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Age Definitions

Eligibility to Compete

Grand Prix Tournament

Officiating

Rules

Sportsmanship

State Tournament Qualifications

State Tournament Hotels

Team Roster Form

Tournament Entry Form

Tournament Facilities

Tournament Fees

Tournament Formats

Midland Format

Tournament Refund Policy

Tournament Schedule

Tournament Sites and Maps

 

Eligibility to Compete:


Each week the list of clubs eligible to compete in MJVBA events will updated. Only clubs deemed eligible to compete on the list may compete in tournaments.

To be eligible to compete in tournaments club must be a

  1. Current National AAU Member
  2. Current MJVBA Member
  3. Registered all athletes and non-athletes with the National AAU & MJVBA for current season.

REMEMBER: One unregistered person or club makes the event non-sanctioned and thus voids all insurance.

Click here to view a list of eligible clubs.

Clubs may enter tournaments after completing steps 1 & 2 but must complete step 3 prior to the tournament date.

Tournament Directors may only allow only clubs who have all  three steps to participate in their event.

Grand Prix Spotlight Tournament

The Grand Prix Spot Light Tournament is Sponsored by the National AAU.  Winners of the Elite Division in each age division will have their fee waived for AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Winning the Grand Prix does not mean automatic entry into Nationals. The entry deadline for AAU Nationals is prior to the Grand Prix.  Winners who  have entered and been accepted into the National Tournament will have their entry fee refunded.

The refund is a sliding scale based on number of teams entered in a division.

10 teams equals full refund, 9 teams equals 90% refund, etc.


Individual Awards will given at all levels in all age divisions.

 

Officiating:
Teams officiate, line & score at all MJVBA events.

Tournament directors will impose a $100.00 fine for each officiating assignment you miss or delay. Check with your site director before leaving.  

Modifications - for MJVBA Michigan Tournaments Only

To allow more kids the opportunity to play. We will implement the following:

For the uniform rule, for all tournaments in Michigan we will allow the libero to wear a contrasting penny or sports vest over their uniform top.  This will not lock certain players into the libero position & will give you more flexibility in kids playing.

You will still have to designate the libero before each game.

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Rules:
USA Rules
Have you purchased your rule book yet? There is a difference between HS & USA rules. AAU plays by USA rules. If you do not already have a rule book go to www.usavolleyball.org & you can view & download a rule book or you can order a rule book on-line.  If you go to the site & click on the junior section.

Click here for a comparison sheet of the rule differences between NCAA (collegiate), USAV (USA Volleyball), NFHS (high School).

MJVBA 10 & Under Rules
USA Volleyball Rules with the following exceptions for 10 & under's:

  1. Court size shall be 6m x 6m on each side (instead of 9x9).
    Rationale: Players in a smaller space will be more likely to have success moving to, and contacting the ball.
  2. Net Height shall be standard women's height (7'4 1/4 ").
    Rationale: The intent is to have the ball clear the net at a higher point than 7' (used by the 12&under's) in order to allow the receiving team to have more time to move and play the ball.
  3. Players on court shall be 4 (instead of 6).
    Rationale: Fewer players on the court means that every player needs to contact the ball more often. It also is easier for a club to field a 4 player team rather than a 6 player team.
  4. Ball shall be the Volley-Lite or equivalent.
  5. The Libero rule shall NOT be in effect.
    Rationale: Young players need to learn to play all aspects of the game before specializing. A good Libero could dominate the game at this level.
  6. All non-deciding games shall be 18 points (starting at 7-7, ending at 25).
  7. All deciding games shall be 11 points (starting at 4-4, ending at 15).
  8. No player may serve more than 5 points in a row. After the 5th point in a row, there will be an automatic side-out (with NO point awarded) and the opponent will resume serving.
    Rationale: It isn't very much fun for either team to stand around and watch one player dominate the game from the service line.

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Sportsmanship:
One person practicing good sportsmanship is far better than 50 others preaching it. -- Knute K. Rockne

No Victory is worth the sacrifice of Ideals - Unknown

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated from coaches, players or fans. Remember, these are only kids officiating. Any display of un-sportsmanlike conduct will result in your team/club being removed from the tournament and sanctioned by MJVBA.
  • Some teams/clubs have been banned from returning to certain tournaments because of bad behavior. Remember news travels fast.
  • Unfortunately we have had situations go as far as to have restraining orders issued against individuals.  
  • Remember it is the kids who get hurt in the long run.

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State Tournament Qualifications
18's-13's must compete in two Michigan MJVBA/AAU Tournaments prior to the State Tournament in order to be eligible to compete in the State Tournament

12's must compete in one Michigan MJVBA/AAU Tournament prior to the State Tournament in order to be eligible to compete in the 12 State Tournament

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State Tournament Hotels

Click here for state tournament hotels.

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Tournament Facilities:

  • Most sites do not provide seating. It would be wise to carry non-marking lawn chairs to all events.
  • No colored drinks of any kind allowed on any gym floor
  • Some facilities allow water only in the gyms
  • No plug in cookware allowed at any site
  • Most tournaments will NOT allow any coolers or food in the facility. In that case, you can have a tailgate party OUTSIDE (as long as you clean up after your group).

  • If food is allowed a deposit may be charged to bring food into the facility
  • A "clean" deposit may be charged for your area.
  • Don't be offended if you are given a trash bag to assist in keeping your area clean
  • Patrol your area

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Tournament Fees

AAU Power League $300

Grand Rapids/Muskegon 2 Day Events $250

Regular Season Tournaments: $100

Grand Prix Zonal tournament: $125

Midland Officiated/ See Format Below: $160

12 State Tournament: $125

18-13 State Tournament: $350

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Tournament Formats

All regular season tournaments will start at 9:00am unless otherwise noted on the tournament schedule page.


All regular season tournaments (not Grand Prix or states) will be a maximum of four teams per court. Teams will be guaranteed 4 matches.

All tournaments will provide teams with a minimum of 8 games (25 point rally score games).12's tournaments will have the option of 19-point games (state will be 25).

Warm-up balls & game balls are not provided by host site. Teams select one of their balls for a game ball.

It is acceptable to change the level or even age of a team as long as you notify the director 11/2 - 2 weeks before the event.

For all events teams should be entered in their proper age & level, i.e. it is not acceptable to enter a 12's teams in 14's so they can gain experience or it is the closest event. It is also not acceptable for teams to enter lower levels for any reason.

 

Midland Format

Midland Events will $160 per team

Three Matches (3 games to 21 cap of 25)

All teams play 9 games.

Start time 9:00am, usually done by 2:00pm

One registered Official

No line judges

Teams provide Scorekeeper (1per team)

Team with best record after 9 guaranteed games, wins medals.

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Tournament Refund Policy

MJVBA has a no refund Policy for entry cancellations. Some teams have entered tournaments just to save a spot and then cancel out of the tournament at the last minute not only taking the spot away from a team who would have attended but also creating a nightmare for the tournament director. This policy has virtually eliminated this situation.

Money will be refunded if you are turned away due to event being full or cancelled.

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Tournament Schedule:
Please visit our tournament schedule page here.

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