Beach Volleyball Rules

Beach volleyball rules for the 2017 - 2020 seasons.

Beach volleyball is different than indoor volleyball in that on the beach, a team consists of only two players. The sand court is divided the two teams by a net.

Each team can hit the ball 3 times before returning the ball over the net (the block counts as one of the teams contacts).

Rally scoring system is used. This means the team winning a rally scores a point. When the team receiving the serve wins the rally, the team gains a point and the right to serve next. The team also alternates servers with each time the team wins the rally upon receive.

Understanding Beach Volleyball Rules

There are a lot of people involved in volleyball... Coaches, players, parent, fans, etc. With all that are involved, it's important for everyone to understand the rules. Knowing the rules helps everyone have more success at playing beach volleyball.

Coaches that understanding the game better can create better team structure and playing tactics which allow players the opportunity to fully display their skills.

For the volleyball officials, understanding the relationship between rules allows referee to make better decisions.

The Court

Court Lines

Court lines are 5 cm wide with color contrasting sharply with the color of the sand. Two side lines and two end lines mark the boundary of the playing court. There is no center line. Both side and end lines are placed inside the dimensions of the playing court.

Zones and Areas

Zones consist of the service zone and the free zone surrounding the playing court.

The service zone is an 8 m wide area behind the end line, which extends to the edge of the free zone.

Net Height

The net height is 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women.

Also, different heights for different ages.

16 years and under 2.24 m 2.24 m

14 years and under 2.12 m 2.12 m

12 years and under 2.00 m 2.00 m

To Score a Point

A team scores a point by...

1) successfully landing the ball on the opponent’s court;

2) when the opponent team commits a fault;

3) when the opponent team receives a penalty.

A team commits a fault by...

Making a play on the ball in such a way that's contrary to the rules. The referee will judge the faults and determine the consequences according to the rules.

What is a rally?

A rally is the sequence of playing actions from the moment of the service hit by the server until the ball is out of play.

Scoring Points

If the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and continues to serve.

If the receiving team wins a rally, it scores a point and it must serve next.

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How to Win

To Win a Set

The first team to score 21 points and has at least a two point lead wins the set.

To Win a Match

For best of 3, the team to win 2 sets wins the match.