Indoor beach volleyball is an increasingly popular sport that offers those who wish to play the opportunity to do so inside. It is a variation of indoor volleyball, with slight modifications to rules and court size.

It also requires different skill sets than indoor volleyball, such as setting and attacking, and players can opt to wear shorts or a bathing suit. Cross-training between beach and indoor volleyball is common to improve skills, and recreational centers are offering the opportunity to enjoy the game inside, regardless of age.

This article will discuss the facilities and courts, rules and regulations, and skills and cross-training involved in playing indoor beach volleyball.

Facilities and Courts

Indoor beach volleyball facilities are becoming increasingly available in the United States, with clubs and school programs building indoor sand courts. As of July 2018, there were about 15 indoor beach volleyball facilities, many of them private companies that offer memberships or occasional play.

Beach volleyball courts are slightly smaller than indoor volleyball courts, measuring 8m x 16m as opposed to 9m x 9m. Beach volleyball is typically played in two-player teams, and requires a diverse set of skills from each player. There are no substitutions and coaching during the game is minimal in international play.

Sets are won at 21 points, with tie-breaker sets going to 15 points, and teams switch sides every 7 points in the first two sets and every 5 points in the third set. Setting in beach volleyball is different from indoor volleyball, and open-handed finger actions are considered a fault.

Uniforms consist of shorts or a bathing suit, with undershirt and training pants allowed with permission. Glasses and sunglasses can be worn, and hats or head coverings are optional. Compression pads are allowed for injury prevention.

Beach and indoor volleyball have similarities, and cross-training between the two can improve serving and blocking skills. Indoor beach volleyball provides an opportunity to play inside.

Rules and Regulations

Regulations governing the sport of beach volleyball provide specific guidelines for play, including net height, court size, team composition, and scoring requirements. Teams consist of two players and are not allowed to make substitutions. Coaching during the match is minimal in international play. Sets are won at 21 points, with tie-breaker sets completed at 15 points and matches always best of 3 sets. Teams switch sides every 7 points in the first two sets and every 5 points in the third set. No open-handed finger action is allowed when making an attack-hit.

Players must wear uniforms that match in color and be numbered. An undershirt or training pants can be worn with permission, and glasses or sunglasses are allowed. Hats or head coverings are optional, and compression pads can be used for injury prevention.

Beach and indoor volleyball have similarities, and cross-training between the two have become common:

  • Net height is the same for both – 2.43m for men and 2.24m for women.
  • Rally point scoring is used in both.
  • Skills from one version can translate to the other and improve serving and blocking skills.

Indoor beach volleyball provides an opportunity to play inside and enjoy the game of teamwork, intensity, skills, and strategy.

Skills and Cross-Training

Cross-training between beach and indoor volleyball has become increasingly popular, as skills in one version can often be adapted to improve the other.

Beach volleyball requires a diverse set of skills from each player, such as setting, digging, and blocking. In indoor volleyball, the same skills are required but often the environment is different. Beach volleyball is usually played outdoors with sand courts and no substitutions, while indoor volleyball is usually played on a hard surface with line-ups that can be changed.

In terms of playing style, beach volleyball focuses on attack-hits, which are any hits that go towards the opponent’s side, while indoor volleyball emphasizes more on defense and blocking. Beach volleyball also requires players to use a closed-handed finger action when attacking, which is not allowed in indoor volleyball. Therefore, players must adjust their playing style in order to be successful at both sports.

Cross-training between beach and indoor volleyball can help to improve a player’s skills in both sports. Players can work on their accuracy and power in beach volleyball and then apply those same skills to indoor volleyball. Players can also work on their agility and speed in indoor volleyball and then use it in beach volleyball.

Cross-training between beach and indoor volleyball can help players to become more successful in both sports.