Play Beach Volleyball
Edited by Seighart, Charmed, Melanie Cuizon, Lynn and 3 others
9 Parts: What You Need Rules Positions Basics Difference between Indoor and Beach Volleyball Defense Tips Video Safety Tips Comments
Beach Volleyball is a great way to enjoy summer weather, get fit, be competitive and learn a new sport all at the same time. You can play with friends or join a team, there's very little equipment or rules involved and the rules are simple to learn. If you ever wanted to get in to this popular sport but didn't know where to start, just read on below to learn all you need to know about playing Beach Volleyball
Contents
What You Need
- 1It's best to go with a Wilson or Spalding ball which meet official weight and dimensions. The price of a quality ball will range from around $30 to $60.A Volleyball.
- 2Anything is OK here from shorts and T-shirts for men to a bikini set for women. There are no rules here so dress comfortably but take in to consideration that you will be moving around during play so excessively baggy clothes aren't really suitable.Appropriate Attire.
- 3You can of course play on the beach but if you're not near one you can still play beach volleyball on a grass surface or similar surface. Just be aware that sand will allow for softer falls than other surfaces. You will also need a net which you can get (with poles) from sporting goods stores. Quality nets start from around $50 and up.A Location With A Net.
- 4You can practice your basic shots and serves with just two people but if you want to practice or play a full game bring three or more additional people along so you can have at least two players per side.Partners for Practice.
Rules
- 1It's also within the rules to have less than three contacts if they're not necessary.There are three contacts allowed per side, which includes a pass, a set and a hit.
- 2you could pass and your partner could hit it over instead of setting you, this is known as 'taking in'. You could also hit it directly over the net on your first contact.For example:
- 3Players can not make contact with the net, whether they are either hitting or blocking the ball.
- 4The ball is only allowed to make contact with the net if it passes over to the other side.It is illegal to hit or serve the ball in the net or outside of the boundary lines.
- 5This is when a player makes contact with the ball more than once in succession. In Beach Volleyball, a block counts as contact so beware of doubling after a block.Double sets are illegal.
- 6The server can not enter the court until they have made contact with the ball, so all serves are made from outside of the boundary.
Positions
- 1There are only two positions in Beach Volleyball, the left sided player and the right sided player.
2
You can switch position anytime you like.
3
If you are the defensive side the player near the net is called the blocker while the player behind is called the defender.
4
If you have more players, you can have two defenders
. Basics
- 1Every game starts with a serve.
- 2In a typical game the receiving team will take the serve, passing it to the setter, who then sets the ball for the hitter to hit back the other team.
- 3The other team will then defend, either blocking or essentially repeating the process.
- 4Blocking is when the person closest to the net puts their hands over the net and tries to block the ball or redirect it to their digger who can then set the ball up to create an offensive hit.
- 5Points are scored when one team fails to keep the ball in play, fails to pass the ball to the other side of the net or hit it outside of the boundary.
Difference between Indoor and Beach Volleyball
- 1The rules of Beach and Indoor Volleyball are vastly similar but most terms and slang for actions are not interchangeable.
- 2Environmental factors like wind and using sand as a surface make Beach Volleyball less controlled than indoor volleyball.
Defense Tips
Learning defensive techniques is critical to mastering Beach volleyball. When playing volleyball defending is just as important as being on the offensive, looking to score a point. Teams without a good defensive foundation won't win so be sure to get familiar with some of the most basic defensive tactics below:
- 1Position is the key factor in how to defend. It's very important to know where the right position is when playing. By practicing your positioning it will become easier for you to anticipate where the volleyball will be more likely to go. Position is the most important thing that you should know to be able to win.Positioning.
- 2Two hands crossed together is the main ingredient in volleyball. For this drill, you want to practice hitting the ball straight up with your weaker hand.Opposite Hand.
- 3Being able to keep your balance at all times. If your balance is off you will not have proper control and dig will be off.Hard Driven. In this type of defense, ball balance is the key.
- 4This is the main way for a team to score a point. Keep your balance and get yourself in a position where you are set to move so that you are able to guard against a good shot. Defend your best good shot and then your team can go for the score. After that shot is counted, stay where you are positioned and stay as low as possible to prepare for the ball to return.The Shot.
- 5This is a great defensive strategy where players can position themselves deceptively to deceive the opponents into expecting a certain type of play.Fake Out.
- 6This is when the defense must transition to offense. It sounds very simple, but it must be done quickly, and it is a key aspect of converting to a win.Transition.
Video
Safety Tips
- When playing outside, always use sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from damaging UV rays. UV rays still damage on overcast days so make sunscreen a routine, no matter the weather.
- Stay hydrated and remember to eat light foods or sports energy snacks, especially if you're playing all day or entering a tournament.
- Remove jewelry like rings, necklaces and chains as they can cause injury to yourself or other players, or even become lost during intense sessions.
- Communicate with your partner to avoid collisions.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
