Pass. Set. Hit. What sport does this make you think of? Most people think of volleyball. But did you know that there are multiple ways to play volleyball? Beach volleyball is very similar to indoor, but many differences make both of them unique.
For starters, indoor volleyball is played on a hard floor court with six players. Each player has their own specialized position, and they can substitute in and out with players on the bench. Meanwhile, beach is played on a slightly smaller sand court with only two players. These two players cannot be substituted with anyone else mid-game and do not have a specialized position. While it is common to have one taller player who blocks and a shorter one to play defense, both players must serve, pass, set, and hit throughout the game.
Another difference is the rules. According to volleyballmag.com, “Beach volleyball teams need to win two sets and the first two sets end when the winning team scores 21 points (not 25 like in an indoor set).” Some rules impact how the game is played. A very common example of that is setting. In beach volleyball, a longer, slower contact is allowed, but it can’t spin as much as in indoor, where the contact does not have to be as clean, but no lifts are allowed.
Other rules that have a huge impact on these two sports include that you are not allowed to open-hand tip in beach volleyball, as you are in indoor volleyball. Beach players use a skill called the pokey to hit short shots with their knuckles. In indoor volleyball, a block touch does not count as one of the three contacts, but it does in beach!
So, why might someone play one over the other? Well, as previously mentioned, indoor volleyball has six players, each with a specialized position. This allows for an intense and fast-paced game. Someone who wants to specialize in one position and play a fast game might want to play indoor over beach. On the other hand, beach only has two players. Because of this, players have to have a lot of ball control, and the beach game is typically slower than indoor. Someone who wants to do everything instead of specializing in one position might choose beach over indoor. Additionally, beach games are often more relaxed. However, at a high level, both games are very intense.
Finally, many conditions make beach volleyball and indoor volleyball different from each other. Indoor players, as the name suggests, play inside, without weather conditions affecting the game. Beach is the opposite. According to renathletics.com, “Wind, sun, and rain can all affect the way the ball moves, making beach volleyball a more unpredictable game than indoor volleyball.”
In conclusion, beach and indoor volleyball are both volleyball, but many differences make them unique, such as rules, conditions, and so much more. Both are great sports that teach discipline, teamwork, and are super fun!