Beach Volleyball Basics
Beach volleyball is played by two players per team on a 16 × 8 m sand court, with no substitutions and no fixed rotation — players may stand anywhere. Sets are played to 21 (best of three; a deciding set to 15), teams switch ends regularly, and — unlike indoor — the block counts as one of the team's three touches.
- Players
- 2 per team (no subs)
- Court
- 16 m × 8 m (sand)
- Scoring
- Sets to 21, best of 3 (3rd to 15)
- Block
- Counts as a touch
How beach differs from indoor
- Team size: two players per team with no substitutions, versus six players and substitutions indoors.
- No rotation: players may stand anywhere and specialise freely, though they must still serve in turn. Indoors, players rotate one position clockwise on winning the serve.
- Court: 16 × 8 m with no attack line — any player may attack from anywhere — versus the indoor 18 × 9 m court with a 3 m attack line.
- Scoring: sets to 21, best of three, with a deciding set to 15, win by two. Indoor sets are to 25, best of five.
- Switching ends: teams change sides every 7 points (every 5 in the deciding set) to keep sun and wind fair.
- The block counts: on the beach, touching the ball on the block uses up one of the three contacts; indoors it does not.
- Stricter hands: open-hand tips ("dinks") are not allowed, and hand-setting is judged strictly for clean contact. Players attack with a hard spike, a "cut" shot, or an open-hand poke instead of a soft tip.
The ball and conditions
Beach uses a slightly larger, softer, lower-pressure ball that travels well in open air, and the game is played outdoors in sand and in the elements. The net height is the same as indoor — 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women.
Deep dive: what the differences change
Two players cover everything
With only two players and no subs, each must serve, pass, set, attack, block and dig — there are no specialists like a libero or middle blocker. One player usually blocks at the net while the other defends the court, and they swap roles rally to rally.
Why the block counting matters
Because the block counts as the first of three touches, a team that touches the ball on the block has only two contacts left to set and attack. This shapes beach defense and is one of the biggest tactical differences from the indoor game.
Reading wind and sand
Sun, wind and an unstable sand surface put a premium on ball control and shot selection over raw power. It is a different test of the same core skills — for the indoor version of the rules, see the volleyball rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many players are on a beach volleyball team?
Beach volleyball is played two against two, with no substitutions. Each player must be able to serve, pass, set, attack, block and dig.
How big is a beach volleyball court?
A beach volleyball court is 16 m long and 8 m wide — smaller than the 18 × 9 m indoor court — and it has no attack line, so any player can attack from anywhere.
How does scoring work in beach volleyball?
Beach matches are best of three sets. The first two sets are played to 21 points and the deciding third set to 15, each won by at least two points.
Does the block count as a touch in beach volleyball?
Yes. On the beach, touching the ball on the block counts as one of the team's three contacts, so only two touches remain. Indoors, the block does not count.
What is the main difference between beach and indoor volleyball?
Beach volleyball uses two players with no rotation on a smaller 16 × 8 m sand court, scores sets to 21, counts the block as a touch and bans open-hand tips. Indoor uses six players who rotate, a larger court, sets to 25, and the block does not count.