lovebeachvb

So you want to play beach volleyball all the time... why not just build a beach court in your backyard?  

You could, but it would be a huge expense. So let's move to option two: buy your own net! It's hard to snag a court sometimes, but if you own your own equipment, you call the shots!

Here's a good place to find sand volleyball equipment: http://www.homecourt.com.  You can purchase a professional net with 4" tape like the one pictured above for just over $200.

You'll also need court lines. Rope is cheaper and will do the trick (be sure to a rope winder to wrap up your lines at the end of a session) but the webbing is worth the extra money. You can expect to pay $40-$70.  Adjustable lines are necessary only if you plan to play quads- if you're playing doubles, don't bother buying adjustable or be prepared to measure them out on occasion because they will slip.  You'll also need a set of court line sand anchors to hold your lines in place while you compete- another $15.

Antennas are a good purchase if you want to play competitively.  Look for some that break down into two parts for easy transport. Velcro is ideal for set-up. The set of fiberglass antennas on this site is perfect- $65.

And don't forget to purchase volleyballs! Wilson is great, and they have a new collegiate sand volleyball for around $40. Check your local Costco for a good deal. Spalding is King of the Beach when it's windy, and you should be able to find it for around the same price point. You'll need at least six volleyballs to keep a good pace to the game when you play.  If you're training or competing in an wide open area, you'll appreciate having more.

On the Attack!

If you've tried to attack a set on the sand, I'm sure you quickly realized how much different it felt from your three or four step approach and attack indoor.  To clarify, by different I meant extremely difficult!

Timing your attack for a powerful jump, strong armswing, and solid contact with the ball can be tricky.  Here are three tips to make your attack on the sand more effective next time your playing beach volleyball:

Minimize the broad jump.  Planting your feet closer to the ball can be the most difficult adjustment for hitters that transition from the court to the sand.  The sand will steal some of your magic hops, so forget the broad jump and get to the ball!

Mix up your shots. Who doesn't like to crush a great set? But if you're on the beach, you'll need more in your arsenal than a hard driven attack. Learn to cut, poke, roll, and swing to locations all over your opponents side of the court.

If all else fails, split the defense.  On the sand, too many variables get in the way of you and a perfect set.  If your options are slim, test how well your opponents play together by sending a ball deep middle.

Why not hand set?

Maybe you’ve noticed that beach volleyball players rarely use their hands to set.  With all the specialty hand setting that take place for the indoor game, what’s with the bump set on the beach? 

Strict Rules!

Bottom line: Setting on the beach is judged more strictly than indoors. 

Here are the specifics on hand setting, and the basic reasons beach volleyball players tend to avoid hand setting at all costs:

The hands should act together smoothly, or a double hit may be called.

o   Spin is an indicator, although technically it is not a fault.

Sets that visibly pause, or in which the ball is re-directed are held ball faults.

Hand set attacks across the net are legal only if the setter is clearly facing directly toward, or back setting squarely toward, the target.  Faults are whistled as illegal attacks.

o   If a set is blown over the net by wind, play continues as this is not considered a fault.

WHO’S IN YOUR HEAD?!

On the sand, it can be difficult to keep your focus.

Stay focused! 

What is it that’s stealing your attention from the play?  Is it that last swing when you were stuffed by your opponent?  Is it the sun that’s in your eyes? Is it the hot sand?  Is it the frustration of your partner? 

If you want to come out on top, you have to be thinking one step ahead.  Don’t allow your focus to be drained by things that aren’t contributing to your success. Don’t allow your opponent, the last play, the weather, your teammate, or YOU to be in your head. 

Keep your focus on technique. Keep your attention on the changing wind and the tendencies of your competition.  Keep your focus on the ball as it moves into your platform, and on the court as you approach to strategically place your attack. 

I play indoor. Why play BEACH?

Aside from the obvious fact that training outdoors, especially on the beach (waves, ocean breeze, sunny skies) trumps being confined to a gym all day long, playing sand volleyball can be great for your indoor game!

