Players

All players should be nominated to the TD ahead of the event.

Teams and pairs make up may be changed up until the technical meeting on Saturday morning but once registered and checked in no teams may change or the pairs within those teams.

In the spirit of the event, the team names pair one should be the perceived stronger team by the coach and team managers.

The only time a team may change or mix its players is for a deciding golden set where any one of the four players may compete for the gold set to 15 points (two clear)

Emergency substitutions ahead of the event can be at the discretion of the organisers to allow the event to be smooth running. This could involve using players from other regions/countries to create combined teams etc.

Competition Format (Teams & Pairs)

Each squad (region/country) will consist of two pairs of each gender (Pair 1 and Pair 2)...

A ‘duel’ between squads includes the results from both

Pair 1 vs Pair 1

Pair 2 vs Pair 2

If the result between the above ‘duel’ is a draw then a ‘Golden Set’ is played. The region/country can select any of the four players to compete in the ‘Golden Set’. The Golden Set is played immediately.

Pool Format

Pools will consist of two groups of four. Pool ranking will be decided by:

1. The team with the highest number of matches won. If a draw:
2. The team with the highest sets ratio, (‘sets for’ divided by ‘sets against).  If a draw:
3. The team with the highest points ratio. (points for’ divided by ‘points against) In the event of a draw, the team who won the pool match between the two drawing teams will be the winner/highest ranked.

Playing Format

All games will be based on the  FIVB format - best of three sets to 21/21/15 points (with two clear points) Pool play could be reduced to 15/15/15 at the TD discretion.

The Golden Set (if played) will be one set to 15 points - with 2 clear points

In the event of bad weather or time considerations, the organisers reserve the right to reduce the duration of matches if deemed necessary. To 15/15/11 or similar.

Injuries and Substitutions

Once play has begun the team is unable to substitute if a player becomes injured.

The tournament directors will allow the team to play a substitute but the games will be considered void and lost but would like to see matches played for the players experience of match play.

So for example, if a squad fields a substitute player any of their games will not count in matches won and lost. However the  remaining eligible pair and three players can go to a golden set if the remaining eligible pair wins their match to make it 1-1. They will be eligible as a squad to continue in the event. The friendly matches will not count.  

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Seeding and Ranking

All pools were seeded and ranked from previous years results.

All teams once pool play has finished will then be seeded 1-4 in their groups.

All teams will then enter into a double-elimination knockout.

• Winner of Pool A - seed 1
• Winner of Pool B - seed 2
• Runner Up Pool A - seed 3
• Runner up of Pool B - seed 4
• 3rd Pool B - seed 5
• 3rd Pool A - seed 6
• 4th Pool B - seed 7
• 4th Pool A - seed 8  

Teams eliminated from the knock-outs will play one more game for final position.

All games will be as FIVB Beach rules and regulations unless the organisers deem it necessary to make any changes.