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fAll about beach volleyball

All about beach volleyball

Reading time: 20 minutes
16.08.2021
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Beach volleyball is a dynamic and beautiful sport. It is very similar to the classic game but has its own characteristics.

What is the difference between beach volleyball and classic volleyball?

Number of players

Initially, in beach volleyball as in the classic one the team consisted of six people, over time the number of people decreased to two.

The position of the players on the field

In a classic game each player occupies a specific position and is assigned a role. In the beach - there are no specific positions, the player is responsible for the left or right side of the field. In beach volleyball each player simultaneously combines the functions of an attacker, defender, passer and server.

Playing field

The beach volleyball court is one metre narrower and two metres shorter.

Ball

The beach ball has a bright colouring, has water-repellent properties, is lighter and more than a classic volleyball.

Number of parties

Three games are played in beach volleyball, five in classic volleyball.

Changing fields

When playing on sand opponents change fields more often. The location is changed every seven points, in the last game - every five points.

No temperature restrictions

Classic volleyball is played at temperatures up to 25°C, beach volleyball is played in any weather.

How to play

The goal of the game is to score as many points as possible. To win in beach volleyball, it is enough to score 21 points in two games in a row. If at the end of two games there is a draw, they play the third - up to 15 points. The gap between the teams must be 2 points or more.

A point counts:

for each ball that fell on the opponent's field;
for the opponent's mistake.

Basic Rules

Innings

— Serving time - 5 seconds.

— Performed with one hand.

— It is allowed to serve from above and below, in a jump, gliding and twisting.

— The player who scored the point serves the ball, he is behind the field line, all other players must be on the field. If the ball is served in a jump, the player is allowed to «land» on the field.

— After the transfer of the right to serve to another team, the serving player is changed. Serving the ball by the wrong player counts as a fault with the award of a point and the right to serve to the opposing team.

The ball is passed in two ways: a pass from above and a pass from below.
Before the transfer to the opponent's side, three hits on the ball are allowed, including the block. Any touch on the ball counts as a hit.
Two touches in a row by one player is considered a mistake (block exception).
The ball cannot be caught or thrown.
The ball can be hit with any part of the body.
Touching the ball at the same time by two players counts as two hits.
It is not considered a fault to touch the ball with several parts of the body at once.
You cannot pass the ball to opponents so that the player's hands are behind the net on the opponent's side.
Players cannot touch the net; the ball is allowed to hit the net.
If the ball after hitting hit the field line, the right to serve passes to the other team.

Some tricks for a successful volleyball game

Pick the right moment to hit the ball. Best time to do it, during a gust of wind or at the moment when the sun shines in the eyes of rivals.
Try to make the ball rotate when serving. A «twisted» ball is less blown by the wind.
Take into account the physiological characteristics and abilities of opponents. It is better to serve the ball to a weaker player; for a tall player, the serve should be low.
Follow the ball with your eyes and constantly move behind it.

Properly move on the sand. This is easy to learn while relaxing on the beach. Just try to move the sand as little as possible when walking.
Agree before the start of the game to give conventional signs to coordinate actions on the court. Professional athletes use finger combinations behind their backs for this purpose.
Tell each other where it is better to hit or where the opponent’s ball can fall. Hints should be short and helpful. For example, «into the corner», «along the line».

What do you need to play?

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