Beach Volleyball

Serve, Dig, Spike, Repeat...

We’ve been bringing the beach to millions of fans across the globe since 2015, inside stadiums at iconic locations and through inventive digital channels. And the result? Goosebump moments that stay with our fans, guests and players forever.

History of beach volleyball

How it all began

From humble beginnings, to the huge popularity that is has today, read about how beach volleyball has become one of the world’s most entertaining Olympic sports.

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Beach Volleyball made by ACTS

The story so far

Goosebumps don’t lie! The Beach Volleyball Major Series has been going strong since 2015, delivering high-quality sporting entertainment and showcasing the planet’s best athletes.

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Beach rules

Ball Measurements

66-68 cm(26-27 in)

Mass

260-280 g(9.2-9.9oz)

Internal Pressure

0.175-1.225 kgf/cm²(2.5-3.2psi)

Beach rules

Field of Play

The beach volleyball court is rectangular measuring 16m x 8m. It is surrounded by a free zone of 5m minimum.

Beach rules

Net heights

Beach rules

How to score

Points

A team scores a point by successfully landing the ball on the opponent's court or when the opposing team faults.

Beach rules

Scoring

To win a set

The first team to reach a score of 21 points with a minimum of a two-point-lead wins a set, except for the deciding third set. In the case of a 20-20 tie, play is continued until a two-point lead is achieved (22-20; 23-21; etc.).

To win the match

The match is won by the team that wins two sets. In the case of a 1-1 tie, a deciding 3rd set is played to 15 points with a minimum lead of 2 points.

Beach rules

Possible faults

If the ball hits the ground outside of the court lines, the antenna, ropes, posts or the side bands of the actual net itself; it constitutes as a fault of the player who touched the ball last.
A player touches the net.
The ball is caught or thrown. It can rebound in any direction.

Referee signs

First whistle

The team has to serve within the first 5 seconds after the first whistle.

Ball in

The ball touches ground within the lines of field of play

Ball out

The ball touches ground outside the lines of the field of play, touches another object or is played outside the antennas of the net.

Ball touch

The ball is played outside the lines of the field of play, but touched by the defending team beforehand.

Double touch

A player touches the ball twice in one play after it has already been touched by the same player.

Four Hits/Four Touches

A team touches the ball four times before returning it to the other team.

Hold ball

The ball is caught or thrown or rebounces in any direction.

Net touch

A player touches the net while playing.

A player reaches over the net

A player touches the ball on the opponents side of the net (only allowed while blocking).

Crossing

A player touches the service line as he/she serves.

Double fault and replay

If there are two or more faults committed by both teams at the same time, the referee decides on double fault and will replay.

Side switch

Teams swap sides after every 7 points scored (in the 1st and 2nd set) and after every 5 points (3rd set).

Time out

Each team can request a 30 second time out per set. There is also an additional 30 second technical time out in the 1st and 2nd sets.

Warning

The yellow card is a formal warning and is shown if a foul is committed

Hand signs

Right Hand

Tactics against the right player

Hand signs

Left hand

Tactics against the left player

Hand signs

No fingers

No blocking

Hand signs

One finger

Long-line blocking

Hand signs

Two fingers

Diagonal blocking

Hand signs

Two fingers
Split

Split blocking

Hand signs

Five fingers

Block the ball
Blocking without a main direction

Hand signs

Show over

Serve towards the player who is not attacking

Gstaad

Major Vienna

Major Hamburg

Gstaad

Major Vienna

Major Hamburg

Dear Beach Volleyball Community

The Sport

Serve, Dig, Spike, Repeat...

How it all began

The story so far

Ball Measurements

Field of Play

Net heights

How to score

Scoring

Possible faults