Weekly games

General Information about Weekly Games

During the summer season, weekly games for HBV members are held at Hietsu every Tuesday for women (”Tirsat”) and every Wednesday for men (”Keskarit”). Each week, more than 200 players participate in these games. The weekly games are open to players of all skill levels, and you do not need to have a playing partner before registering for the games. Before you can participate in weekly games or engage in any other club activities, you must pay the membership fee.

Always remember to follow HBV’s 10 Golden Rules at Hietsu! Respect all beach users, keep the beach clean, and participate in setting up the courts before the weekly games and dismantling them after the games. Arrive at the beach early enough to help set up the courts: both the court and you should be ready to play at the designated start time for your group. If your assigned court is already set up, help set up another court. After the games, the court should be dismantled if no games are scheduled on that court for the next round and no players are staying to play on that court. All other games must give way to the weekly games 30 minutes before the games start, without a separate reminder.

Weekly games are primarily community-focused, informal, and fun recreational events. Please maintain a fair and positive atmosphere at the weekly games! These rules and guidelines have been created to reduce potential uncertainties and compile HBV’s traditional weekly games practices in one place. The official HBV rules always apply during weekly games.

• HBV’s 10 Golden Rules: https://hbv.fi/hbvn-10-kultaista-saantoa-hbv-10-golden-rules/
  

Registration and Cancellations

HBV has an application with which you can sign up for the weekly games, as well as cancel your attendance, in case you cannot make it. The sign up for the Tirsat is open from Mondays 12:00 until Tuesdays 12:00. For Keskarit Tuesdays 12:00 until Wednesdays 12:00.

The sign up is binding. You can resign without consequences in the App from Tirsat until Tuesdays 12:00 and from Keskarit until Wednesdays 12:00. If you for example get sick after 12:00, you should cancel by sending an email to viikkokisat at hbv.fi, so we can find a substitute for your group. Cancelation for any reason after 12 o’clock on the game day will result in a 1 week exclusion from participating in the Weekly games. If a player cancels without any notification, i.e. no showing, this will result in a 2 week exclusion from the weekly games. If a player is more than 15 minutes late for the start of their group in the weekly games, this may be considered a no show, and the other players in the group may look for a replacement player to replace the missing player.

In the App you can see your own group and court number, as well as the time of your games. This will be published around 15 o’clock on the game day. A short list of groups will also be published in the HBV Facebook group around the same time. Any need for substitute players will also be announced in the Facebook group.

In the app you are able to mark the score after each set. The score is marked according to the number 1 ranked player in each group. Any player can mark the score after each set, but it is on the responsibility of the number 1 ranked player that it gets done.

If there are any problems with marking the results or you notice any mistake, please send an email to viikkokisat@hbv.fi. Please tell the number of your group, and the names of all the players and their score. The errors are often caused by mistakes in marking the points.

Game System

The weekly games participants are divided into groups of four players. Each player in the group plays one set with every other player in the group. Therefore, you do not need to have a fixed partner when signing up for the weekly games.

Each participant earns ranking points based on their results from each weekly games, which you can check here:
>> Tirsat – Results and Ranking
>> Keskarit – Results and Ranking

Each player plays one set to 21 points with every other player in the group. The set ends at 21 points without the need for a two-point lead. The sets are played in the following ranking-based order:

1. set: R1/R4 vs. R2/R3
2. set: R1/R3 vs. R2/R4
3. set: R1/R2 vs. R3/R4

The ranking points for Tirsat and Keskarit are calculated based on a formula that considers factors such as the group number and points scored. The exact formula can be found here: https://hbv.fi/app/#/weekgames-play

Game Ranking

The ranking at the beginning of the summer season is based on the initial ranking based on the previous season. The initial ranking is determined by the best of the following from the previous year: Best6 / 6 (the sum of the best six results from the previous year divided by six) OR the latest result.

If a player has not participated in weekly games for a full year, their initial ranking is 0.9 times their last result. This adjustment happens automatically—there is no need to request it separately. In the case of tied scores, the player with the earlier membership number is ranked higher.

For the second and third weekly tournaments, only the previous week’s results are used for ranking. That is:

• Week 2 uses Week 1 results.
• Week 3 uses Week 2 results, even if the player has participated in both weeks.

From the fourth weekly games onwards, the average of the last two performances is used for ranking. If a player has played only one game in the first three weeks, their ranking will be based on that single result.

At the end of the season, a player’s Best6 ranking is calculated by summing their six best performances. The season concludes with the legendary King & Queen of Hietsu tournaments. Note: To participate in the King & Queen tournament, a player must have participated in at least one weekly game during the season.

