Playing Beach / Sand Volleyball

Game set up Beach or sand volleyball is played on a court that is designed to the same size specifications of a standard volleyball court, with the exception being that the surface is sand and not solid wood. Most other specifications of game set up are the same as standard indoor volleyball. The sport is typically played with only two players on each team, but sand volleyball leagues are generally played with six players on sand with standard size courts. Beach volleyball courts are slightly smaller than indoor courts. In 1996, two-person beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport.

Basic game play
The game of beach volleyball is played with two opposing teams of two players each. Turns are taken to serve the ball over the volleyball net to the opposing team with each team trying to keep the ball from hitting the court floor on their side. Each team has only three contacts with the ball to get it over the net before it is called out and a point is scored. Contacts with the ball typically include an initial bump or pass, a set, and a spike. In standard sand volleyball, the rules and game play are the same as indoor volleyball with the exception of additional players.

Scoring
Scoring in the game of sand or beach volleyball is achieved when the ball hits the court floor or if an error or fault is made. The team that did not make the fault is awarded the point whether they served the ball or not. The team that scores the point continues to serve the volleyball until a point is awarded to the receiving team. The winner is the team to reach 25 points. A win must also be at least two points ahead of the opposing team.