effect
Playing Area: Players may not enter into another court, before, during, or after hitting the ball.
Players’ Equipment: Players may play barefoot or with shoes not consisting of hard/sharp plastic/metal spikes. Soccer turf shoes or trail runners are acceptable.
Play Under the Net: There is no centerline. Players may contact any part of the opponents’ court as long as they do not interfere with the opponents’ next play. Incidental contact between opponents does not constitute interference (bump knees, briefly step on toes, etc.)
Pursuit: Pursuit is legal for any 1st contact balls that pass over or outside an antenna. A player may pursue the ball by any route including under the net and/or through the opponents’ court. The ball must be played back over or outside the antenna and the 3rd contact must be sent legally through the crossing space.
Court lines: If the lines come up during play, continue playing. If the lines coming up affects the outcome of the point, the point must be replayed. If the lines do not affect the play, the play is legal.
Errant Ball on Court: A “ball on!” call is an automatic stoppage of play. If there is a ball on the court and nobody calls “ball on!”, then it is up to the referees discretion whether or not the ball affected play.
WARMUPS
Once the match before yours ends, you will have 5 minutes of warm up time. Penalty points will be given to teams who are not starting on time. If a team is late to their next match text 413-250-1196 or let the tournament tent know, they will be docked 1 penalty point per minute they are late.
REVERSE COED RULES
All other rules above apply the same for reverse coed. We've clarified the differences in Reverse Coed below:
TIEBREAKERS
Tiebreaking playoff games will NOT be played after pool play - teams may advance to their respective playoffs based on points. YOU MUST RECORD THE CORRECT SCORE AFTER EACH MATCH.
1) Head to Head Record
2) Head to Head Point Differential
3) Total Point Differential
4) Coin Flip
If three teams are tied and there's no clear head to head winner, we move to points to determine all of their spots.
1) Total Point Differential Between Tied Teams
2) Total Point Differential in pool
3) Coin Flip
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION/FAQ
Tournament Director The tournament director has the authority to alter rules and make decisions not covered in the rules. If the tournament director does alter the rules, the tournament director will advise the participants of those changes prior to the start of the event if possible. The tournament director has absolute authority over players, game officials and spectators, on and off the court at a tournament, where the maintenance of order is concerned, and may impose disciplinary measures as needed. The tournament director has the authority to make any necessary decisions regarding entries and seeding. The tournament director may change the format of the tournament if, in their opinion, conditions warrant it. The tournament director has the authority to settle any and all disputes. The tournament director is the sole authority who determines if weather conditions warrant a suspension or cancellation of play. The tournament director is the final authority in determining if courts are safe and playable.
What is the weather policy?
This is a Rain or Shine event. Play will continue through inclement weather as much as possible - if it's necessary to stop play, it will be postponed in 30 min. increments until conditions are suitable to resume play. It's very important that all teams remain close to the event site so that games may resume in a timely manner once the weather has improved enough to resume play!
After the 2nd delay, the tournament may be moved to the following day for completion. This decision will come from the tournament director. This would be determined by safety, weather, and playing conditions.
Tournament format: Round robin format with single elimination playoffs
Court Size: Courts are full size (“Big” Court) except for the Legends
Antennas: The net posts, and their imaginary extension, shall serve as antennas in the absence of true antennas.
Roster: Roster maximum of 2 (for doubles), 3 (for triples), and 4 (for quads) players based on division. Teams with less than the required number of players for their division on the court must forfeit.
Scoring: All games will be played using rally scoring. 2-point cap in pool play. No cap in playoffs.
Tips: No open hand tips. Knuckles, roll shots, and poke shots with firm fingers are allowed.
Double Contact: Players may double contact a hard driven ball only. The serve is never considered a hard driven ball. It is LEGAL to receive serve “open handed with finger action,” but strict hand-setting judgment must be applied to the contact.
Let Serves: Let serves are NOT legal in any Doubles 2v2 divisions. A serve contacting the net ends the rally and results in a point for the receiving team. Let serves will be allowed in Triples and 4's divisions.
Net Contact: It is a fault to contact any part of the net (including ropes & net outside the antenna) during the action of playing the ball. The action of playing the ball includes (but is not limited to) take off, hit (or attempt), landing, and follow-through. If your momentum carries you into the net it is still a violation.
