The art of beach volleyball

In beach volleyball, two teams consisting of two players each compete on a sand court measuring 16 meters in length and 8 meters in width. This contrasts with the dimensions for indoor volleyball, which features a court that is 18 meters long and 9 meters wide. Matches are played in two winning sets: the first two sets are played to 21 points, and the third set to 15 points. A two-point difference is required to win a set.

At the Olympic Games, 24 teams compete in the men's and women's tournaments. With just two players, there has to be perfect harmony on defense, and each duo has to cover a 64-square-meter half of the court. Unlike volleyball, matches take place outdoors. As a result, wind, sun and rain can influence playing conditions.

Each team is allowed three touches to send the ball into the opponent's half, using any part of the body. If the ball touches the line, it is considered to be in the field. Touching the net is prohibited; doing so results in a point being awarded to the opposing team, making counter-attacks very challenging. As long as a team continues to score, they retain the serve. However, there are no second serves and the lost point is awarded to the opposing team.

Now you're ready! For the record, beach volleyball made its official Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games, after appearing as a demonstration sport in Barcelona in 1992.

Qualities required to be a champion: agility, reading the game and flexibility.

The difference between beach volleyball and volleyball isn't just the sand! The beach ball is designed with a slightly lower pressure than a volleyball and is constructed from materials that are resistant to humidity. It's also more colorful for better visibility: beach volleyball players sometimes play with the sun in their eyes, since the match takes place outdoors. Moreover, beach volleyball players must change sides every 7 points during a set. This rule balances out the impact of sun and wind direction.

To play beach, you need two players (without substitutes), whereas volleyball requires six players and as many substitutes. And each team must win two sets in beach versus three in volley. In play, the ball must be hit back to the opponent's court, as opposed to volleyball where it can be pushed or flicked. Ultimately, on the sand court, there are no fixed positions: players are free to position themselves as they wish.

Beach volleyball has a lot of specific vocabulary.

Tomahawk: The tomahawk is a unique defensive move in beach volleyball, named for its resemblance to the motion of swinging a tomahawk. It involves the player joining their hands together, fingers spread and palms facing the incoming ball, to return a shot that’s too high to dig and too low to block.

Ace: An ace in beach volleyball is a serve that results directly in a point, typically because the receiving team is unable to return it. This could be due to the serve’s speed, placement, or the receiving team’s error. Aces are a testament to a player’s serving skill and can be game-changing moments.

Clean-set: A clean-set refers to a perfectly executed set in beach volleyball. It’s when the ball is hit cleanly with the player’s fingertips, allowing for precise control over the ball’s direction and speed. A clean-set is crucial for setting up effective attacks and requires excellent hand-eye coordination.

Pokey: The pokey is a clever attacking move in beach volleyball. It involves using the knuckles of the index and middle finger to ‘poke’ the ball over the net. This technique is often used when a traditional spike isn’t possible, and it can catch the opposing team off guard due to its unpredictable trajectory.

Float: A float serve in beach volleyball is a type of serve where the ball is hit flat, causing it to move unpredictably in the air, much like a knuckleball in baseball. The unpredictability of a float serve can make it difficult for the receiving team to handle, making it a valuable tool in a server’s arsenal.

Women :

Men's :

In the capital, there are four sports facilities available for learning and enhancing your skills. Two are located in the 15th arrondissement, one in the 7th, and another in the 19th.

According to the French Volleyball Federation (FFVolley), the sport is played by a wide range of people aged 3 to 77, 47% of whom are women and 53% men. This means that beach volleyball is accessible to a huge number of people. So don't hesitate!