BEACH VOLLEYBALL RULES
Beach volleyball is played according to the FIVB 2015 Rules, with some modifications as required to cater for the fact that FIVB Rules are basically written for pairs competition at the very highest level.
- The Court
Beach volleyball is played on a sand court 16m long x 8m wide.
- The Net
The net is set at 2.43m high for Men’s and Mixed competition. For Ladies competition it is set at 2.24m high, and for juniors at various levels depending on age and standard.
- The Ball
The ball is one as approved by FIVB for competition, and is supplied by Sand City.
- Players
Beach volleyball is played as Men’s, Ladies, Open (no specific genders) or Mixed competitions. In Mixed 6 competition at least 2 ladies, and a maximum of 6, must be on the court at all times. In Mixed 4 competition at least 2 ladies, and a maximum of 4, must be on the court at all times. In grades of 6-a-side and 4-a-side, up to 2 substitute players may be included in a team, and they join at their team’s service. In pairs competition (Men’s, Ladies, Mixed) no substitute players may be used.
- Scoring
Rally point scoring is used, with a continuous tally, no sets.
- The Serve
Service and starting ends are decided by a pre-match coin toss or similar. The server must serve from behind the service line and within the extension of the sidelines. Any player may take receipt of the service, but no “blocking” of the service is permitted. A service touching the net and crossing the plane of the net is good - there is no let.
- The Play
The object of a rally is to cause the opposition to fail to prevent the ball striking the sand within their court, or to fail to return the ball within 3 hits.
- The Block
A block is an attempt to play the ball on the first receipt, such that the ball will return to the opposing court. A block is defined as being within 1 metre of the net, and above the height of the net. A block which fails to return the ball to the opposition court may be played again by the same player, but this counts as two hits.
- The Lines
A ball striking a line is deemed to be in, and a server touching the line with his foot on service is deemed to have committed a fault.
- Change of Ends
The game is played in 2 halves, with teams changing ends at half time. Special rules may apply for particular competitions at the direction of the management.
Issue 3/Jan/16
FOOT VOLLEY RULES
This is a version of a game which is played in many South American and Asian countries, with various rules, and under various names. Essentially it is a combination of soccer and volleyball skills, adapted to be appropriate for Australian conditions.
- The Court
Foot volley is played on a sand court 16m long x 8m wide, the same as for beach volleyball.
- The Net
The net is 1.2m above the playing surface. It can be raised for special events.
- The Ball
The regular ball is a special ball with the same dimensions as a soccer ball.
- The Play
The serve must cross the plane of the net to be legal, with or without touching the net. The receiving side has up to 3 plays in which to return the ball to the opposing team. On each play the ball may bounce once before being touched by a player, who may use any part of his/her body, but not including the hand or arm below the elbow, to control the ball. Only one touch is allowed, except on the “attack hit”.
- The Attack
The attack is the play directed to put the ball across the net to the opponent’s court. This may be the first, second, or third play by a team. The attack may include a bounce from the sand surface, followed by a body strike, or no bounce but 2 touches by the attacking player. This may be to set a better attacking position.
- Scoring
A team loses the point if the serve does not cross the net, or crosses the net but does not land within the receiving court lines. A receiving team loses the point if it cannot control the ball within the definition of (4. The Play) above. Rally point scoring applies, with the serving team continuing to serve until they lose the rally. Scoring is with a continuous tally, no sets.
- The Serve
Service and starting ends are determined by a pre-match coin toss or similar. Each server continues to do so until that team loses the rally, in which case the opposition gets to serve. Players of each team rotate in their chosen order to be servers. The ball is put in to play as a “serve” by being kicked from a stationary position on the surface, and level with the cones, and within the bounds of the side lines. Any player on the receiving team may make the first receipt play.
- Change of Ends
The game is played in 2 x 14-minute halves with one minute to change ends at half-time. The team receiving the first serve of the game becomes the server to start the second half.
- The Lines
A ball touching the court lines is deemed to be in
Issue 3/Jan/16
BEACH BADMINTON RULES
- The Court
Beach badminton is played on a sand court 12m long x 5m wide.
- The Net
The net for all grades is 1.5m high.
- The Shuttlecock
The shuttlecock is plastic, adapted to outdoor play by adding a little bluetack to the cork for extra weight.
- The Racquet
BWF (Badminton World Federation) approved racquets are used. Sand City provides racquets but players may use their personal racquets.
- Players
Beach badminton is played as Men’s, Ladies, or Mixed doubles.
- Scoring
Rally point scoring is used, with a continuous tally, no sets.
- The Serve
Service and starting ends are decided by a pre-match coin toss or similar. The player must serve level with the cones and can serve anywhere in the opposition court. The server must serve underarm (as per BWF regulations). Either player on the opposing team can return the shuttlecock. If the shuttlecock touches the net on the serve and still reaches the opposing team’s court then the point is good - there is no let.
- Change of Ends
The game is played in 2x 14-minute halves with one minute to change ends at half-time.
- The Lines
If a shuttle touches the line it is deemed in.
- Shuttlecock in Play
Beach badminton is only one hit per side to hit the shuttlecock over the net. Either play may make the play. Points are scored when the shuttle hits the sand within the court or when the shuttle lands outside the court or does not clear the net.
Issue 3/Jan/16
