9 Competition Regulations

Transcription

1 9 Competition Regulations

2 Entries A. Athletes Eligibility 1. Conditions All athletes participating in an FIVB Beach Volleyball sanctioned event must: Hold the citizenship of the country they represent, subject to the conditions set out in the FIVB Sports Regulations. Register with their respective National Federation. The Federation which is the first to issue a license or register the player is considered to be the Federation of Origin regardless of the player s citizenship. For a Change of Federation of Origin, please refer to the Sports Regulations. Register with the FIVB through their respective National Federation; For any further details, interested parties should refer to the concerned link: asp) and to the latest version of the FIVB Sport Regulations which will prevail over any other text. Provide the FIVB via with the Beach Volleyball NF-Athlete s Commitment (BVB-01) signed by the National Federation and the athlete on each page minimum 30 days before the first event s participation in season. NF-Athlete Commitments (one for each athlete) received are recorded in the BVIS system by the FIVB which allows online status verification. Delay in providing to the FIVB the commitment concerned as per the deadline leads to a fine for the respective athlete. The template Beach Volleyball NF-Athlete s Commitment (BVB-01) is available on the FIVB website under Forms section; Provide an annual health certificate (BVB-10) to the FIVB at minimum 30 days before the first event s participation in 2013 season. The annual health certificate is mandatory for all athletes that have signed the Beach Volleyball NF-Athlete s Commitment. The template annual health certificate (BVB-10) is available on the FIVB website under Forms section. Undertake the FIVB Anti-Doping education program "We play it clean!" For further information, please access FIVB online Anti-Doping education program here: RealWinner/ or via the FIVB website ( Directly complete and modify his/her personal data (such as his/ her exact coordinates, bank account information, etc.) through the new FIVB Beach Volleyball Web based application system ( according to the following procedure: Each athlete is provided with an individual user name and password sent to his/her own address. In case a new athlete wants to register, his/her National Federation fills in the basic personal data of the athlete and his/her address. After completing this information, each National Federation must click on the field send which automatically sends to the athlete s personal address his/her confidential user name and password. Athlete may modify his/her personal data (i.e. photo, personal data, physical data, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball Career, education, family, etc.) with an exception of the bank account information and team name, which have to remain the same for the duration of a season. The following fields: FIVB #, first name, last name, date of birth, passport number, nationality, gender and the team name of each athlete may only be edited by the FIVB or by the National Federation concerned. Must be entered in the FIVB Beach Volleyball event(s) by their National Federation according to the specific regulations of the event concerned; Abide by the FIVB Regulatory Framework, namely the FIVB Constitution, the FIVB Regulations and the FIVB decisions (i.e. Board of Administration and/or World Congress) as well as the regulations contained in the present FIVB Beach Volleyball Handbook; Not to have outstanding sanction fees. All sanctions are to be paid before participation to an FIVB Beach Volleyball event. Not to be suspended by the FIVB for the competition period concerned. Unauthorized events Following the decision of the 2009 Executive Committee meeting (Tokyo, 25 th November), all athletes that have taken part to unauthorized events will have their FIVB membership withdrawn for all FIVB Intercontinental, Continental and National, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball tournaments/events. Moreover, each FIVB affiliate NF is the recognized sport authority within its territory and it has the exclusive right to administer Volleyball and Beach Volleyball within its country. Each NF has the legal authority to decide how to regulate Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, making sure to abide by the FIVB constitution and each NF respective Constitution. In case one or more NFs would be implicated in activities organized by another organization not recognized by the FIVB, they risk being considered as having voluntarily abandoned their status as a member of the FIVB based on the interpretation of the constitution of the FIVB.

