Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Beach Volleyball Tips

Sand volleyball is an increasingly popular sport. It can be called either sand volleyball or beach volleyball but either way it is the same sport. It is played in the sand with 2 people on each team.

When watching beach volleyball you might wonder why the teams switch sides mid game. The games are played to 21 and the switches occur every seven points so that the sun isn't in one teams eyes more than the others.

There are many differences from indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. The hardest thing to get used to is jumping in the sand. An outdoor approach is usually just a 3 step approach where you jump straight up instead of going forward when you jump.

Beach volleyballs do not feel the same as indoor volleyballs. The first time you feel a real beach volleyball you will think it needs more air, but that's how it's supposed to feel. Save yourself the embarrassment of telling everyone that the ball needs more air, because it doesn't.

The rules vary quite a bit between sand volleyball and indoor volleyball. In beach volleyball you can't set the serve like you can in indoor. Also the set has to be very clean and not spin in beach volleyball.

Don't even think about tipping the ball over the net with an open hand when playing beach volleyball. This is not allowed in beach volleyball and who wants to do it anyways?

Another rule change to be aware of is that you can't side set over the net. This means that if you are going to set the ball over the net for some odd reason, you have to do it directly in front of you or directly behind you.

One more rule that you must be aware of is that the block counts as a hit. Once the ball is touched by the blocker in beach volleyball you only have 2 more hits to get it back over.

These tips should help you make a smooth transition from indoor to beach volleyball.

For more on men's beach volleyball and sand volleyball tips, click either link.

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