How is beach volleyball different from indoor volleyball?
A · Advanced · The court, the net, the ball, the team and beach volleyball · 8 of 8Beach volleyball is two against two on a sand court of 16 by 8 metres, with no substitutes. Matches are the best of three sets: two to 21 points and a deciding set to 15. A block counts as one of the three hits, and an open-hand tip over the net is a fault.
How it works
| Indoor | Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 6 a side, with substitutes and liberos | 2 a side, no substitutes |
| Court | 18 × 9 m | 16 × 8 m, sand, no centre line or attack line |
| Net | 2.43 m men, 2.24 m women | The same |
| Sets | To 25; fifth to 15 | To 21; third to 15 |
| Match | Best of five | Best of three |
| Changing sides | After each set; at 8 in the fifth | Every 7 points; every 5 in the third set |
| Block | Not counted as a hit | Counted: two hits remain |
| Positions | Rotation order at the serve | None; only the service order is kept |
| Serve | 8 seconds | 5 seconds |
| Time-outs | Two a set | One a set, plus a technical time-out at FIVB events when the scores add up to 21 |
| Between sets | 3 minutes | 1 minute |
| Injury | 3 minutes if no substitute | Up to 5 minutes' recovery |
| Ball | 65 to 67 cm, firmer | 66 to 68 cm, softer |
Playing the ball on the beach:
- An attack with an open-handed finger action, the "tip" or "dink", is a fault. If fingertips are used they must be rigid and together.
- An attack made with an overhand pass must travel in line with the player's shoulders, forwards or backwards. The exception is a set meant for the partner.
- A first ball taken overhand with the fingers must be clean: no double contact. The exception is defending a hard-driven ball, where the contact may even be held for a moment.
- A player may go into the opponents' side of the court if they do not interfere.
- At FIVB, world and official competitions players may not be coached during the match.
- Players play barefoot unless the referee allows otherwise.
Tricky cases
Does the block count as a touch in beach volleyball?
Yes. After a block the team has two more hits.
Can a beach player tip the ball over with the fingers?
No. An open-handed finger tip is a fault.
Can beach players stand anywhere?
Yes. There are no set positions and no positional faults. The two players must serve in turn.
Why do beach teams change ends so often?
To share out the sun and wind. The rules set the switch at every 7 points, and every 5 in the third set.
Why the rule exists
Two players cannot cover a court the way six can. The smaller court, the counted block and the ban on soft tips keep attack and defence in balance on sand.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIVB beach rules | As above | BV, clauses in the claims table |
| Age-group events | The net height and coaching rules may vary | BV 2.1; BV 4.1.4 |
From the rule book
FIVB Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 to 18. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Beach Volleyball Rules (PDF).