It’s the most watched sport at the Olympics, and it was added as a women’s collegiate sport just a few years ago. Beach volleyball is on the rise nationwide.
With the popularity of the sport growing, many players are wanting to make the switch from indoor to the sand. If you’re wanting to make that switch, you probably have a lot of questions. How do I make the switch? What if I don’t live near the beach? How do I find a partner? These are all valid questions that can all be answered.
Making the switch from indoor to beach you have to be prepared to endure a learning curve. Beach volleyball is a completely different game. There are two people on a smaller court in the sand. You have to do all the skills of the game: pass, set, hit, dig, serve, etc. But don’t let the learning curve deter you!
One of the first steps you can take is find a local sand court. Whether it’s at the beach, a park, on a school campus, etc., find somewhere you can play. If you see locals playing on the courts, it never hurts to ask if you can jump in with them. Any touches in the sand are good touches!
Make sure to do your research too. Look up online if there are leagues, camps, developmental programs, clubs or tournaments near you. Camps are a great place to start; you’ll learn fundamentals and strategy to the beach game. Along with playing in these camps/leagues, you will meet lots of other players. Be sure to keep in touch with players and coaches that you meet. Set up practices with these coaches and players so that you can have extra training, as well as partner options for tournaments.
What if there aren’t any tournaments or leagues near you? If you’re wanting to make the commitment to this sport, it might take some traveling to reach your goals. The AVP now offers a developmental program, AVPNext, to players wanting to make it to the next level. Read more to see which markets AVPNext is happening in, and sign up to play!
Overall, play as much as you can! The only way to get your sand legs is to be out there on the sand. Study the game, watch the pros (you can watch the AVP finals on CBS Sports Network the Sunday during each of our events!), and make it a lifestyle for yourself. And as always, don’t forget to wear sunscreen!