Blocking: The block contact does NOT count as the first team contact; either player may make the 1st team contact.
Joust: If there are simultaneous contacts by two opponents over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits.
Foot Digs: Foot Digs are legal.
Setting Over: When the ball is set into the opponents’ court, the setters shoulders must be “squared up” or perpendicular to the line of the flight of the ball.
Time Outs: Each team is allowed one 60 second timeout per set. Time out may be requested by the players only when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service by showing the timeout hand signal.
Side Changes: Teams should switch sides of the court after every 7 points in games to 21 and every 5 points for games to 15 & 25.
Forfeit Rule: A 10-minute forfeit rule is in effect
Playing Area: Players may not enter into another court, before, during, or after hitting the ball.
Players’ Equipment: Players may play barefoot or with shoes not consisting of hard/sharp plastic/metal spikes. Soccer turf shoes or trail runners are acceptable.
Play Under the Net: There is no centerline. Players may contact any part of the opponents’ court as long as they do not interfere with the opponents’ next play. Incidental contact between opponents does not constitute interference (bump knees, briefly step on toes, etc.)
Pursuit: Pursuit is legal for any 1st contact balls that pass over or outside an antenna. A player may pursue the ball by any route including under the net and/or through the opponents’ court. The ball must be played back over or outside the antenna and the 3rd contact must be sent legally through the crossing space.
Court lines: If the lines come up during play, continue playing. If the lines coming up affects the outcome of the point, the point must be replayed. If the lines do not affect the play, the play is legal.
Errant Ball on Court: A “ball on!” call is an automatic stoppage of play. If there is a ball on the court and nobody calls “ball on!”, then it is up to the referees discretion whether or not the ball affected play.
WARMUPS
Once the match before yours ends, you will have 5 minutes of warm up time. Penalty points will be given to teams who are not starting on time. If a team is late to their next match text 413-250-1196 or let the tournament tent know, they will be docked 1 penalty point per minute they are late.
REVERSE COED RULES
All other rules above apply the same for reverse coed. We've clarified the differences in Reverse Coed below:
- It's still 2v2 or 4v4 - one/two male and one/two female
- The game is played on a women's height net for all divisions
- Men must jump to hit from behind the 10' line (which will be painted on the court). If a male is attacking a ball in front of the 10' line, his entire hand must be below the top of the net.
- Men cannot block
- There are no other special rules (i.e. - you can serve whoever you want, you can hit on 2, etc.)
TIEBREAKERS
Tiebreaking playoff games will NOT be played after pool play - teams may advance to their respective playoffs based on points. YOU MUST RECORD THE CORRECT SCORE AFTER EACH MATCH.
1) Head to Head Record
2) Head to Head Point Differential
3) Total Point Differential
4) Coin Flip
If three teams are tied and there's no clear head to head winner, we move to points to determine all of their spots.
1) Total Point Differential Between Tied Teams
2) Total Point Differential in pool
3) Coin Flip
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION/FAQ
Tournament Director The tournament director has the authority to alter rules and make decisions not covered in the rules. If the tournament director does alter the rules, the tournament director will advise the participants of those changes prior to the start of the event if possible. The tournament director has absolute authority over players, game officials and spectators, on and off the court at a tournament, where the maintenance of order is concerned, and may impose disciplinary measures as needed. The tournament director has the authority to make any necessary decisions regarding entries and seeding. The tournament director may change the format of the tournament if, in their opinion, conditions warrant it. The tournament director has the authority to settle any and all disputes. The tournament director is the sole authority who determines if weather conditions warrant a suspension or cancellation of play. The tournament director is the final authority in determining if courts are safe and playable.
What is the weather policy?
This is a Rain or Shine event. Play will continue through inclement weather as much as possible - if it's necessary to stop play, it will be postponed in 30 min. increments until conditions are suitable to resume play. It's very important that all teams remain close to the event site so that games may resume in a timely manner once the weather has improved enough to resume play!
After the 2nd delay, the tournament may be moved to the following day for completion. This decision will come from the tournament director. This would be determined by safety, weather, and playing conditions.
