skip navigation

GRASSROOTS

Grass Roots is a developmental level of training for ages 5 through 12.   Many of our region clubs have started either a Volleytots or Grassroots program. The Grassroots competition season starts typically in January and cumulates with the Grassroots Championship the night before GCR Regional Championships in April. 

2023 Grassroots schedule now posted, please see below.
Updated Rules of play, see below. 

 

Updated  1.12.23


Region Contact

Jennie Belarmino 
Gulf Coast Region Registrar
Sports Engine Club Liaison
Email





2023 GCR Grassroots Schedule

Below is the current Gulf Coast Region Grassroots schedule. Most tournaments are held in conjunction with other GCR Region Tournaments. 

  • Enter teams either via AES or contact Host
  • Entry fee $50 per team

2023 Tournament Schedule

Date Tournament Location Time Host Contact
15-Jan Riviera Classic Elberta HS 1:00 PM GCR gcrcommish@gmail.com
20-Jan LAV Invite OWA 5:00 PM LAV info@loweralabamavolleyball.com
21-Jan GCR Grassroot Series Foley HS 10 AM & 1:30PM PIVC admin@pivc.org
27-Jan GCR Grassroot Series Bayside Academy 5:30 PM ESVC/GCR patsy@iamburke.com
5-Feb Storm Invite OWA 2:00 PM Storm/GCR gcrcommish@gmail.com
12-Feb GCR Grassroot Series Elberta HS 1:00 PM GCR gcrcommish@gmail.com
19-Feb Gulf Coast Classic Foley, AL 2:00 PM PIVC/Dolphin VBC admin@pivc.org
25-Feb GCR Grassroot Series Fairhope, AL 8:00 AM BCVC bcvc411@gmail.com
3-Mar March Madness OWA 5:30 PM ESVC/GCR patsy@iamburke.com
11-Mar Biloxi Open Biloxi, MS 2:00 PM PIVC/Mobile Storm admin@pivc.org
19-Mar GCR Grassroot Series Fairhope, AL 8:00 AM BCVC bcvc411@gmail.com
24-Mar Spring Fling OWA 5:00 PM LAV info@loweralabamavolleyball.com
2-Apr GCR Grassroot Series Elberta HS 1:00 PM GCR gcrcommish@gmail.com
14-Apr Battle of the Bay OWA 5:30 PM ESVC patsy@iamburke.com
28-Apr Grassroots Championships Mobile Convention 5:40 PM GCR gcrcommish@gmail.com

Rules of Play

To host a Grassroot Event you must have two courts - one net that will play at 7 feet for the 10-11-12’s and one net that will play at 6 foot 6 inches for the 8-9’s. 
 

GCR Grassroot Tournament Rules of Play


In all levels of Grassroots play the most important rule of play is “HAVE FUN!!”.
Second is to provide equal playing opportunity to each participant.

 

Gulf Coast Region Grassroot basic rules of play

  1. Matches are played with two sets first to 25pts beginning at 4pts and second to 15 with no side switch at 8 pts. While it is important that players learn to court transition technique of side switches between matches until we get by the COIVD era of today there will be NO side switches during play.
     
  2. A server may come up to net as close as required to serve in order to be successful but no closer than the spike line (3 meters). We want the rally to be determined by playing the ball and not by a serve error by too great a distance from net by these young servers. Each time a server is successful they
    MUST take a BIG step back prior to next serve attempt. It is the job of the coach and the official to instruct the player to do so, in the spirit of this rule. A player that is capable of serving over the net from the endline should certainly be positioned there on initial serve.

     
  3. There is not positional substitution but rather a coach determines the location their team players enters and exists the court so all players get equal playing time. Must keep the same serving order for all players (like a batting order)
     
  4. Grassroot Officials will be very liberal with ball handling as to allow the rally to continue.
     
  5. Grassroot Officials will not call minor net violation or center line violations unless there is interference/safety concern or the players contacts the net and the net has a obvious bow in it.
     
  6. Grassroot Officials will call from the R2 position so greater interaction can occur with the work duty team and teams that are playing.
     
  7. All Grassroot teams assigned work duty will keep a scoresheet (header, line up, running score) teach your grassroot players to get this far on the scoresheet…..if they can keep exist scores and a complete sheet that is great, provide flippers, and 2 linespersons……alternate job so all players can experience
    each admin job of the work duty team…..the linesperson will call with flags if available but will use hand signals in making the proper calls if flags are not available.


2022 Volley Jolley Grassroots

On Dec 16th, the Gulf Coast Region was proud to host the opening Grassroots event in conjunction with the GCR's annual Volley Jolley Christmas Tournament. Congrats to all the Winners. 

Gulf Coast Region Volleyball Association Sponsors

These fine organizations make what we do possible. Please show your support to these amazing sponsors and thank them for their commitment to our organization. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities

Sponsored by Andrews Institute

Andrews Institute

Visit Website
Sponsored by GS & OB Sports Commission

GS & OB Sports Commission

Visit Website

BracketPal