As with most things in life, beach volleyball has a set of rules that should be followed. Beach volleyball rules are similar to indoor volleyball rules, but there are a few things that you should know. First you should know that the court where played is eighteen meters in length and nine meters across and divided in half by the net, making each team side a 9×9 square. Now let’s take a look at the rules and several aspects of beach volleyball.

Rules of Net Play

It is fine to go under the net onto the other team’s court to play a ball as long as there isn’t any interference with the opponent. As long as the team has one or more contacts left with the ball and it is played under the net or outside the antenna it may be played back to the team’s side of the net. That is if it crossed under the net or outside the antenna. Beach volleyball is now played as “let” serve.

How do you play the ball?

• The ball must be clearly hit when contact is made. The ball can be hit twice and lifted up momentarily when digging a hard driven spike. It is fine to use an open hand. This is the only time that the ball may be hit twice on the first contact. When the serve was made with an open hand it will never be hard driven. The indoor version of the game will allow for a double hit, but beach volleyball will not.
• When the ball is touched during a block it is one of the three allowed contacts for the team. The ball can be played with every part of the body whether it is college volleyball, women’s beach volleyball or high school volleyball.
• The shoulders of the player must be facing the direction the ball is released when setting the ball in motion to go over the net. If attempting to set up your partner side setting is allowed.
• A new rule in beach volleyball is that the ball has to be let into the air visibly before making contact for the serve. The player may only toss the ball one time each serve.
• The protocol of beach volleyball does not call for a rotation of players and does not allow substitutions, as with indoor volleyball.
• In doubles and triples competitions and in these competitions only can a ball that was set deliberately be touched with two hands over shoulder height. This is also the only time that it may be set directly in relation to the players body as far as direction goes.
• For these types of beach volleyball games you may not use an open hand to tip the ball. While the ball still needs to be hit clearly the fingers must be locked or the fingers curled.

Any type of volleyball can be enjoyable. Research a little and learn the rules. Whether you compete in women’s beach volleyball, high school volleyball or college volleyball you must be aware of the rules if you wish to win. This article outlines the rules for beach volleyball, but it is important to remember that the rules will vary slightly from one to the other.

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