3 2. Athletes Participation Freedom to play shall apply for all the FIVB Beach Volleyball events including FIVB World Championships, FIVB World Tour Grand Slam, FIVB Open, FIVB Challenger, Country vs. Country and Exhibition Games. The NFs are strongly recommended entering their top ranked teams in the FIVB World Championships and FIVB World Tour Grand Slam events to support the promotion of the elite FIVB properties. 3. Top Ranked Athletes Participation Restrictions Challenger Events Athletes ranked in the top 48 ranked men (individual FIVB World Ranking) and in the top 32 ranked (individual FIVB World Ranking) women ( 30 days before the event) are not allowed to take part in Challenger events. This rule does not apply to two teams of the country hosting the event and to four (4) Wild Cards upon approval of the FIVB. In case the date of the Challenger event does not clash with the FIVB World Championships/FIVB World Tour Grand Slam or FIVB Open event, any athlete regardless of their FIVB World Ranking can participate in the Challenger event. Country vs. Country and Exhibition Games Athletes ranked in the top 64 ranked men (individual FIVB World Ranking) and in the top 48 ranked (individual FIVB World Ranking) women ( 30 days before the event) are not allowed to take part in Country vs. Country and Exhibition games in case they are organized at the same time as an FIVB World Championships/ FIVB World Tour Grand Slam/FIVB Open event. Athletes ranked in the top 64 ranked men and in the top 48 ranked women ( 30 days before the start of the event) must receive the FIVB approval to enter in Country vs. Country and Exhibition games scheduled at a different time than an FIVB World Championships/ FIVB World Tour Grand Slam event or FIVB Open. National Tour In case of a clash with an FIVB Open/FIVB World Tour Grand Slam/FIVB Senior World Championships event, top 64 ranked athletes in the individual ranking of each gender (upon Tentative NF Entry List), except the hosting country teams, cannot take part in such a National Tour leg unless authorized by the FIVB through a dedicated form. For further regulations, please see the link: B. Entry Procedure From 2013 and onwards the FIVB will implement at each FIVB Beach Volleyball event a similar principle for qualifying country place(s) as at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Therefore, a National Federation earns a place(s) in an FIVB Beach Volleyball event and it will be the sole authority to establish the team(s) composition through any of its registered athletes. The NFs will earn the places at each FIVB Beach Volleyball event in accordance with the regulations featured in this chapter while each athlete will gain FIVB World Ranking points based on their placement in each event. Therefore, the confirmed entry place(s) belong(s) to the National Federations, while the FIVB World Ranking points are earned by the athlete(s) and will remain with the athlete(s) following the FIVB competition regulations. An entry system has been established below to determine the place(s) that each National Federation is entitled to, based on individual athlete s Entry Points. In case a National Federation does not support the entry in an FIVB event of one of its registered players/teams or in case an athlete/ team encounters problems communicating with his/her National Federation to enter an FIVB Beach Volleyball tournament, the FIVB will carefully evaluate, on a case by case basis, the eventual participation of this athlete/team in the FIVB competitions. This team may be allowed to enroll directly through the FIVB Beach Volleyball Department in Lausanne, provided that: The athletes concerned have no commitment in force with any National Federation and/or a contract with a club through which they have agreed that they cannot take part to an FIVB Beach Volleyball event unless not formally authorized by the above entity(ies); The athletes concerned are not currently suspended by his/her National Federation and/or by the FIVB; The athletes concerned are eligible as per the criteria defined in the present FIVB Handbook. The athletes concerned do not require financial support from their National Federation. 1. Tentative NF Entry List National Federations can enter any eligible athletes/teams in the Tentative NF Entry List for an FIVB Beach Volleyball event through the Beach Volleyball Information System (BVIS) until the deadlines set out: FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam FIVB Beach Volleyball Open - 45 days - 30 days - 30 days Each National Federation is the sole responsible entity to enter team(s) in an FIVB Beach Volleyball event(s) through the BVIS at their entire discretion. The qualified place(s) therefore belong to the National Federation(s) concerned; however the points always remain with the athlete(s) in accordance with the FIVB competition regulations. National Federation can enter/delete or change teams composition once an entry has been completed by the deadline set out for the Tentative NF Entry List of the FIVB Beach Volleyball event. After the team(s) entry deadline set out for the Tentative NF Entry List and before the deadline set out for the Confirmed NF Entry List, National Federation can still delete or change teams composition (but no longer enter a team) of the FIVB Beach Volleyball event. After the team(s) entry deadline set out for the Tentative NF Entry List of the FIVB Beach Volleyball event, National Federation can request in writing a Late Entry until the Confirmed NF Entry List is issued. USD 1,000 Late Entry Fee has to be paid to the FIVB. FIVB reserves the right to evaluate and accept a Late Entry request case by case. If the team is accepted, it will automatically be registered in the Qualification Tournament only if the roster of Qualification Tournament will be incomplete or it will be placed as last in the Reserve teams list. National Federation entering teams through the FIVB Beach Volleyball Web based application system are responsible for any eventual sanctions related to the non fulfillment of the FIVB Regulations. 2. Confirmed NF Entry List The FIVB issues the Confirmed NF Entry List based on the FIVB NF Ranking and the NF entered teams in an FIVB Beach Volleyball event following the deadlines set out below: FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam FIVB Beach Volleyball Open - 30 days - 21 days - 21 days The Confirmed NF Entry List determines the NF place(s) earned in the tournament (Main Draw, Qualification Tournament and Reserve). Entered athletes/teams are placed in the Main Draw and the Qualification Tournament as per the sum of individual entry points. 3. NF-Team Confirmation The National Federation(s) having earned place(s) may verify and confirm their team(s) position(s) in the Confirmed NF Entry List by 4PM (Swiss time): FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam FIVB Beach Volleyball Open - 28 days - 19 days - 19 days 9 COMPETITION REGULATIONS 199

