Answers to the most frequently asked questions in beach volleyball rules. Answers are derived from the official rulebooks which are linked below. Some of the rules have been reworded for concision, and not all rules are covered in the FAQ, so when in doubt, read the official rulebooks under the FAQ.
AVP: Association of Volleyball Professionals
CBVA: California Beach Volleyball Association
FIVB: Fédération Internationale de Volleyball
AVP: It is a fault to complete an attack with an overhand pass with a trajectory not perpendicular to the line of the shoulders, except when setting your teammate. This means the ball can be set over on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd touch.
CBVA: A player may set the ball in any direction towards his/her team’s court, provided that the ball is contacted simultaneously by both hands and does not visibly come to rest. Rotation of the ball after the set may indicate a held ball or multiple contacts during the set, but in itself is not a fault. A legal set directed towards a teammate that unintentionally crosses the net is not a fault. If the ball is intentionally set into the opponent’s court, the player must contact the ball above his/her shoulders and must direct the ball perpendicular to the direction his/her shoulders are facing. This means the ball can be set over on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd touch.
FIVB: It is a fault when a player completes an attack-hit using an overhand pass which has a trajectory not perpendicular to the line of the shoulders. The exception is when the player is attempting to set to his or her teammate. This means the ball can be set over on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd touch.
AVP: You can receive 1st, 2nd or 3rd ball with a set, including the serve, however if you receive the 1st ball with a set, you cannot double off another part of your body, even it it occurs in one action
CBVA: If during reception of a serve, a player attempts to receive serve in an open handed setting motion, it is a fault and the serving team wins the point. Otherwise, the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd ball can be received with an open handed setting motion
FIVB: You can receive 1st, 2nd or 3rd ball with a set, including the serve, however if you receive the 1st ball with a set, you cannot double off another part of your body, even it it occurs in one action
AVP: In defensive action of a hard driven ball, the ball can be held momentarily overhand with the fingers
CBVA: a hard-driven ball is an attack-hit or blocked ball traveling at a high rate of speed. The ball may be momentarily lifted or pushed if the attempt is one continuous motion
FIVB: In defensive action of a hard driven ball, the ball contact can be extended momentarily even if an overhand finger action is used
AVP: A block is when a player close to the net intercepts the ball coming from the opponent by reaching higher than the top of the net. Contact with the ball does not have to be with a body part higher than the net, but during the block some part has to be higher than the net
CBVA: Blocking is the action of player(s) close to the net to deflect the attacked ball coming from the opponent by reaching above the height of the net. It is a fault for the blocker to reach over the net and touch a ball that is being set by an opponent. It is a fault for the blocker to contact the ball for a prolonged period
FIVB: Blocking is the action of players close to the net to intercept the ball coming from the opponent by reaching higher than the top of the net, regardless of the height of the ball contact. At the moment of the contact with the ball, a part of the body must be higher than the top of the net
AVP: The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the one who has touched the ball at the block. A blocking contact is a team hit. The blocking team will only have two more hits after a blocking contact.
CBVA: The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the player who touched the ball at the block. A blocking contact is counted as a team hit. The blocking team will have two hits after a blocking contact.
FIVB: A blocking contact is counted as a team hit. The blocking team will have only two more hits after a blocking contact. The first hit after the block may be executed by any player, including the one who has touched the ball during the block.
AVP: In blocking, a player may touch the ball beyond the net if they don't interfere with the opponent's play before or during their attack hit. A player can reach past the net after they attack the ball as long as the contact was made within their own playing space.
CBVA: In blocking, the player may place his/her hands and arms beyond the net provided that action does not interfere with the opponent’s play. The player is not permitted to touch the ball beyond the net until the opponent has made an attack-hit. A player is permitted to pass his/her hand(s) beyond the net after an attack-hit, provided that the contact was made within his/her team’s playing space
FIVB: In blocking, the player may place his/her hands and arms beyond the net, provided that this action does not interfere with the opponent’s play. Thus, it is not permitted to touch the ball beyond the net before an opponent has executed an attack hit. It is a fault when the blocker touches the ball in the OPPONENT’S space before the opponent’s attack hit, or when the blocker blocks the ball in the opponent's space from outside the antenna.
