How to organise a mixed amateur tournament at the end of summer

If you want to organise an amateur volleyball tournament at the end of summer, this is the perfect time to transition from sand battles to preparations for the indoor season. With the publication of the new Guida Pratica FIPAV 2026-2027 and registrations open for the Campionato Open Misto, enthusiasm among fans is sky-high. However, organising an event that works requires some practical foresight, to prevent a day of celebration from turning into a series of endless arguments under the net. Those who take to the court want first and foremost to play, have fun and find a smooth organisation that respects playing times.

Choosing the format and managing registrations without stress

For an amateur end-of-summer tournament, the mixed game format is by far the most inclusive and popular. You can take inspiration from the official regulations of the Open Misto FIPAV 2026/2027 circuit, which requires the simultaneous presence on court of three men and three women. This setup guarantees balance and allows everyone to actively participate in the play.

Managing registrations must be streamlined and timely. Set a clear deadline for submitting player lists, taking an example from the UISP committees which traditionally start memberships and close registrations by mid-September. This way, you will have plenty of time to draw up schedules and define the groups without having to make last-minute changes. Remember that in amateur tournaments, self-refereeing or cross-refereeing (resting teams refereeing the next match) are the most practical solutions, provided that basic rules are established and shared beforehand to avoid disputes on court.

Court rules and details not to forget

When setting up the playing space for a 6-a-side tournament, it is essential to respect the official measurements to ensure the regularity of the matches. The volleyball court must measure exactly 18 metres in length by 9 metres in width, divided in half by the centre line.

As for the net, while in men's volleyball the height is 2.43 metres and in women's it is 2.24 metres, in mixed championships or mixed amateur tournaments the net height must be checked in the event regulations, as it can vary depending on the category or the organising federation.

Regarding scores, the classic indoor volleyball format features sets to 25 points, with the requirement to win by at least a two-point margin to take the set. In the event of a tie at one set each, a tie-break is played to 15 points, again with a two-point margin. If you have many registered teams and limited time, you can opt for reduced formats, such as single sets to 21 or 25 points, but always maintain the two-point margin principle so as not to spoil the beauty of the end of the match.

What organisers and players usually get wrong at amateur level

The most common mistake made by those organising an amateur tournament is the poor management of warm-up times and breaks between matches. Without a strict stopwatch managed by the tournament director's table, delays accumulate quickly from the very first morning matches, forcing organisers to cut the duration of the finals in the afternoon.

From a technical and tactical point of view, however, the typical mistake of players on a mixed court is the management of space in reception and defence. Often, more experienced or physically more reactive players tend to "invade" the zone of responsibility of their teammates, creating dangerous collisions or leaving entire portions of the court uncovered. Another frequent mistake is not respecting rotation positions at the moment of service, a regulatory detail that even in amateur tournaments can cause arguments if it is not clarified and checked before the opening whistle.

Practical guide to setting up the perfect tournament

Here is an essential checklist for preparing the playing facility and managing matches flawlessly:

• Court marking: Check that the lines of the 18x9 metre playing court are clearly visible and made of non-slip materials to prevent injuries.
• Equipment check: Check the net tension and the presence of the side antennae. As for the ideal ball pressure and the official model to be used, the value must be checked in the event regulations.
• Warm-up phase: Allow a maximum of 10 minutes of official warm-up at the net for each team before the opening whistle, to avoid delays in the tournament schedule.
• Handling of contact faults: Establish in advance the referees' strictness on double contacts and catches. In amateur tournaments, there is a tendency to be more tolerant to encourage the flow of play, but the rule must be applied with the same standard of judgment for all teams.
• Mandatory rotation: Ensure that each team presents a line-up with the correct male-female alternation on court to guarantee the balance of the mixed game.

Organising a tournament among friends requires coordination and constant communication. To manage entries, create teams and keep everyone updated on match times, a group of enthusiasts can rely on dedicated digital tools like the VolleyFriends app, simplifying logistics and leaving room only for fun on the playing court.