4 In case of 4 Continental teams willing to enter into the Qualification Tournament of an FIVB Open event (with insufficient points to enter directly) two (2) Continental Quota Play Off matches will be played to allow 2 teams to enter the Qualification Tournament, following the universality principles implemented for the Olympic Games. In case the number of the Continental teams will be less than 4 (3, 2, 1) when necessary, the correct number of Continental Quota Play-Off matches will be played to allow 1 team to enter the Qualification Tournament. For FIVB World Tour Grand Slam events the number of Continental teams allowed to take part of the Continental Quota Play Off is reduced to a maximum of 3, and only 1 team will have the possibility to enter the QT. For FIVB World Championships up to four (4) foreign teams per NF (excluding Wild Cards) and one (1) team granted a place from a continent that does not have any participants by Entry Points, are entitled to play in the Main Draw Tournament. 2. Host Country teams Confirmed Team Entry List The FIVB issues the Confirmed Team Entry List in accordance with the Confirmed NF Entry List and the NF-Team Confirmations received by 6PM (Swiss time): FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam FIVB Beach Volleyball Open - 28 days - 19 days - 19 days The hosting National Federation forwards the Confirmed Team Entry List, the approved Official Invitation letter and the Specific Event s Regulations of the FIVB Beach Volleyball event to the participating National Federations, FIVB Officials and Sponsors as per the below deadlines: FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam FIVB Beach Volleyball Open C. Country Quota 1. Foreign teams - 27 days - 18 days - 18 days A foreign National Federation may enter a maximum of six (6) teams in the Tentative NF Entry List of an FIVB World Championships, FIVB World Tour Grand Slam or FIVB Open event. A maximum of four (4) foreign teams per NF (excluding Wild Cards) can play in the Main Draw Tournament and the Qualification Tournament of the FIVB World Championships, FIVB World Tour Grand Slam or FIVB Open event. For FIVB World Tour Grand Slam and FIVB Open events, a maximum of three (3) foreign teams may enter the Main Draw Tournament, while the fourth (4 th ) lowest ranked team may enter Qualification Tournament even if it has sufficient Entry Points to take part to the Main Draw Tournament. For FIVB World Tour Grand Slam and FIVB Open events the universality principle is applied to allow the participation, in the Qualification Tournament, of teams (with insufficient points to directly enter the event) from all 5 Continents. The Host National Federation may enter a maximum of eight (8) teams in the Tentative NF Entry List of the FIVB World Championships; A maximum of six (6) Host NF teams (excluding Wild Cards) can play in the Main Draw Tournament of the FIVB World Championships. The Host National Federation may enter a maximum of six (6) teams in the Tentative NF Entry List of an FIVB World Tour Grand Slam or FIVB Open; For FIVB World Tour Grand Slam and FIVB Open events, a maximum of three (3) Host NF teams may enter the Main Draw Tournament, while the fourth (4 th ) lowest ranked Host NF team may enter Qualification Tournament even if it has sufficient Entry Points to take part to the Main Draw Tournament. A maximum of four (4) Host NF teams (excluding Wild Cards) can play in the Main Draw Tournament and the Qualification Tournament of the FIVB World Tour Grand Slam or FIVB Open event. A minimum of two (2) Host Country teams are granted a place in the Main Draw (despite insufficient Entry points).these two (2) teams shall have the highest Entry Points among the other Host Country teams participating in the event. In case all the Host Country teams possess no points, the hosting National Federation must inform the FIVB of the two (2) Host Country Teams with the right to enter directly into the Main Draw Tournament. The names of the Host Country teams in the Qualification Tournament may be altered by the FIVB from the Confirmed Team Entry List until 48 hours before the start of the tournament through the BVB/03 form. D. Wild Cards Tournament Level Teams FIVB World Championships FIVB World Tour Grand Slam WC Host Country WC FIVB MD/Main Draw MD/Main Draw FIVB Open MD/Main Draw Challenger MD/Main Draw 4 National Federations officially nominate any of their teams for a Wild Card through a filled out BVB/02 to be directly entered in the Main Draw of an FIVB Beach Volleyball event. National Federations must submit a filled out BVB/02 form to the FIVB upon the entry deadline (-30/-45 days) for the FIVB Beach Volleyball event concerned. Any requests for Wild Cards received after the entry deadline will not be taken into consideration. Wild Cards are granted outside of the Country Quota (host & foreign) set for each FIVB Beach Volleyball event. When granting a Wild Card, the FIVB considers requests from the Host NF based on promotional aspects, technical merits, athletes career, rookie team status of the team, etc. Wild Cards are announced through the Confirmed Team Entry List issued by the FIVB for the FIVB Beach Volleyball event concerned.

5 In principle, an athlete is eligible for a maximum of two (2) Wild Cards per season. Should any additional Wild Cards be requested by an athlete who already received two (2) Wild Cards, the FIVB reserves the right to evaluate the request and to decide to grant an additional Wild Card. Exceptions to this principle can also be made for promotional purposes and in case relevant reasons are brought up by the Organizers to the FIVB. In principle, Wild Cards are not granted to Host NF where none of the Host NF teams are eligible to enter the Main Draw directly by their Entry Points (as the Host Country already benefits from 2 granted places in the Main Draw Tournament). Exceptions to this principle can be made for promotional purposes and in case relevant reasons are brought up by the Organizers to the FIVB. The winning teams of the three (3) 2013 FIVB Underage World Championships (U19, U21 and U23) will be granted a Wild Card for an FIVB Beach Volleyball event (possibly at an FIVB Open event) of the same season or of the following. Wild Cards for winning teams of FIVB Underage World Championships do not affect the Country Quota. 9.2 Withdrawals / Disbands / Change of Athlete A. Withdrawal Procedures 1. Up to Confirmed NF Entry List Before the Confirmed NF Entry List deadline the participating National Federations may: Withdraw or remove a team(s) from an FIVB Beach Volleyball event directly through the Beach Volleyball Information System (BVIS); Disband/alter a composition of a team(s) directly through the Beach Volleyball Information System (BVIS). 2. Between the Confirmed NF Entry List and up to Confirmed Team Entry List The National Federation(s) having earned place(s) may verify and confirm (if needed) their team(s) position(s) in the Confirmed NF Entry List. 3. After Confirmed NF Entry List and up to Friday before the Event Once the Confirmed NF Entry List is issued by the FIVB, the participating National Federations may: Submit a withdrawal, disband or change of athlete request to the FIVB through the BVB/03 form without a supporting Medical Certificate. In case of an injury, submit a change of athlete request to the FIVB through the BVB/03 form supported by a valid Medical Certificate. In case of an injury each individual athlete is allowed to change partner and gain or retain a Main Draw spot only once in a season. In case of a change of athlete in a Qualification Tournament, team is allowed to retain its spot only in case of sufficient Entry points. An NF may not withdraw an athlete or a team entered in a Qualification Tournament or Main Draw Tournament (supported or not by a valid Medical Certificate) from an FIVB Beach Volleyball event to participate in another Beach Volleyball tournament/ activity scheduled at the same time. Reserve teams are added to the Confirmed Team Entry List and are constantly updated until the Preliminary Inquiry of the Qualification Tournament (where applicable) or Main Draw Tournament of an FIVB Beach Volleyball event. Reserve Teams must register and be present at the Preliminary Inquiry and the Technical Meeting of the Qualification Tournament (if applicable) or Main Draw Tournament of the FIVB Beach Volleyball event to be considered for the inclusion in the tournament, due to late withdrawals or no shows. The FIVB website will be updated after every withdrawal and substitution of players approved by the FIVB after the confirmed list has been issued. In case of a withdrawal of a team, its position in the main draw will be maintained and another team of the same country (if any are in the Reserve List) will then replace the withdrawn team. In case there is no replacement team from the same country in the Reserve List, the next team in the NF ranking will be eligible to enter in the main draw or qualification in the vacant position. B. Last Minute Withdrawals After the Friday (5pm Swiss time) before an FIVB Beach Volleyball event and until 1 minute before the start of the Preliminary Inquiry of a Qualification Tournament (where applicable) or a Main Draw Tournament of the FIVB Beach Volleyball event, the participating National Federations may submit a withdrawal, disband or change of athlete request to the FIVB Technical Supervisor assigned to the FIVB Beach Volleyball event through the BVB/03 form for a team/ athlete only if supported by a valid Medical Certificate. Failure to comply with the above requirements and deadlines for the last minute withdrawals/disbands or change of athlete shall result in applied fines to the athlete(s) concerned: Team/athlete in Qualification Tournament USD 500 Team/athlete in Main Draw Tournament USD 3,000 Any applied fine is payable to the FIVB before the next participation in an FIVB Beach Volleyball event or before the Technical Meeting of the next FIVB Beach Volleyball event directly to the FIVB Technical Supervisor, at the latest. An athlete/team may be prevented from participating in case of outstanding fines. In case of withdrawal(s) of team(s), in Qualification Tournament, the next eligible team(s) in the Reserve in the Confirmed Team Entry List shall be picked up. 9 COMPETITION REGULATIONS 201

