The Beach Volleyball rules

Beach volleyball is a sport that is played on a beach and usually in summer. To play it, 2 players are needed per team. The game is won in 2 sets of 21 points each. The aim of the game is to send the ball across the net and prevent the opponent from doing the same.

Equipment

  • 1 volleyball,
  • 1 net,
  • Boundaries of the court.

Set up

  • Form two teams of equal numbers.
  • Mark out the court; it is 16 metres long and 8 metres wide.
  • Place the net in the centre of the field.
  • The top of the net should be 2.43 metres from the ground in a men’s game and 2.24 metres in a women’s game.

How to play?

  • Beach volleyball is played by sending the ball over the net or by preventing the opponent from sending the ball over the net.
  • The ball can hit the net by passing it to the other side.
  • The game starts with a serve hit by the server.
  • The rally between the two teams ends when :
  • The ball touches the ground.
  • The ball is kicked out of the court.
  • One of the teams fails to return the ball.

The service

  • A game starts with a serve from the server.
  • If the serving team scores the point, the server does not change.
  • If the serving team scores the point, the next serve goes to them.
  • Rounds of service alternate between the players every 7 points in a clockwise direction.

Passing

  • The ball can be played with any part of the body.
  • The ball must be hit cleanly and accurately. It is not allowed to hold the ball.
  • A player may not kick the ball twice in succession.
  • A team is only allowed to kick the ball three times, including against, before sending it to the other side.

Fouls

  • A foul earns the opponent a point.

Playing faults

  • The ball is sent into the net or under the net.
  • The ball is sent out of the playing area or beyond the opponent’s court.
  • The player hits the ball twice in a row.
  • The team hits the ball more than three times.
  • The ball bounces into your part of the court.

Technical fouls

  • The team forgets the clockwise rotation of the players.
  • During the serve, the player has one foot in his court. The service is always done outside the court.
  • The player, whether attacker or defender, touches the net.
  • The player has one foot in the opponent’s court.
  • The contact with the ball is prolonged, giving the impression that the ball is being held.

Points

  • A team scores 1 point when it wins the rally.
  • The game is played in 2 sets.
  • A set is played to 21 points.
  • To win a set, you must be at least 2 points ahead of your opponent.
  • In case of a 20-20 tie, continue playing until the 2-point gap is reached.
  • In case of a tie, a final set of 15 points with a minimum difference of 2 points is played.