How does scoring work in beach volleyball?

B · Beginner · Scoring and winning · 1 of 6

Checked 14 October 2026

Every rally ends with a point. A team wins the point by landing the ball on the opponents' side of the sand, or when the opponents commit a fault or are given a penalty. The team that wins the rally serves next.

How it works

A rally runs from the service hit until the ball is out of play.
If the serving team wins the rally, it scores and the same player serves again.
If the receiving team wins the rally, it scores and serves next, with the partner who did not serve last time.
If two faults follow one another, only the first counts.
If opponents commit faults at the same moment, it is a double fault and the rally is replayed.

Tricky cases

Does a team have to be serving to score?

No. Whichever team wins the rally scores.

Both teams were at fault at the same moment. Who gets the point?

Nobody. The rally is replayed.

Why the rule exists

A point on every rally keeps the score moving and makes the length of a set predictable.

Where it differs

Where	What changes	Source
FIVB beach rules	As above	BV 6.1
Indoor volleyball	The same scoring system	V 6.1

From the rule book

FIVB Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 6.1, 8.1 and 8.2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Beach Volleyball Rules (PDF).