Continuing this Winter 2019 season, the ESSC is again going to be conducting Indoor Volleyball division realignment. In this realignment, blocks of teams will be moved from the division in which they initially register for if they meet specific criteria set by the Club to help even out the divisions and ensure a better playing experience. 

The ESSC has always gathered previous records/statistics on all registered teams and moved teams up or down divisions when necessary, this season though we are introducing a more extensive approach. The main reason for this initiative is that Indoor Volleyball is one of our largest sports, with over 1000 teams registering each year, we are starting to see more of a skill disparity within current divisions.

A great misconception within the Club is that divisions are based on a team’s attitude or competitiveness when in reality they are based on a team’s average skill level. We expect all of our divisions to abide by the same fun-first sportsmanship guidelines and we hold teams in all divisions to the same standard.

To help with this initiative, we have opened up a more extensive range of divisional options on most days of the week, including multiple Competitive level divisions. The ESSC is committed to spreading the registered teams into the appropriate divisions in 2018, using the following set of criteria:

Teams who meet one or more of the following criteria are candidates to be moved to a higher division by the ESSC:

Division Champion/Runner-up within the past 3 seasons

.750 winning percentage (regular season) or better in the most recent Spring/Winter season

.600 winning percentage (regular season) or better with a strong point differential in the most recent Spring/Winter season

3+ seasons in the ESSC with a .500 or higher winning percentage

By realigning teams into more appropriate divisions, we expect that all teams across the Club will experience a more enjoyable season with close games and more skill-parity within divisions. 

To assist teams in choosing the most appropriate division at the time of registration, please review our current division descriptions and watch the gameplay videos. Please click any of the Divisions below to read and watch the division.

 

Recreational

This division will feature players that lack experience and/or are learning the basic skills of volleyball. This is the ideal league for beginner volleyball players. Players registering for this league should abide by the "fun-first" mentality. The following points describe the level of play that should be expected:

  • Focus is often on just getting the ball over the net rather than executing 3 hits.
  • Players generally do not have specific player positions (i.e. power, setter, middle, etc.).
  • Underhand serving is more common than overhand serving.
  • Hard hitting is NOT allowed in this league.


 

Recreational Plus

This division will feature players that are slightly more skilled than the Recreational Division, but some teams will still have players that lack experience and/or are learning the skills of volleyball. This is the ideal league for teams with a mix of semi-experienced and beginner volleyball players, or for teams that have had success in the Recreational Division in the past. Teams in this league should abide by the "fun-first" mentality. 

The following points describe the level of play that should be expected:

  • Some players might focus on just getting the ball over the net, but most teams execute 3 hits
  • Players generally do not have specific player positions (i.e. power, setter, middle, etc.)
  • Underhand serving is equally as common as overhand serving
  • Hard spiking is NOT allowed in this division


 

Intermediate

This division is for teams that are looking for more of a challenge than the Recreational level. Most players on the team typically have some experience playing volleyball, although a few players on the team may be new, or may be above average in skill. The following points describe the level of play that should be expected:

  • Hard hitting is allowed, however, it must be done in a controlled manner. Players can anticipate that approximately 1 out of every 3 rallies will contain a hard hit. Players that hit hard should do so with respect and direct the ball at players on the opposing team that are capable/comfortable with receiving the hit.
  • Typically there are 3 contacts made prior to returning the ball over the net to the opponent.
  • Passes are not always crisp and accurate.
  • Some blocking will occur.
  • Players may have specific positions, however; for the most part teams do not have organized attacks.

Intermediate Plus

This division is for teams that are looking for more of a challenge than the Intermediate level. All players have experience playing volleyball and are solid in the fundamentals. Intermediate Plus teams are looking for a good challenge and want to have closely matched games each night. The following points describe the level of play that should be expected:

  • Hard hitting can be expected consistently throughout the game from at least 2–3 players on each team.
  • Back row attacks occur from time to time but is not a common occurrence.
  • Some jump serving should be expected and the vast majority of players will serve over hand.
  • Most games will feature crisp passes and organized attacks.
  • Blocking is more prevalent in this division than in the Intermediate division; however, it is not always a solid double block.
  • Teams have the option of incorporating a Libero.

Competitive

This division is for teams that are looking for more challenge than the Intermediate Plus level. Teams in the Competitive division consistently play at a high level and would like to face strong competition each week.This is the Club's highest level and would be a good fit for people who have played competitively in high school and/or club, people who have played consistently as an adult, or ex-Varsity athletes. The following points describe the level of play that should be expected:

  • At this level players are typically specialized in one position (i.e. setter, middle, power, libero etc.) and are effective at their position.
  • The majority of players on each team are capable of executing hard hits and females are comfortable with defending hard hitting.
  • Games will include crisp passes, solid blocks, good digs, and organized attacks.