Although it's often reported that Beach Volleyball was born in Southern California, the first recorded games of this sport were actually recorded at Waikiki Beach at the Outriggers Canoe Club in Hawaii. Legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku was perhaps the most famous player of this sport, now an official Olympic team sport.
If you enjoy both competition and being seaside, then Beach Volleyball is for you. The rules for Beach Volleyball, also called Sand Volleyball, are similar to Indoor Volleyball. The main international governing body for Beach Volleyball is the Federacion Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and in the US, it's USA Volleyball. Here's how to get started:
Two teams, each consisting of two players, are separated by a high net erected on the beach. Each team tries to score points against the opposing team by grounding a ball over the net and onto the other team's court. There are two major differences between Beach Volleyball and regular Volleyball - Beach Volleyball is played on sand rather than a hard court and Beach Volleyball consists of teams of only two players each rather than six. A regulation Beach volleyball is softer and slighter bigger than an Indoor volleyball, with lower internal pressure.
Beach Volleyball players play the game barefoot on a court that measures 26.25 feet by 52.5 feet (versus 29.52 by 59.05 for Indoor Volleyball). The match consists of 3 games per set and a set is won by the first team to score 21 points. If a team wins two sets, they win the match. If a third tiebreaker set is required, the first team to score 15 points wins the match. In Beach Volleyball, players are allowed to cross under the net as long as this action doesn't interfere with the opposing team's attempt to play the ball.
Players are not required to rotate positions and there are no rotation errors and no 10-foot line hitting restrictions. Players can serve only once per turn and within the court lines or the ball is forfeited. The ball can be hit only a maximum of three times before it must go over the net to the opponent. Typically, the ball is bumped to a setter, who sets the ball for the spiker, who then spikes the ball over the net without grabbing the ball or allowing it to rest in the hands for any length of time.
To signal teammates, Beach Volleyball players use a system of hand signals known as block signals behind their backs: closed fist (no block), one finger (block an opponent's line attack); two fingers (block an opponent's angle attack); or open hand (block based on the opposing team's set).
Check with your local department of recreation to find beaches with permanent Beach Volleyball Courts set up for play, as they are in Santa Monica, California.
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