ABOUT SITTING VOLLEYBALL
Sitting Volleyball is a fast-paced, team-oriented sport that challenges competitors to work together as they send the ball over the net in quick succession. Played from a seated position on a smaller court, this adaptive sport demands agility, communication, and quick reflexes. Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) on Saturday, February 15, 2025, Sitting Volleyball will showcase the competitors’ ability to work as a cohesive unit, relying on sharp instincts and collaboration.
The sport emphasizes inclusivity and teamwork, offering a dynamic and exciting competition that highlights the importance of cooperation and trust between teammates as they strive for victory.
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
Each player is categorised based on their functional profile within each sport. This is assessed by the Invictus Games Foundation and the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025:
- Minimum: three points.
- Moderate: two points.
- Maximum: one point .
Female competitors have a –1 applied to their categorization to encourage more female participation within teams (e.g. a team could field a legal team with all minimum categorised competitors if they have a female on court).
On court at any one time, a maximum of 17 points is allowed.
The current format follows a best of 3 set format: Sets one and two are played to 21 points, the third set is a tie-break set to 15 points (with a 2-point advantage). In the third set, teams switch sides of the court when the first team reaches 8 points. IG25 reserves the right to adjust the competition format at any time.
HOW ARE COMPETITORS CATEGORISED?
The categorisation process aims to ensure the best possible competitor experience at the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games is a unique competition which enables all participants to compete fairly across all sports, no matter their impairment type.
Each sport has a different categorisation system as the different injuries, illness and impairments affect competitors in different ways in each sport. Each competitor is allocated a category (e.g. IT1, IJ4) for each sport that they compete in. The categorisation system relies on integrity and honesty, and a collaborative relationship between all competitors, and all team staff.
HOW MANY COMPETITORS WILL THERE BE?
- Each squad consists of 8-14 competitors
- Six players will be on the court at any one time
HOW MANY TEAMS ARE THERE?
We estimate there will be 20 teams.
HOW MANY COMPETITORS ON THE COURT AT ONE TIME?
Each team has six players on the court at a time with a maximum of 17 categorization points on court at any time (see rules for explanation).
HOW LONG IS THE GAME?
Sitting Volleyball is not a timed competition
- The first two sets are played to a total of 21 points with two-points clear advantage
- The third set is a tie break set if needed to 15 points with a two-point advantage
WHAT’S THE SIZE OF THE COURT?
The field of play measures 6m x 10m.
HOW DID THE SPORT COME TO BE?
- Sitting Volleyball was introduced internationally in 1956 as a rehabilitation sport for World War II Veterans.
- The sport was first recognised as a competition sport in the 1980 Paralympic Games in Arnhem, Netherlands.
- Canada’s Sitting Volleyball program started in 2007 for the Men’s National team and 2008 for the Women’s National team.
IS THIS A NEW SPORT FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES?
Sitting Volleyball featured in the first Invictus Games in 2014 and has appeared in every Invictus Games since!
INTERESTING FACTS
- A team can have a libero player that only plays in the back row positions on court. The libero is a defensive specialist who doesn’t have to serve, block or attack. Whilst it is not essential to have a libero player, these are often deemed one of the most important players on the court and differentiated by a different color jersey!
- Sitting Volleyball uses a smaller court and lower net system compared to standing versions of the game.
CEREMONIES
SPORT
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