6 In case of withdrawal(s) of team(s) in the Main Draw Tournament after the start of the Qualification Tournament, extra team(s) shall qualify to the Main Draw Tournament from the Qualification Tournament under the Lucky Loser draw regulations. The extra team(s) are with the highest seed in the Qualification Tournament among the teams failing to qualify to the Main Draw Tournament by losing the last round of the Qualification Tournament, provided they attend the Technical Meeting of the Main Draw Tournament. A Lucky Loser Draw procedure is implemented by the FIVB Technical Supervisor. The FIVB Technical Supervisor must draw between the two highest ranked teams among the eligible Lucky Losers. For each additional available spot from the Qualification Tournament to the Main Draw Tournament, the next highest ranked team must be drawn against the loser of the previous draw. This procedure continues until all additional open spots are filled. D. Late Arrival In the event that an athlete arrives late to the Technical Meeting (having gone through the procedures of the Preliminary Inquiry), as confirmed by the FIVB Technical Supervisor, a fine of USD 150 (Qualification Tournament) or USD 250 (Main Draw Tournament) may be imposed on him/her, depending on the reasons for the delay. Such fine shall be paid prior to participation in the first match of the tournament concerned. Special cases of late arrival may be considered upon proof of force majeure reason communicated to the FIVB Technical Supervisor and FIVB Beach Volleyball Department (before the start of the Preliminary Inquiry). Notes: a) The Qualification and Main Draw Tournaments are deemed to have started once the seeding has been confirmed and no further changes are allowed. b) The athlete is responsible for requesting from his/her National Federation (or for consulting the FIVB website under the General Information section of each FIVB Beach Volleyball event) the Specific Event s Regulations (BVB/06 Form) once the Confirmed Team Entry List is issued and upon arrival at the venue to verify the time and place of the Technical Meeting and all other relevant information for the event. C. No-Show If an athlete fails to attend the Preliminary Inquiry and to notify the FIVB or the Organizers in advance, that athlete s team is eliminated from the tournament and a fine of USD 500 (Qualification Tournament) or USD 3,000 (Main Draw) is imposed on him/her, unless the FIVB accepts to the reason as force majeure. The athlete has to prove the circumstances constituting the force majeure. 202

7 9.3 FIVB World Ranking The FIVB World Ranking provides an objective scale of values of all athletes/teams participating in recognized Beach Volleyball events, on a merit basis. FIVB World Ranking Points are earned by each player competing in any recognized Beach Volleyball event. The higher the tournament ranking, the higher the points earned and the higher the level of the event the higher the points that are available. The following event categories are recognized by the FIVB and, thus the FIVB World Ranking: Event Category FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Grand Slam FIVB Beach Volleyball Open FIVB Beach Volleyball Underage World Championships FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification & Final Recognized Continental Tour/Final/Master/Zonal Under the Jurisdiction of FIVB FIVB FIVB FIVB FIVB CONFEDERATION CONCERNED 9 COMPETITION REGULATIONS Continental Cup & Continental Cup Final Challenger Continental Underage Championships/Final Recognized National Tour CONFEDERATION CONCERNED CONFEDERATION CONCERNED OR FIVB CONFEDERATION CONCERNED NATIONAL FEDERATION CONCERNED IMPORTANT NOTE: If the results of each recognized event are not submitted to the FIVB on the last day of the event through the BVIS or an official communication (see Chapter 12), the FIVB World Ranking points will not be allocated. 203

