The Differences Between Beach and Indoor Volleyball

Several people play volleyball for fun, exercise, and to make friends. Pick up games are constantly happening for interested individuals. All you need is some basic equipment from All Volleyball. Then, you can decide whether you prefer to play at the beach or indoors. Both options are fun, and many people play at both venues. However, there are key differences between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball. Before you join a game, it is important to understand how each game is played.

Balls

You need different balls to play indoors and at the beach. The indoor volleyballs are heavier and made of leather. They are designed to be more powerful and move quicker around the court. Beach volleyballs are lighter and softer than the balls used indoors. They are also a little bit bigger. The lighter weight helps the ball float in the outdoor air, and it can benefit the players in specific weather conditions.

Court Sizes

The size of the court is different for outdoor and indoor volleyball games. Indoor courts are larger, and there is a line of attack that the back row players cannot cross during the game. Beach volleyball courts are smaller, and they do not have the attack line. Instead, a player can hit the ball from anywhere on the court.

Players

Each team is allotted a specific amount of players during a volleyball game. When the game is held indoors, six players are aloud on the court at a time. All of these players have a certain position, and they usually rotate to their spots during the game. Typically, beach volleyball is played in pairs or doubles. The two players do not necessarily have positions. Instead, one stays on the left and the other stays on the right.

Scoring

Scoring is important in any game because it indicates which team wins. In volleyball, scoring can be confusing if you do not understand the rules. During indoor games, the best of five sets wins. To win a set, the team has to score 25 points first. If a fifth set is necessary, the first team to 15 points wins. Beach volleyball involves fewer sets, usually because there are more rallies. Teams play best of three. The first two sets are played to 21 points, and the last set is played to 15 points. For both indoor and outdoor volleyball, a team must win a set by two points.

These are the basic differences between beach and indoor volleyball. Now that you understand the differences, you can join a pick up game in your area. You will love meeting new friends and getting some exercise.