Many coaches are hesitant to support beach volleyball because there is a danger that their players will choose to play on the beach rather than return indoors, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the best way to develop a player.
Beach volleyball is harder than indoor volleyball. This is because of the smallness of the court and the texture of the ground. The sand at the beach makes it difficult to keep one’s own footing. At the same time, the smaller court size there limits the players’ maneuverability.
Indoor volleyball provides an excellent foundation for becoming a strong beach player, but there are many great opportunities available for beach players now, and every year more and more players switch to playing on the beach full-time.
Beach Volleyball Playing Can Improve One’s Skill at Indoor Volleyball
If you play indoor volleyball, play outdoor beach volleyball in the summer as this game will also improve your indoor volleyball. Outdoor volleyball is generally beach volleyball, although it can also be played indoors and on sand courts. Volleyball is usually played indoors on a large court because there are 6 players on each side. Beach volleyball is played on sand, on a smaller court, with only 2 players per side.
The size of the court is different from indoor volleyball because indoor volleyball has 6 players on each side, while beach volleyball has two players on each side. Indoor volleyball courts are larger than beach volleyball courts, which creates more surface for the ball and provides cover for players.
This allows sand volleyball to stay in the air longer than indoor volleyball, giving players more opportunities to hit the ball in time. Sand volleyball offers players more opportunities to dig and dive because the sand is much softer than hardwoods.
Beach Volleyball Impedes One’s Mobility
Moving and jumping on a sand court is much more difficult than playing on an indoor court due to the constant resistance caused by the sand spreading underfoot. Moving and jumping on the sand is much more difficult than indoors, so playing junior beach volleyball can help you develop a stronger jump and make you faster on defense because you are constantly exposed to stamina on the sand.
Beach volleyballs are larger, softer, and lighter than indoor balls, so don’t make the mistake of taking a home ball to the beach as it will be much more difficult to play on the sand. On the beach, players have more freedom of movement and can hit the ball from any position.
The Rules for Beach Volleyball Are Different
On the beach, players may pass under the net as long as they do not interfere with the opponent’s play. There is no line below the net, and players may cross the net as needed, as long as they do not interfere with their opponents’ play.
In doubles on grass or on the beach, there is no center line and the play must be judged whether or not the player is interfering. The only exception to the rule is when another player on the same side accidentally throws the ball over the net.
Common Volleyball Passes and Their Utility at the Beach
When using a hand pass (split-handed, finger-handled ball) as the second of a team’s three hits (usually with the intention of “setting” the ball so the other player can make a more effective one), the standard for a double contact foul is more forgiving than a receiving or offense, although still much stricter than indoor volleyball.
The double touch on the beach is much more strict than indoors, so you will see far fewer instances of a player touching the initial double contact with the ball after serving from the sand. Another technical difference is that when a blocking touch occurs, it counts as the first contact of the game, so your team only has two extra attempts to hit the ball into the net instead of three attempts in indoor volleyball.
Along with this technical side of beach volleyball, double-tap is also much more rigorous than indoor volleyball, so there will be many more “shot sets” to prevent a player from double-tapping, and fewer instances of players throwing the ball in. with their initial post-service contact.
How Volleyball Is Played at the Beach
Beach players must place the ball with minimal spin or a foul will be called. You can place the same as in the closed version, but the judges call the rules very strict, and if you accidentally hit over the net (your striker does not make contact), you automatically get a point.
Like indoor volleyball, the object of the game is to kick the volleyball over the net and land it on the ground without a member of the other team being able to return it to your team’s side of the net. Volleyball is a non-contact team sport in which two teams have three throws to pass the ball over a dividing net.
Over the past century, volleyball has evolved in many ways. In addition to volleyball, there are versions of snow volleyball, water volleyball, shotgun volley and other versions.
Some Best Practices for Playing Beach Volleyball
To make sure you follow the rules and avoid injury, here are some of the differences between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball, as well as the different risks associated with each sport.
While many people know the basics and have joined a fast-paced volleyball match at some point in their lives, new AVP fans may not know that the differences between beach and indoor volleyball go beyond bikinis and swim shorts.
Beach traffic is less restricted; players can hit the ball from anywhere. With 4 fewer players on each side, beach volleyball allows these players to engage in the insane diving competition that is the hallmark of the AVP suit. In beach volleyball, blocks can be used to score directly by directing the attacking opponent’s attack onto one’s own court, or used to direct the ball towards the defender, “take away” part of the court, or be used to slow the ball down. Speed, giving defenders time to chase the ball.