Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball is a sunny and fun sport played on sand. Two teams of two players hit a ball back and forth over a net. The goal is to make the ball land on the other team's side. Running in sand is hard, so players must be strong and quick. It is an Olympic sport and loved by fans all over the world.

How to Play

Each team has just two players, so they work very hard. A team can hit the ball up to three times before sending it over the net. Players use their hands and arms to pass, set, and spike the ball. They cannot let the ball touch the ground on their side. Games are played to 21 points.

Where It Started

Beach volleyball began in California in the 1920s. People on the beach wanted a fun game to play on the sand. It grew popular and turned into a real sport. In 1996, beach volleyball became an Olympic sport in Atlanta. Now, pro players travel the world to compete on sandy courts.

Fun Facts

• Players do not wear shoes because the sand is soft.
• A beach volleyball court is smaller than an indoor court.
• Top players can jump higher than the top of the net.

Did You Know?

Sometimes beach volleyball is played in places without a real beach. Tournaments have been held with sand trucked into big cities.