Beach volleyball has its own set of regulations and is a dynamic and thrilling sport. It is essential to comprehend these guidelines in order to ensure fair play and a fun, seamless game.
1. The Court:
- Size: The court is a rectangle measuring 16 meters long by 8 meters wide.
- Net Height: The net height varies for men (2.43 meters) and women (2.24 meters).
- Out of Bounds: The area outside the court lines is considered out of bounds.
2. Scoring:
- Rally Scoring: In rally scoring, a point is awarded on every serve, regardless of which team served.
- Winning a Set:
- Sets are typically played to 21 points, with a two-point minimum winning margin.
- The deciding set (if necessary) is played to 15 points.
- Switching Sides: Teams switch sides of the court after every 7 points in the first two sets and every 5 points in the third set.
3. Serving:
- The Serve: The server must stand behind the end line and serve the ball over the net.
- Faults: A fault occurs if the server:
- Steps on or over the end line before contacting the ball.
- Contacts the ball twice in a row.
- Fails to serve the ball over the net.
- Serves out of bounds.
4. Playing the Ball:
- Three Hits: Each team is allowed a maximum of three contacts to return the ball over the net.
- Contacting the Ball: The ball can be contacted with any part of the body.
- Double Contact: A player cannot touch the ball twice consecutively, except after a block on the first contact.
5. Blocking:
- Blocking is Legal: Blocking is allowed and does not count as one of the three contacts.
- Interference: Players cannot interfere with an opponent’s play at the net.
6. Fouls:
- Touching the Net: Touching the net with any part of the body during play is a fault.
- Crossing the Center Line: Crossing the center line under the net during play is a fault.
- Interfering with Opponents: Interfering with an opponent’s play, such as blocking their movement, is a fault.
7. Violations:
- Foot Faults: Stepping on or over the end line while serving is a foot fault.
- Double Hits: Hitting the ball twice consecutively is a double hit.
- Carrying the Ball: Holding the ball for an extended period is considered carrying.
8. Timeouts:
- Timeouts: Each team is allowed one 30-second timeout per set.
9. Technical Timeout:
- Technical Timeout: In the first two sets, there is an automatic 30-second technical timeout when the combined score of both teams reaches 21 points.
These are the fundamental rules of beach volleyball. Understanding and adhering to these rules will ensure fair play and a more enjoyable experience for all players.