Game Rules

In the weekly games, the players within each group act as referees for their own games. People from outside of the group do not participate in refereeing.

Players also keep track of the scores within their group. A good practice is for the serving side to call out the score before each serve. Any disputes or unclear situations must be resolved by the players themselves. Since there are no referees in the weekly games, all players are expected to follow fair play principles.

If no agreement is reached, the last point is replayed (new ball).

Schedule for the weekly games

Tirsat on Tuesdays
1. Round (groups 1-13): Setting up courts starts at 17:30 and games start at 18:00
2. Round (groups 14-26): games start at 19:30

Keskarit on Wednesdays
1. Round (groups 1-13): Setting up courts starts at  and games start at 17:45
2. Round (groups 14-26): games start at 19.00
3. Round (groups 27 →): games start at 20.15

Players must be ready to play at the designated start time, with the court set up and warm-ups completed. All other games must give way to the weekly games 30 minutes before the games start, without a separate reminder.

Starting the Games

The starting team is determined either by the traditional start ball mini game or by the valve spin method. The winner of the draw chooses either the serve/receive or the court side.

Traditional Start Ball mini game (aloituspallo):

• The ball is always passed over the net using an underarm pass on the first touch.
• The rally starts with an easy throw, and the ball must be passed over the net three times before you can start trying to score.
• If the ball dies before crossing the net three times, the start ball is replayed.

Valve Spin Method:

• The ball is spun in the air.
• The team on the side where the valve points when the ball stops wins.

Upper and Lower Group Rules

In the upper groups (Groups 1–6), the games follow the official FIVB beach volleyball rules. The official rules can be found here:

• Finnish Volleyball Association Rules
  
• FIVB Rules in English
  

In the lower groups (Group 7 and below), the games follow official rules with a few exceptions:

Exceptions in the Lower Groups:

1. Overhead Setting (hand set) Cleanliness: A player must be stationary when setting. Running sets and jump sets are not allowed in the lower divisions.
2. First Contact Rules: The first touch must always be a hard contact (no overhead hand setting is allowed on the first touch) If a serve reception or defense is played overhead with two hands, the hands must be together (no fingertip lifts), e.g. a tomahawk or palm bump. ”Reaction balls” (e.g., defense against hard driven downward spikes) are allowed.
3. Attack Rules: The attack contact must always be hard. Hand setting over the net is never allowed in lower groups, even if intended as a set or if wind pushes the ball over the net. Beach volleyball does not allow tipping with fingertips, unlike indoor volleyball.

Injuries

If a player gets injured during the weekly games, the games will be replayed with a substitute player as long as the schedule allows for it. If the schedule is tight, a substitute player is not available, or if the injury happens after the halfway point of the third set (the halfway point is calculated as when either team has over 10 points), it can be agreed during the games that the situation is frozen, and the points will be calculated according to the current score. Alternatively, the remaining players can be given +0 points as the final result. The substitute player plays in place of the injured player (R1/R2/R3/R4) and does not receive ranking points for this game.

Because the weekly games format only works with all four players of the group participating in the games, leaving the games or forfeiting games for reasons other than injury is not allowed. If this happens, the result is a two-week exclusion from the weekly games.

Wildcard

The Wildcard system is used in both Tirsat and Keskarit. A Wildcard can only be granted to new players who have not previously played in HBV’s weekly games. Wildcard applications can be submitted via email to viikkokisat@hbv.fi.

The idea of the Wildcard is to lower the threshold to enter and make the games meaningful for players of all skill levels. It can be applied for by players with significant experience in beach volleyball or volleyball. Significant experience means, for example, playing in the SM series of beach volleyball, success in the open tour (JNBT), or a volleyball background from the SM league or first division. Other cases (e.g., experience abroad) will be handled individually.

Those who receive a Wildcard will be given starting points, which are determined by the weekly games’ organizers. There may be variation in the starting points given, depending on the number of Wildcard applications.

King & Queen of Hietsu – Weekly Tournament Final

At the end of the weekly tournaments and the summer season, the King/Queen of Hietsu tournament is held. The King & Queen of Hietsu is played on a Saturday after the final Tirsat and Keskarit of the summer, at the end of August or the beginning of September. In the King & Queen tournament, the same rules as the upper groups of the weekly tournaments apply to all games.

The King and Queen registration is open to players of all skill levels. To participate in the King/Queen tournament, the player must have participated in at least one weekly tournament that year. A member can request an exception to this rule due to insurmountable obstacles by emailing viikkokisat@hbv.fi during the current season.