8 FIVB Beach World Ranking Point System Rank Senior WCHs Grand Slam Open/ Continental Tour Final/ Continental Cup Final Continental Tour Master/ Challenger Continental Tour & Zonal/ FIVB U19/ U21/U23 WCHs Continental Cup Continental Underage Champs Homologated National Tour 1 st nd rd th th th th th rd th If an event is played in a double Elimination format the following point attribution shall apply: Rank Continental Tour Master/ Challenger Continental Tour and Zonal 7 th th The FIVB World Ranking is the ranking of teams which have accumulated the most of FIVB World Ranking points as a team in a calendar year (Season) earned in FIVB recognized/sanctioned events (as above). In 2013, the FIVB World Ranking shall be issued after the first FIVB Beach Volleyball event and thereon updated on the Monday after each FIVB recognized Beach Volleyball event. The team with the most FIVB World Ranking points on Monday after the last FIVB Beach Volleyball event of the calendar year shall be named FIVB World Ranking Winner. Titles and trophies are presented to the best three teams in the FIVB World Ranking, the top individual athlete of each gender as well as to other athletes for the fastest service, best rookie, etc. who may be also rewarded at the end of the season. 9.4 Entry System The FIVB NF Ranking defines the ranking of the NFs based on their individual athlete(s) Entry points. The FIVB NF Ranking will be updated every Monday. The FIVB NF Ranking is used to determine which National Federations have earned a berth(s) into a tournament. Entry points are calculated when issuing the Confirmed NF Entry List (-30/-21 days before the FIVB Beach Volleyball event) by adding each athlete s FIVB World Ranking points earned in best six (6) of their last eight (8) events among all FIVB recognized/sanctioned events (FIVB Senior World Championships, FIVB World Tour Grand Slam, FIVB Open, recognized Continental Tour Final, Continental Cup Final, Continental Tour Master, Challenger, Continental Tour and Zonal, FIVB U19/U21/U23 World Championships, Continental Cup, Continental Underage Championships/Final and homologated National Tour legs) over 365-day period from the date Entry points are calculated. The FIVB World Ranking points earned from Continental Tour Master, Challenger, Continental Tour and Zonal, FIVB U19/U21/U23 World Championships, Continental Cup, Continental Underage Championships and homologated National Tour legs are included only if they improve an athlete s standing. The sum of individual entry points of a team will determine the Main Draw Team List and the Qualification Team List. The change of a player due to injury can only occur once in the Main Draw throughout 2013 season in order for the new team to keep their position in the Main Draw despite the fact that the sum of the new team s individual Entry points are not sufficient to maintain their Main Draw position. Players that have not played in four FIVB events in a row during a season will be removed from the calculations of the NF Ranking. Any players that return to the FIVB after being removed from the NF Ranking can only be eligible to appear again in the NF Ranking after he/she will play in an FIVB event (Not only by registering in an FIVB event). 9.5 Seeding System The seeding of the Main Draw and Qualification of the FIVB Grand Slam and Open events will be based on the FIVB Seeding Points (The sum of the individual FIVB Points earned from the best 6 of last 8 among all FIVB recognized/sanctioned events over a 365-day period) on the date of the Technical Meeting. The 8 teams that qualify for the main draw in FIVB Grand Slam and Open events will be seeded as per their FIVB Seeding Points (The sum of the individual FIVB Points earned from the best 6 of last 8 among all FIVB recognized/sanctioned events over a 365-day period) on the date of the Technical Meeting. 204

9 The following competition formats are applied for the Main Draw Tournaments: 9.6 Extended Absence Due to Maternity Leave or Serious Injury Maternity Leave If an athlete returns to play within 365 days from the birth of the child, 5/6 of their Entry points at 18 months before the birth of the child shall apply; if they return to play after 365 days, 3/6 of their Entry points at 18 months before the birth of the child shall apply. For an entry into subsequent events the FIVB World Ranking points earned at the first event shall be added, but 1/6 shall be subtracted from the starting total. For each subsequent entry the same rule applies. After 6 tournaments, no points will be subtracted and the FIVB World Ranking points earned at those 6 tournaments will be his/her entry points. Serious Injury In case of severe injury, the athlete must provide a valid medical certificate and must not be able to play for 365 days. 5/6 of their Entry points calculated within 365 days before the injury shall apply upon their return. For entry into subsequent events the FIVB World Ranking points earned at the first event shall be added, but 1/6 shall be subtracted from the starting total. For each subsequent entry the same rule applies. 9.7 Competition and Match Format A. General Principles In principle, an FIVB Beach Volleyball event is composed of the following phases: Continental Quota Play Off (if any) Host Country Quota Playoff (if any) Qualification Tournament (applicable only for FIVB Open and FIVB World Tour Grand Slam events) Main Draw Tournament The Qualification Tournament is played in a Single Elimination format with a maximum of thirty-two (32) teams for an FIVB Open and twenty-four (24) teams for an FIVB World Tour Grand Slam event after Country Quota calculations. FIVB EVENT CATEGORY FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships COMPETITION FORMAT Twelve (12) pools of four (4) teams each playing Round Robin distributed through the serpentine system. Eight (8) pools of four (4) teams each FIVB Beach Volleyball playing Round Robin distributed through World Tour Grand Slam the serpentine system. FIVB Beach Volleyball Open Eight (8) pools of four (4) teams each playing Round Robin distributed through the serpentine system. Exceptions can be made to adapt to specific situations upon the Organizer s request and with the prior approval of the FIVB. In principle, once the tournament starts, no changes should be introduced in the competition/match format (the FIVB nevertheless reserves the right to apply amendments in extreme cases). Also, no special rules regarding competition/match regulations should be made during the season. Any eventual amendments related to the competition/match regulations should be communicated to the players advisors and signed off in agreement between them and the FIVB. Note: Athletes upon signing in during the preliminary inquiry confirm their entry points and total points, prior to the start or during the technical meeting. B. Qualification Tournament (Day 1) For FIVB World Tour Grand Slam events, a maximum of twentyfour (24) teams can be entered in the Qualification Tournament. The Qualification Tournament is played until eight (8) teams qualify to the quarter-final of the single elimination tournament (plus any possible additional teams in accordance with the Lucky loser draw regulations at point 9.2.B above). For FIVB Open events, a maximum of thirty-two (32) teams can be entered in the Qualification Tournament. The Qualification Tournament is played until eight (8) teams qualify to the quarter-final of the single elimination tournament (plus any possible additional teams in accordance with the Lucky loser draw regulations at point 9.2.B above). CATEGORY FIVB World Tour Grand Slam # OF TEAMS IN QT # OF TEAMS QUALIFYING TO MD 24 8 FIVB Open 32 8 A minimum of eight (8) teams qualify to the Main Draw Tournament through the Qualification Tournament. In case one or two Wild Card(s) is (are) not allocated by the FIVB, the next eligible team(s) from the Qualification Team Entry List will enter the Main Draw. Should the number of host country and foreign teams participating in the Qualification Tournament be less than the number of teams required to fill the Main Draw Tournament roster, the FIVB shall notify these teams of their direct entry in the Main Draw Tournament. The universality principles in the Main Draw of the FIVB World Championships and in the Qualification Tournament of FIVB World Tour Grand Slam and FIVB Open will be applied allowing the participation of a team (not having enough points to directly enter into the event) from each of the 5 Confederations. Teams participating in the Qualification tournament of an FIVB event are seeded according to Seeding Points which are the same as the Entry Points at the time of Confirmed NF Entry List. In case of a tie, a drawing of lots must be made during the Technical Meeting. 9 COMPETITION REGULATIONS 205

