Rules & Conduct
Play hard. Respect the game.
Standards that make room for more players.
When USWA began hosting tournaments, clear standards of conduct were part of the experience. Some called that approach strict. Young players told us they felt safe joining because they could compete without confrontation or disrespect.
That is the purpose behind our standards: a competitive environment where players can focus on their game and the next generation feels welcome.
Respect belongs on the court.
- Respect opponents and officials. Compete without abusive language, intimidation or fighting.
- Let the game do the talking. Courtesy is welcome. Trash-talking and personal disrespect have no place in the match.
- Handle disagreements through the referee. Raise a disputed call during a stop in play and follow the event's appeals process.
- Make room for the next generation. Good sportsmanship matters on and off the court.
These principles reflect USWA's approach to conduct. Playing formats, officiating procedures and penalties must be confirmed with each event organizer.
USWA playing rules
Revised October 22, 2026.
1) Coin toss. The referee flips a coin before each game. The winner chooses whether to serve or receive.
2) Serving and doubles position. Wait for the referee to call the score before serving. An early serve is void. In doubles, the server’s partner must straddle the service line and may enter the court only after the ball passes them.
3) Foot faults. A foot fault is called if the server’s foot crosses the short line while serving, or the server’s partner enters the court before the ball passes them.
4) Catching the ball. Do not catch a ball before it bounces, even if it appears to be going long or out. If a receiver catches it, the server receives a point. If a member of the serving team catches it, the result is a down.
5) Ball contact and interference. If a returned ball hits an opponent before reaching the wall and clearly could not have reached the wall, the result is a point or a down. A player who hits the ball and crosses in front of it is penalized a point or a down. The same applies to moving into an opponent’s swing or moving in front of an opponent while their partner hits the ball.
6) Ten-second readiness. Players have ten seconds to prepare after a volley. The referee then calls the score. A player who has not requested a timeout or an appeal and is not ready within that time receives a delay-of-game warning.
7) Player calls. A player’s call stops play. The referee decides the call. A correct call is upheld; an incorrect call results in a point or a down. Block calls cannot be appealed. During a volley, players may communicate with each other, for example by saying “leave” or “go,” but must not use words reserved for the referee or line judges, such as “out,” or words that could be mistaken for an official call. Players may still make a block call.
8) Appeals and remaining on court. Dispute calls respectfully during a stop in play. Request an appeal before the referee calls the next score. Each singles player, or doubles team, may lose three appeals per game; successful appeals do not use that allowance. The referee may not refuse an eligible appeal and consults one or both line judges before making the final decision. Remain on court unless you request a timeout. Failure to return follows a warning, point deduction and possible disqualification at the referee’s discretion. A dispute may be referred to the tournament director. Resume play without further delay after the decision.
9) Screens. A screen is called only if the server moves or ducks to avoid the ball. A serve may pass close to the server’s body without being a screen. If the ball touches the server, the result is a down. A player’s screen call stops play; the referee decides the call under rule 7.
10) Changing officials. Only the tournament director may change the referee. To request a different line judge, ask the referee, who decides whether a change is warranted. Resume play without delay whether or not a change is made.
11) Timeouts and wipes. Each player or team has three one-minute timeouts per game. Request a timeout before the referee calls the score; after the score is called, wait until the next stoppage. Notify the referee when you need a wipe. Wipes are unlimited, last no more than ten seconds, and may include a quick drink. A drink during a wipe does not automatically cost a timeout or a point.
12) Injury timeout. An injury timeout lasts 15 minutes. A player who cannot continue forfeits the game. Pre-existing injuries, fatigue and cramps do not qualify for an injury timeout.
13) Sportsmanship and opponent conduct. Show good sportsmanship on and off the courts during tournaments. Do not direct profanity at a referee, line judge, opponent or tournament official. Profanity, fighting, throwing the ball away, breaking glass and other unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification. Apart from courteous sportsmanlike comments, do not talk to an opponent. Trash-talking during a game is prohibited and results in a point deduction. After one warning and one point deduction during a tournament, the player is disqualified.
14) Event format. All games are single elimination. There are no buy-backs in tournament games.
15) Getting up after a dive. After diving for a shot, stay down until you can get up without interfering with an opponent’s shot. You may move out of the way of a ball coming at you.
16) Drugs and alcohol. Do not smoke drugs or drink alcohol while playing in a USWA tournament.
17) Keeping the ball dry. If a player is wetting the ball, the referee may require gloves. Continued failure to comply may lead to a warning, point deduction and disqualification, at the referee’s discretion. Points are not awarded to the opponent for this violation.
18) Blocks and serves. If the offensive player causes a block during a volley, they keep a short. If the defensive player causes the block, the server has two serves. This also applies in doubles.
19) Calls by officials. A call by the referee or a line judge stops play. If the ball has already been hit and lands out, the result is a point or a down. If the referee stops play and the ball hits a player, it is not a point.
20) Serve between the legs. A serve that passes between a player’s legs is an automatic block.
21) Disqualification and suspension. A player disqualified from one event loses that event’s ranking points and benefits and receives a minimum one-year suspension from USWA tournaments, at the board’s discretion.