Boost your Vertical

If you play an indoor position that involves blocking, attacking, or jousting at the net, your vertical is a huge asset, indoor or sand.  What does this have to do with sand volleyball?  If you’re training your legs to jump in the sand, you’ll be strengthening your ankles and feet on the uneven surface while at the same time improving your vertical through the natural cross training.  By playing in the sand, you’re legs will be stronger and your body more agile, so you will see improvements in your vertical when you move your game back indoors.

Sharpen your Skills

Your passing and defense will improve as you play in the sand.  With only two people on the court, you’re forced to do it all: serving, setting, attacking, defense, and blocking.  Playing sand gets you more touches on the ball, challenges you to have greater ball control, and forces you to be more aggressive on defense. 

Weather the Elements

Once you’ve mastered ball control in difficult conditions like wind, sun, sand and rain, you’ll see your confidence and execution skyrocket when you return to the court for some indoor volleyball.

Head Coach Tom Black takes LMU to the sand! 

With all of the benefits beach volleyball has for an indoor player, which schools will jump on board next?

The Biggest Mistake New Beach Players Make

Why is passing such an overlooked skill?

It’s not all that exciting.  It’s way more fun to practice swinging for a kill, laying out to make a great defensive play, or blocking an attack at the net. 

Unfortunately, we can’t get to the fun parts of the game if we can’t pass. The biggest mistake new beach volleyball players make is to skip practice time on passing.

Passing is the most important skill in beach volleyball. Ironically, many beach players spend relatively little time practicing the passing skills that are so important to successful side-out play.

If you’ve been neglecting your passing, add a few passing drills to your workout today.  Here are two quick examples:

Short & Deep Movement: Work on your footwork in the sand with a partner passing series that challenges your movement both short-and-deep and side-to-side.

Why Breakfast is for Champions 

Breakfast provides your body with fuel for the day, revs up your metabolism, and prevents you from feeling ravenous later in the day. It also improves concentration!  

Want to Strengthen Your Game? Strengthen Your Core!

Since your core helps to stabilize your body when you move to maintain balance, core strength can prevent injury and help you perform better on the beach!

Here are 3 simple exercises you can add to your routine to build core strength!

PLANK (see picture): Lie face down on the floor with your elbows bent, your arms under your chest and your toes together. Curl your toes under and lift your body off the ground balancing your weight between your forearms and the balls of your feet.  Keep your abs tight and back flat.  Hold for 30-60 seconds and repeat for 2-3 sets.

SUPERMAN: Lie face down on the floor with legs straight and arms extended above your head.  Keep your torso steady and your head facing forward as you simultaneously lift your arms and legs off the ground.  Hold that position momentarily, and slowly lower your arms and legs back to starting position over 5-10 seconds.  Repeat for 2-3 sets of 10 reps.

BICYCLE: Lie flat on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Interlock your fingers behind your head as if to position yourself for traditional sit-ups. Simultaneously lift your shoulders off the ground and extend your right leg a few inches off the floor as you pull your left knee and right elbow to meet above your abs. Without dropping your shoulders or feet to the ground, rotate your upper body left to alternate your position by extending your left leg and meeting your right knee to your left elbow. Repeat for 2-3 sets of 20-30 reps.

Who’s in for Collegiate Beach Volleyball?

15 schools have announced they’ll participate in the inaugural season of NCAA Women’s Sand Volleyball in spring 2012:

Pepperdine

USC

Hawaii

Florida State

College of Charleston

Stetson

Jacksonville University

University of North Florida

University of Alabama –Birmingham

Tulane

Mercer

Florida Atlantic

Webber International

Florida Gulf Coast

Moving in the sand is no easy task!

If you’re transitioning from indoor volleyball to beach, you've probably experienced the sinking feeling as you’ve struggled to chase down a pass.  Maybe you’ve been burned by an easy shot down the line because you couldn't change direction.