10 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball 24-Team Qualification Tournament 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball 32-Team Qualification Tournament Loser 41st Loser 33rd Loser 41st Loser 33rd Seed 1 Seed 1 Seed 16 (9) Qualified (1) Winner Match #1 (1) Winner Match #1 Seed 17 Seed 32 Seed 16 (17) Qualified Seed 8 Seed 9 (10) Qualified (2) Winner Match #2 Seed 24 Seed 5 Seed 12 (11) Qualified (3) Winner Match #3 Seed 21 Seed 4 Seed 13 (12) Qualified (2) Winner Match #2 Seed 17 Seed 8 (3) Winner Match #3 Seed 25 (18) Qualified Seed 9 (4) Winner Match #4 Seed 24 Seed 5 (5) Winner Match #5 (4) Winner Match #4 Seed 20 Seed 28 Seed 12 (19) Qualified Seed 3 Seed 14 (13) Qualified (5) Winner Match #5 Seed 19 (6) Winner Match #6 Seed 21 Seed 4 (7) Winner Match #7 Seed 6 Seed 11 (14) Qualified Seed 29 Seed 13 (20) Qualified (6) Winner Match #6 Seed 22 Seed 7 Seed 10 (15) Qualified (7) Winner Match #7 Seed 23 Seed 2 Seed 15 (16) Qualified (8) Winner Match #8 Seed 18 (8) Winner Match #8 Seed 20 Seed 3 (9) Winner Match #9 Seed 30 (21) Qualified Seed 14 (10) Winner Match #10 Seed 19 Seed 6 (11) Winner Match #11 Seed 27 Seed 11 (22) Qualified (12) Winner Match #12 Seed 22 Seed 7 (13) Winner Match #13 Seed 26 Seed 10 (23) Qualified (14) Winner Match #14 Seed 23 Seed 2 (15) Winner Match #15 Seed 31 Seed 15 (24) Qualified (16) Winner Match #16 Seed Note: Seeding is determined on the day of the Technical Meeting in accordance with the FIVB Seeding regulations.

11 C. Main Draw (4 days) 1. FIVB Open The Main Draw Tournament of each gender event is played through a first phase of eight (8) pools of four (4) teams each (Round Robin) and a second phase with twenty-four (24) teams playing in a Single Elimination format (the loser of a semi-final will play the bronze medal match, while the winner of the semi-final will play the gold medal match). From the Round Robin phase the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd ranked teams from each pool will be advancing to the single elimination phase (total: twenty-four (24) teams). The playing format should be fixed, so that the drawing after Pool Play finishes late in the afternoon and no games are played the same day in Single Elimination. If the first round of Single Elimination is played the same day as the drawing after pool play is made, the starting time of the first game in Single Elimination cannot be earlier than 2 hours after the bracket has been drawn and approved by the FIVB Technical Supervisor. The FIVB Technical Supervisor must be responsible to verify that the competition schedule fulfills the FIVB competition regulations at least 1 month before the start of the event (start time semi-finals and finals, above duration of the competition, matches per day, break between matches, daylight, number of courts, etc.). Thirty two (32) NF places/teams in the Main Draw Tournament are set as follows: Minimum two (2) and a maximum of three (3) Host NF places/ teams (excluding Wild Cards) as per the Confirmed NF Entry List. A third Host NF place may be earned only if the third entered Host Country team has sufficient Entry Points upon release of the Confirmed NF Entry List while the fourth Host NF place may be earned in the Main Draw Tournament only if the fourth Host NF team entered qualifies through the Qualification Tournament. Twenty (20)/nineteen (19) foreign NF places/teams in accordance with the Entry Points of the entered teams 21 days before the event and the number of Host NF places/ teams. Foreign NFs may enter a maximum of four (4) teams in the tournament. Two (2) FIVB Wild Cards: one (1) Wild Card granted to the Host NF team and one (1) Wild Card granted at FIVB s discretion. Eight (8) teams having qualified from the Qualification Tournament. Note: Semi-finals for double gender event can be played on the same day of the final games, upon receiving authorization from the FIVB. 2. FIVB World Tour Grand Slam The competition format of an FIVB World Tour Grand Slam always includes both genders. The Main Draw Tournament of each gender is played through a first phase of eight (8) pools of four (4) teams each (Round Robin) and a second phase with twenty-four (24) teams playing in a Single Elimination format (the losers of a semifinal matches will play the bronze medal match, while the winners of the semi-final will play the gold medal match). From the Round Robin phase the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd ranked teams from each pool will be advancing to the single elimination phase (total: twenty-four (24) teams). The playing format should be fixed, so that the drawing after Pool Play finishes late in the afternoon and no games are played the same day in Single Elimination. If the first round of Single Elimination is played the same day as the drawing after pool play is made, the starting time of the first game in Single Elimination cannot be earlier than 2 hours after the bracket has been drawn and approved by the FIVB Technical Supervisor. The FIVB Technical Supervisor must be responsible to verify that the competition schedule fulfills the FIVB competition regulations at least 1 month before the start of the event (start time semi-finals and finals, above duration of the competition, matches per day, break between matches, daylight, number of courts, etc.). Thirty two (32) NF places/teams in the Main Draw Tournament are set as follows: Minimum two (2) and a maximum of three (3) Host NF places/ teams (excluding Wild Cards) as per the Confirmed NF Entry List. A third Host NF place may be earned only if the third entered Host Country team has sufficient Entry Points upon release of the Confirmed NF Entry List while the fourth Host NF place may be earned in the Main Draw Tournament only if the fourth Host NF team entered qualifies through the Qualification Tournament. Twenty (20)/nineteen (19) foreign NF places/teams in accordance with the Entry Points of the entered teams 21 days before the event and the number of Host NF places/ teams. Foreign NFs may enter a maximum of four (4) teams in the tournament. Two (2) FIVB Wild Cards: one (1) Wild Card granted to the Host NF team and one (1) Wild Card granted at FIVB s discretion. Eight (8) teams having qualified from the Qualification Tournament. 9 COMPETITION REGULATIONS 207