AVP: If there is simultaneous contact by two opponents over the net and the ball remains in play, the receiving team is entitled to 3 hits. If the ball goes out, the point goes to the team whose side it is out on. If simultaneous contact over the net leads to a held ball, it is not a fault.
CBVA: If two opponents simultaneously and instantaneously contact the ball over the net, the ball remains in play and the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits. If such a ball lands out of bounds, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side of the net from where the ball lands. A joust occurs when players of opposing teams cause the ball to come to rest above the net through simultaneous contact. A joust is not a fault and play continues as if the contact was instantaneous
FIVB: When two opponents touch the ball simultaneously over the net and the ball remains in play, the team receiving the ball is entitled to another three hits. If such a ball goes ”out”, it is the fault of the team on the opposite side. If simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net lead to an extended contact with the ball, play continues. If the ball hits the antenna after simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net, the rally should be replayed
AVP: On a block, consecutive contact (quick and continuous and during one action) by one or more blockers are counted as only one team hit. These contacts can occur with any part of the body. When two teammates touch the ball simultaneously, it is counted as two hits except when blocking.
CBVA: Consecutive, quick and continuous contacts may occur by one or more blockers, provided that these contacts are made during one blocking action.
FIVB: Consecutive (quick and continuous) contacts may occur by one or more blockers provided that the contacts are made during one action. These are counted as only one team hit. These contacts may occur with any part of the body. When two teammates touch the ball simultaneously, it is counted as two hits (with the exception of blocking). If they reach for the ball but only one of them touches it, one hit is counted. If players collide, no fault is committed.
AVP: At the first hit of the team, unless it is played overhand using fingers, the ball may contact various parts of the body consecutively if they occur in one action.
CBVA: It is a fault to double contact the reception of a serve. It is a double hit fault while playing the ball (other than a hard driven ball), to have it also hit the hat being worn. If the ball touches a player’s hair, it is considered a contact
FIVB: The ball may touch various parts of the body, provided that the contacts take place simultaneously. At the first hit of the team, provided it is not made overhand with fingers) consecutive contacts are permitted provided that the contacts occur during one action. During the first hit of the team if it is played overhand using fingers, the ball may NOT contact the fingers/ hands consecutively, even if the contacts occur during one action. However, at blocking, consecutive contacts may be made by one or more players, provided that they occur during one action
AVP: All actions to direct the ball toward the opponent, except when serving or blocking, are attacks. It is completed the moment the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net completely or is touched by the blocker. It is a fault to hit the ball in the playing space of the opponent, to use an open-handed tip or dink with your fingers, or to attack the ball on the opponent's service when the ball is entirely above the net.
CBVA: All actions to purposely direct the ball towards the opponent’s playing area, except in the act of serving and blocking, are considered to be attack-hits. An attack-hit is completed the moment the ball completely crosses the vertical plane of the net or is touched by a blocker. It is a fault when a player completes an attack hit above the plane of the net on the opponent’s service.
FIVB: All actions which direct the ball towards the opponent, with the exception of service and block, are considered as attack hits. An attack-hit is completed the moment the ball completely crosses the vertical plane of the net or is touched by an opponent. It is a fault when a player completes an attack-hit using an open-handed finger action or if using finger tips that are not rigid and together. It is also a fault when a player completes an attack hit on the opponent’s service, when the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net. When contacting the ball with one hand, it must be cleanly hit with the heel or palm of the hand (a “roll shot”), with straight, locked fingertips (a “cobra”), knurled fingers (a “camel toe”) or the back of the hand from the wrist to the knuckles. One-handed placement or redirection of the ball with soft fingers (a “dink” or “open hand tip”) is a fault.
AVP: At the moment of service or take off for a jump serve, the server must not touch the court or the ground outside the court. Their foot cannot go under the line. The server can land anywhere after the serve. If the line moves because of sand pushed by the server, it is not a fault. The ball shall be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released. If the ball lands without being touched or is caught by the server after being tossed or released, it is a service, and there is no re-serve. The server's teammate must not prevent either opponent from seeing the server or the path of the ball. They must move sideways upon request.
