Sand Volleyball

• There are only 2 people per team and no substitutions.
• Sets are played to 21, and a match is best of 3. If a third set is needed, play to 15.
• Teams switch sides every 7 points in games to 21 and every 5 points in games to 15 to try and make it fair for both teams when dealing with the wind, the sun, and other components of outdoor play.
• A ball cannot be taken with open hands (set) unless it is hard driven and downward, so sand players often practice multiple ways to take a ball overhead without setting with their fingertips.
• Open hand tips are not allowed, usually tip with the knuckles (a "dink" or "pokey").
• Many sand players choose to bump-set (forearm passing) and not use their hands. Officials are very strict about setting forms, plus, if a player using his or her hands to set the ball and the wind takes it over the net, it will result in a point for the opponents. Even if it is unintentional, it still counts as an open hand tip.
• The block counts as one of the three hits, but the blocker can contact the ball a second consecutive time after the block, giving the other player just one hit to play the ball over the net.
• Any contact with any part of the net is a violation.
• Active coaching is limited to timeouts and in between sets.
• No official is provided for junior sand tournaments. Players must call the violations for both themselves and their opponents.
• The playing space is smaller. The size of the entire beach volleyball court (both sides combined) is 52 feet 6 inches x 26 feet 3 inches (indoor courts are 60x30)
• A different volleyball is used. Outdoor and beach volleyballs are made for the tough conditions that can be associated with the outdoors.

We will meet at the designated sand courts for training sessions. You will work primarily with your coach and your doubles partner on the majority of skills and drills.

If you have someone in your same age group who would like to be your teammate, you are welcome to bring them to our program. You will each register individually but will be teamed up throughout the season. If you don’t have a partner, no worries, we can get one for you!

Tournaments are offered almost every Friday and Saturday throughout the season with the exception of some 2 day weekend tournaments. Three to five (3-5) tournaments are included in your fees but you can sign up for as many tournaments as you like and pay as you go.

Age groups are divided into 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U. If your athlete played 12U for the indoor season, she will play 12U for Beach. A 13U would need to play up in the 14U age group.

Yes. This can be arranged through the program director.

Summer is a busy time and we understand that you may miss practices at times. We recommend that communicate with your sand partner if you will not be attending a practice or a tournament. Please note that there are no refunds for any missed practices or tournaments.

We will train rain or shine. Most competitions will happen rain or shine as well. Training may be cancelled or discontinued if the weather becomes severe and/or the forecast is for threatening weather to continue.

Switching partners is very common in sand volleyball. While it is best to stick to the same partner throughout the season, sometimes it’s necessary to change. If your partner is ill or otherwise unable to play, we suggest you try to find another player within the program to fill in so that you can still compete.

The advantage of playing beach volleyball is that a player must be able to perform every skill. To be successful at beach volleyball a player must be able to pass, set, hit, serve, and play defense. It forces the players to develop their weaker skills. It also requires players to cover more of the court on serve receive and on defense and this teaches players to read the hitter and control the ball.

Moving in the sand and jumping in the sand is much more difficult than in indoor, so playing beach volleyball helps you develop a stronger jump and makes you quicker on defense because you’re under constant resistance in the sand.

See the links below to learn more about how sand volleyball can help you improve your indoor game!