Beach Volleyball is an outdoor sand-based court sport played between two teams of two. The aim of the game is to hit an inflated ball over a net that hangs high at the centre of the court and make it land in the opposition's half.
1. One team will begin the game by striking the ball over the net, which is known as a “serve”.
2. Both teams will then compete in what is known as a “rally”, where the ball exchanges hands and flies above the net between both sides of the court.
3. A rally finishes when one team cannot return the ball, and a point is marked for the team that forced the error.
4. Players are allowed to touch the ball three times maximum before they return it across the court – blocks included.
5. There are a number of moves and hits that are classed as illegal in Beach Volleyball, including “hand touches”, “tips” and “dinks”.
6. Players are permitted to cross below the net in Beach Volleyball – but this will be classed as a foul if it tampers or interferes with the opposing team's play.
7. There is no set position for players, meaning they can move to any part of the court they wish at any time – provided it is on their side.
The team that reaches 21 points (by two clear points) first is declared the winner of a set, and two set wins are required to emerge victorious in the overall match.