CBVA: The server may move freely behind the end line. At the moment of the service or take-off for service, the server must not touch the ground outside the service zone. The player’s foot may not go under a boundary line. If the end line is moved by the server it is a fault. After the service contact, the player may land on the court or outside the service zone. The server contacts the ball after clearly tossing or releasing the ball and before the ball touches the playing surface. The server’s teammates must not prevent the opponents, through screening, from seeing the server or the path of the ball. On an opponent’s request, a player must move sideways, bend over or bend down
3. FIVB: The ball shall be hit with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released from the hand(s). Only one toss or release of the ball is allowed. Moving the ball in the hands is permitted. The server may move freely within the service zone. At the moment of the service hit or take-off for a jump service, the server must not touch the court (the end line included) or the ground outside the service zone. His/her foot may not go under the end line. After the hit, he/she may step or land outside the service zone, or inside the court. If the line moves because of the sand pushed by the server, it is not considered a fault. If the ball, after having been tossed or released by the server, lands without being touched or caught by the server, it is considered as a service. No further service attempt will be permitted
AVP: A ball that crosses the vertical plane of the net to the opponents free zone totally or partly outside the antennas may be played back within the team's hits provided that the ball crosses back to your court outside or partly outside the antennas. The opponents cannot prevent such an action. The ball is out when it crosses completely under the net, but a player can enter the opponents' court to play the ball before it crosses completely the lower space or passes outside the antennas. A ball that flies over the antenna is out, it must fly between the antennas to be in.
CBVA: Within the limits of the three-team contacts, a player may contact a ball that has crossed the net below the net (or outside the posts) in an attempt to recover a ball that has not been contacted by the opponents. The recovered ball must cross the net below the net (or outside the posts). Players may partially or completely cross the center line below the net or outside the poles, either before, during or after a legal play of the ball, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent’s play. Incidental contact with an opponent is ignored, unless such contact interferes with the opponent's opportunity to play the ball. While opposing players are not required to avoid the ball or the player, they cannot intentionally interfere with any legal attempt to play the ball on their court. If a player crosses the centerline and interferes with an opponent during the continuation of a play, it is a fault
FIVB: The ball that has crossed the net plane to the opponent’s free zone totally or partly through the external space, may be played back within the team hits, provided that the ball when played back crosses the vertical plane of the net again totally, or partly through the external space on the same side of the court. The opponent team may not prevent such action. The ball is “out” when it crosses completely the lower space under the net. A player, however, may enter the opponents’ court in order to play the ball before it passes outside the crossing space, or before it crosses completely the lower space
AVP: It is illegal to touch any part of the net or antenna. Once the player has hit the ball, they may touch the posts, ropes, or other objects outside the antennas if it does not interfere with play. If the ball hits the net and it pushes the net into an opponent, it is not a fault. Incidental contact of hair is not a fault.
CBVA: A ball touching the antenna is a fault. It is a fault for a player to net when their momentum causes them to touch the net, even after the ball hits the ground. (This is considered continuation of play). Exceptions are incidental contact of the net by a player’s hair, if a player’s hat, visor, or glasses fall off during play and then contacts the net, or when a ball is driven into the net and causes the net to touch a player, in which cases no fault is committed. Once a player has contacted the ball, the player may touch the posts, ropes or any other object outside the total length of the net, provided that it does not interfere with play.
FIVB: The ball is ”out” when it falls on the ground completely outside the boundary lines (without touching them), touches an object outside the court, or a person out of play, touches the antennae, ropes, posts or the net itself outside the side bands, crosses the vertical plane of the net either partially or totally outside the crossing space during service or during the third hit of the team, or crosses completely the lower space under the net
AVP: Within the playing area, a player can't take support from a teammate or structure/object to reach the ball, but a teammate who is about to commit a fault (touch the net or interfere with an opponent, etc.) may be stopped or held back by a teammate.
CBVA: A player is not permitted to take support from a teammate or any object in order to reach the ball. However, a player who is about to commit a fault may be stopped or held back by a teammate.
FIVB: Within the playing area, a player is not permitted to take support from a teammate or any structure/object in order to hit the ball. However, a player who is about to commit a fault (touch the net or interfere with an opponent, etc.) may be stopped or held back by a team-mate
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