Beach Volleyball Strategies

As with any sport, beach volleyball has very unique strategy’s which can help you win games, master the wind, and survive the heat! 

• Wind can be your friend AND your enemy as it can cause the ball to move in unpredictable manner.  If you can master using the wind to your advantage early in your game, it will be a huge help in your beach volleyball games!  
  • Typically the "good side" on a windy day is the side that has the wind blocing into your face. However, winds can become so strong at times that what was once an advantage shifts to be a disadvantage.  So be smart in chosing a side if you are ever offered a choice.
• With two players covering a large area of court, communication (verbal and nonverbal) is very important. 
• While you get 3 hits per side, using 1 or 2 touches to get the ball over the net can be a deceptive way to score points.  
  • Beware of this approach to the game as it can often prompt your opponents to retaliate in the same unexpected manner.

  • It is also considered somewhat cheap using this approach too often.

• No strategy is quite as important on the hot summer beaches as early and constant hydration.  Water and electrolytes starting 2 days prior!
• Time outs can even be used to your advantage on the beach.  Typically when one team is exhausted after a long play, so is the other team.  Before rushing to call a time out to recover, wait to see if your opponent uses one.  Remember you only get 2 timeouts per game; which can seem like 20 too little when it is 90 degrees and sunny!
• Win the game with finesse, NOT with power! 
  • Beach volleyball is a game of strategy, focus on shot accuracy rather than going for the hard spike on every swing. Players who swing at every ball usually get tired quicker and barely ever make it though playoffs. So learn the rolls shot and use it often. Just watch the open players and see how often they hit the ball, and trust me, each one of them could probably hit it every single time.
• Don’t be too concerned with blocking, especially in the beginning stages of your beach volleyball career. 
  • Remember when you are blocking you are leaving one other player to cover the entire court.  If you decide to block, be certain you can and likely will block the ball or significantly alter the hitters shot!

  • Once you decide to block, you should learn hand signals to indicate which area of the court the block will be covering (those are teh fingers the non-serving palyer usually shows).  The strategy is for the block to cover ½ of the court while the defending player covers the other ½ of the court.

  • Even if you decide to block, it is often advisable and necessary to "pull back" from a block due to a poor set. Make sure your partner is aware which way you are planning to pull.