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Beach Volleyball

✨ The Spectacle of sand and sun

Beach volleyball is a team sport played by two teams of two players on a sand court divided by a net. Unlike indoor volleyball, there are only two players on each side and no substitutions during a set. The court measures 16 metres long and 8 metres wide. A rally begins with a serve, and the teams try to send the ball over the net so that it lands in the opponent’s court or cannot be returned.

Each team may make up to three contacts before sending the ball back, using actions such as the forearm pass, set, attack and block. The ball may be played with any part of the body, but it must be hit rather than caught or thrown. A point is awarded after every rally, regardless of which team served. A match is won by the team that takes two sets.

The first two sets are played to 21 points, with a two-point lead required. If the teams win one set each, a deciding third set is played to 15 points, again with a two-point advantage. Players regularly switch sides because wind, sunlight and the condition of the sand can affect play. Moving on sand also requires more effort than moving on a firm surface, since the feet sink and push-off is less efficient.

Beach volleyball therefore combines repeated jumps, short sprints, quick changes of direction and precise ball control. Players need coordination, balance, agility and muscular endurance, while communication is especially important because each teammate covers a large part of the court. Regular practice can improve physical fitness as well as reaction speed, spatial awareness and teamwork.

💡 Did you know?

Do you know why beach volleyball players make signs with their fingers behind their backs? They are communicating in secret with their partner! For example, two fingers up might mean blocking a straight shot. Since the opponent is right in front, it's the only way to keep the strategy hidden.

Playing on sand is much more tiring than on a hard floor. Since our feet sink, we can't run or jump as easily. It takes twice as much energy to move! That's why there are only two players in beach volleyball: they must be extremely enduring and fast.

Did you know that teams switch sides very often? Every 7 points, the players swap ends. This is so that wind and sun conditions are the same for everyone. If the sun is beaming right into your eyes on one side, you'll soon switch places!