When volleyball heads to the beach, it doesn’t just change location. Players still try to hit the ball over the net, and bumps, sets, blocks and spikes carry the day on both courts. But there are quite a few differences in beach vs. indoor volleyball.
Here’s a quick summary. Pu Soccer Ball
Indoor volleyball teams use six players on the court, and each plays a specific position. Teams also include substitutes on the bench.
Beach volleyball teams only include two players, often referred to as “pairs” or “doubles.” They don’t have to be in a specific spot when serving or receiving and aren’t allowed to substitute.
Two players cover less ground than six players, so beach volleyball courts are smaller. Beach courts measure 16m by 8m (about 52 ½ by 26 ¼ feet), two meters narrower and one meter shorter than indoor courts (18m by 9m, or about 59 feet by 29 ½ feet).
Indoor volleyball courts include the 3-meter line (normally called the 10-foot line in the USA). Back-row players must make over-the-net contact only by jumping from behind that line and the libero cannot hand set in front of it.
Beach volleyball courts have just the outside boundaries. Beach players scramble around one big rectangle and can hit from anywhere.
Beach volleyball teams play fewer sets. Beach volleyball teams need to win two sets and the first two sets end when the winning team scores 21 points (not 25 like in an indoor set).
If beach volleyball teams split the first two sets, they play the third and final set to 15 points (like indoor). Beach teams also need to win by two or more points in each set.
In indoor club tournaments, the matches are best of three. In (most) high school and college, they’re best of five.
Weather matters in beach volleyball. Conditions can change drastically from one set to another, or even from one rally to the next.
As a result, beach volleyball teams switch sides after every seven points, no matter the score.
Indoor volleyball teams only switch sides after each set, or after winning eight points in a fifth set (if needed).
Beach volleyballers can’t use open-handed fingertips to tap or dink the ball over the net—palms, knuckles, heels of hands or rigid, locked fingers only.
Both beach and indoor volleyball players can touch the ball a maximum of three times before returning it over the net. A touch at the net that simply deflects the ball but doesn’t stop play is not considered a touch.
In indoors, first-ball multiple touch is legal. Multiple contacts are not allowed on the beach.
Like most athletes, indoor volleyball players wear shoes. They also must wear volleyball shorts or spandex, and a top.
As you might expect, beach volleyball players usually play barefoot, although some may wear sand socks. They also wear shorts and tank tops, or sports bikinis. Beach volleyball players avoid loose-fitting clothes. No one likes to get sand in their shorts, especially athletes.
Indoor volleyball coaches get very involved with their teams. Coaches usually attend the entire match, and they can shout instructions and call timeouts at any time.
Beach volleyball coaches face many more restrictions.
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