12 2013 FIVB World Tour Grand Slam and FIVB Open Structure of pools Women s Teams Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D Pool E Pool F Pool G Pool H Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4 Seed #5 Seed #6 Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13 Seed #12 Seed #11 Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #17 Seed #18 Seed #19 Seed #20 Seed #21 Seed #22 Seed #23 Seed #24 Seed #32 Seed #31 Seed #30 Seed #29 Seed #28 Seed #27 Seed #26 Seed #25 Men s Teams Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D Pool E Pool F Pool G Pool H Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4 Seed #5 Seed #6 Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13 Seed #12 Seed #11 Seed #10 Seed #9 Seed #17 Seed #18 Seed #19 Seed #20 Seed #21 Seed #22 Seed #23 Seed #24 Seed #32 Seed #31 Seed #30 Seed #29 Seed #28 Seed #27 Seed #26 Seed #25 1) The teams seeding in the Pools will be based on the FIVB Seeding Points (The sum of the individual FIVB Points earned from the best 6 of last 8 among all FIVB recognized/sanctioned events over a 365-day period) on the date of the Technical Meeting. 2) The 8 teams that qualify for the main draw in FIVB Grand Slam and Open events will be seeded as per their FIVB Seeding Points (The sum of the individual FIVB Points earned from the best 6 of last 8 among all FIVB recognized/sanctioned events over a 365-day period) on the date of the Technical Meeting. 3) The best Host Country team will be seeded #1 (Pool A); the 2 nd best Host Country teams will be seeded #8 (Pool H) (if does not have a better seeding). 4) Any additional Host Country team(s) must never be placed in the same pool. The 3 rd, 4 th Host Country team has their seed reduced until they are in a different pool then the other Host Country teams. Should reducing the seed not work (or not be possible) then the seed is increased until the Host Country team is in a different pool then the other Host Country Teams. Note : To revise the competition schedule for the four-day open events to ensure that the top teams in the world are playing one of the last matches of the day instead of one of the first. Benefit: To feature the best teams in the world later in the day (if possible) instead of having these tandems complete their competition schedule by 13:00 or 14:

13 2013 FIVB Grand Slam and Open 24-Team Single Elimination Playoffs Loser 17th Loser 9th Loser 5th 1st Pool A Draw 1 (Not A2) (9) Winner Match #9 (1) Winner Match #1 Draw 2 (Not A3) (17) Winner Match #17 1st Pool H Draw 1 (Not H2) (10) Winner Match #10 (2) Winner Match #2 Draw 2 (Not H3) 1st Pool E (21) Winner Match #21 Draw 1 (Not E2) (11) Winner Match #11 (3) Winner Match #3 Draw 2 (Not E3) (18) Winner Match #18 1st Pool D Draw 1 (Not D2) (12) Winner Match #12 (4) Winner Match #4 Draw 2 (Not D3) 1st Pool C (24) Gold Draw 1 (Not C2) (13) Winner Match #13 (5) Winner Match #5 Draw 2 (Not C3) (19) Winner Match #19 1st Pool F Draw 1 (Not F2) (14) Winner Match #14 (6) Winner Match #6 Draw 2 (Not F3) 1st Pool G Draw 1 (Not G2) (15) Winner Match #15 (7) Winner Match #7 Draw 2 (Not G3) (20) Winner Match #20 (22) Winner Match #22 1st Pool B Loser Match #21 Draw 1 (Not B2) (16) Winner Match #16 (23) (8) Winner Match #8 Bronze Loser Match #22 Draw 2 (Not B3) COMPETITION REGULATIONS 9 Day 3 Day 4 Draw 1 = 8 x 2nd place teams from pool play* Draw 2 = 8 x 3rd place teams from pool play* *Teams from the same pool can't meet in the first two rounds 209