Both the King and Queen tournaments’ main bracket on Saturday will include 32 players divided into eight pools of four players. The top 24 King players and 24 Queen players will directly enter the Saturday main bracket. For the rest of the registered players, qualifying rounds will be held, and the top eight will move on to the main bracket. The size of the qualifying rounds may be limited, if necessary, due to time constraints or other reasons.

In both the qualifying rounds and main bracket games, players will be placed into pools based on either their best6 ranking or last2 ranking, depending on which is better. (See the definitions of terms below.)

In the qualifying and main bracket games, the two players with the most set points from each group will advance to the next round. In the qualifying rounds, 1-3 players may advance if necessary. In case of a tie, the player with the better best6 ranking will be placed higher in the group. Finally, on the fourth round of Saturday, one group of four players will remain, and the winner will be crowned King/Queen of Hietsu.

On the tournament day, a roll call will be held at the beach, and the time will be announced in a notice after the qualifying rounds. If a player who has made it to the main bracket is not present at the roll call time, their spot may be given to a present player who is eligible for the tournament (filled in best6 order, placed in the bracket according to best6 or last2 ranking). If no such players are present, a substitute player may be added to the pool, but they will not advance to the next round.

If a player is injured, the group will be replayed from the beginning with a substitute player. If the injury occurs after the halfway point of the third set, it can be agreed to freeze the situation, and the points will be counted/advancement will be determined according to the current situation. A player injured during a set cannot advance to the next round nor be the King/Queen of Hietsu.

Definitions of Terms

• best6 = The sum of the points from the six best weekly games of the season.
• best6-ka = The average of the points from the six best weekly games of the season, or if fewer than six games have been played, all weekly games points divided by six.
• last2-ka = The average of the points from the two most recent weekly games of the season, or the only weekly games points if the player has only played one weekly game that season.

Role of Weekly Games Coordinators

The weekly games are coordinated by voluntary weekly games coordinators in cooperation with the board and HBV’s club coordinator. The board appoints the weekly games coordinators annually.

The weekly games coordinators also serve as the jury for the weekly games. In case of unclear situations, always contact the weekly games coordinators, who will give advice and, if necessary, make decisions after hearing the players of the group. As a rule, weekly games players act as referees themselves, and any disputes are resolved within the groups. If there is a dispute about points in the group, the points are displayed incorrectly in the weekly games system, inappropriate behavior occurs during the games, or if you wish to file a protest, inform the weekly games coordinators immediately after the games by email at viikkokisat@hbv.fi.

If exceptional situations arise during the season that the above rules do not clearly address, the weekly games coordinators will decide on the appropriate procedure and interpretation of the rules after consulting the parties involved and, if necessary, the club’s board. In rare cases of misconduct, the weekly tournament coordinators have the right to impose reasonable sanctions (e.g., a 1–2 week participation ban from weekly games or point deductions), at their discretion after hearing all parties involved. Any more serious sanctions and cases are handled by the club’s board.

Other: Taivis and Hiezu

HBV members have the right to use the saunas and showers at Taivis every day during the summer season, i.e., at the Taivallahden Tennis Center (Hiekkarannantie 2). After weekly games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we can use Taivis’ cabin sauna and its terrace. Please remember to purchase products from Taivis’ café when visiting. HBV members receive a 20% discount on all Taivis products. Members may use Taivis’ changing and sauna facilities during spring and fall, when the city’s changing rooms and showers are not open, in exchange for a purchase from the cafeteria/bar.

NOTE!! During sprin/summer 2025 the saunas at Taivis are under renovations, and all saunas are currently out of use. The cabinet changing room is used as a women’s changing room during the renovation. At the moment there is no information on how long the renovation takes, and this will be communicated separately. Always follow Taivis’ instructions and ask the staff for more information if necessary!

Taivis Rules for HBV Members:

• Leave Taivis (15 minutes) before closing time without a separate reminder.
• Wear clothes outside the changing rooms. A towel is not considered clothing.
• Own drinks are not allowed in Taivis premises. Drinks must be purchased from there. HBV members receive a 20% discount on all Taivis products. Members may use Taivis’ changing and sauna facilities during spring and fall, when the city’s changing rooms and showers are not open, in exchange for a purchase from the cafeteria/bar.
• Behave like decent people, clean up your own mess and trash.
• Each member is responsible for ensuring that both Hietsu Beach and all the locations where we, as members of the club, are present, are safe spaces for everyone.

You also get a discount at the Hiezu restaurant, but the discount does not apply to alcoholic beverages.