14 3. FIVB World Championships The competition format of the FIVB World Championships always includes both genders. The Main Draw Tournament of each gender is played through a first phase of twelve (12) pools of four (4) teams each (Round Robin) and a second phase with thirty-two (32) teams playing in a Single Elimination format (the loser of a semi-final will play the bronze medal match, while the winner of the semi-final will play the gold medal match). From the Round Robin phase the 1 st and 2 nd ranked teams from each pool plus to top 8 3 rd ranked teams (based on Match points, sets ratio and points ratio) will be advancing to the single elimination phase (total: thirty-two (32) teams). The playing format should be fixed, so that the drawing after Pool Play finishes at late afternoon and no games are played the same day in Single Elimination. If the first round of Single Elimination is played the same day as the drawing after pool play is made, the starting time of the first game in Single Elimination cannot be earlier than 2 hours after the bracket has been drawn and approved by the FIVB Technical Supervisor. The FIVB Technical Supervisor must be responsible to verify that the competition schedule fulfills the FIVB competition regulations at least 1 month before the start of the event (start time semi-finals and finals, above duration of the competition, matches per day, break between matches, daylight, number of courts, etc.). Forty-eight (48) NF places/teams in the Main Draw Tournament are set as follows: Minimum two (2) and a maximum of six (6) Host NF places/ teams as per the Confirmed NF Entry List. A third, fourth, fifth and sixth Host NF place(s) may be earned only if the third, fourth, fifth and sixth Host NF entered team has sufficient Entry Points upon release of the Confirmed NF Entry List. Forty-three (43)/Forty (40) foreign NF places/teams in accordance with the FIVB Entry Points of the entered teams 30 days before the event. Foreign NFs may enter a maximum of four (4) teams in the tournament. Three (3) FIVB Wild Cards: one (1) Wild Card granted to a Host Country team and two (2) Wild Cards granted at FIVB s discretion. FIVB Senior World Championships Structure of pools Women s Teams Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D Pool E Pool F Pool G Pool H Pool J Pool K Pool L Pool M Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4 Seed #5 Seed #6 Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12 Seed #24 Seed #23 Seed #22 Seed #21 Seed #20 Seed #19 Seed #18 Seed #17 Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13 Seed #25 Seed #26 Seed #27 Seed #28 Seed #29 Seed #30 Seed #31 Seed #32 Seed #33 Seed #34 Seed #35 Seed #36 Seed #48 Seed #47 Seed #46 Seed #45 Seed #44 Seed #43 Seed #42 Seed #41 Seed #40 Seed #39 Seed #38 Seed #37 Men s Teams Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D Pool E Pool F Pool G Pool H Pool J Pool K Pool L Pool M Seed #1 Seed #2 Seed #3 Seed #4 Seed #5 Seed #6 Seed #7 Seed #8 Seed #9 Seed #10 Seed #11 Seed #12 Seed #24 Seed #23 Seed #22 Seed #21 Seed #20 Seed #19 Seed #18 Seed #17 Seed #16 Seed #15 Seed #14 Seed #13 Seed #25 Seed #26 Seed #27 Seed #28 Seed #29 Seed #30 Seed #31 Seed #32 Seed #33 Seed #34 Seed #35 Seed #36 Seed #48 Seed #47 Seed #46 Seed #45 Seed #44 Seed #43 Seed #42 Seed #41 Seed #40 Seed #39 Seed #38 Seed #37 Note: Should a drawing of lots be implemented within 30 days from the start of this event, the allocation of the teams in each pool will follow the specific event s regulations. 210

15 FIVB Senior World Championships 32 Team Single Elimination bracket and seeding Loser 17 th Loser 9 th Loser 9 th 1 st (A1 or B1) (1) Winner Match #1 Draw 5 Draw 1 (17) Winner Match #17 (2) Winner Match #2 Draw 2 1 st (J1 or K1 or L1 or M1) (3) Winner Match #3 Draw 3 4 th (E1 or F1 or G1 or H1) (4) Winner Match #4 (18) Winner Match #18 (25) Winner Match #25 Draw 4 Ratio = 1 st Ratio = matches won/matches lost (29) Winner Match #29 = 2 nd Ratio = sets won/sets lost 1 st (E1 or F1 or G1 or H1) = 3 rd Ratio = points won/points lost* (*Points earned in a forfeit are not counted) (5) Winner Match #5 A1 or B1 are decided by best ratio (wins, sets, points) Draw 4 - highest ratio = match #1 (19) Winner Match #19 - lowest ratio = match #16 4 th (J1 or K1 or L1 or M1) C1 or D1 are decided by best ratio (6) Winner Match #6 - highest ratio = match #9 - lowest ratio = match #8 Draw 3 (26) Winner Match #26 E1 or F1 or G1 or H1 are decided by best ratio Draw 1 - highest ratio = match #5-2 nd highest ratio = match #12 (7) Winner Match #7-3 rd highest ratio = match #13 - Lowest ratio = match #4 Draw 2 (20) Winner Match #20 Draw 5 J1 or K1 or L1 or M1 are decided by best ratio - highest ratio = match #3 (8) Winner Match #8-2 nd highest ratio = match #14-3 rd highest ratio = match #11 2 nd (C1 or D1) - worst ratio = match #6 1 st (C1 or D1) (32) (9) Winner Match #9 Gold Draw 5 Draw 1 (10) Winner Match #10 Draw 2 Draw 1 = 4 x 2 nd place teams with best 4 ratio (21) Winner Match #21 Draw 2 = 4 x 2 nd place teams with ratio #5 to #8 Draw 3 = 4 x 2 nd place teams with worst 4 ratio Draw 4 = 4 x 3 rd place teams with best 4 ratio 3 rd (J1 or K1 or L1 or M1) (11) Winner Match #11 Draw 3 2 nd (E1 or F1 or G1 or H1) (22) (12) Winner Match #12 Draw 4 3 rd (E1 or F1 or G1 or H1) (13) Winner Match #13 Draw 4 2 nd (J1 or K1 or L1 or M1) (14) Winner Match #14 Draw 3 Draw 1 (15) Winner Match #15 (27) Winner Match #27 Draw 5 = 4 x 3 rd place teams with ratio #5 to #8 Winner Match #22 (23) Winner Match #23 (28) Winner Match #28 (30) Winner Match #30 Any Round of 32 martch (Matches #1 to #16) can t have teams from the same pool e.g. If Match #1 = B1 vs Draw 5 then Draw 5 can t be from pool B Draw 2 (24) Winner Match #24 Loser Match #29 Draw 5 (31) (16) Winner Match #16 Bronze Loser Match #30 2 nd (A1 or B1) 9 COMPETITION REGULATIONS 211