| Beach volleyball is a popular kind of sport, in which two teams, positioned on either side of a net compete with each other by trying to ground the ball on the other team’s court with their hands. Beach volleyball developed as a separate kind of sport from classical volleyball. Many similarities exist between these two kinds of sports, however there are essential differences. The most significant differences are that the team consists of two players but not of six players and the game is played on sand instead of a platform. Other differences also exist, among which:
The size of each half of the pitch in beach volleyball is 8x8m instead of 9x9m as in classical volleyball (this rule was incorporated in 2002);
Receiving the “overhead” serve (when the player receives the serve with soft hands) is prohibited in beach volleyball. It is allowed to receive the serve only with firm hands.
The block is considered touching, i.e. players have only three more touches after touching in classical volleyball whereas they are only 2 in beach volleyball.
The game is played up to 21 points. In classical volleyball, the game is played up to 25 points.
The court change is done after every seven points; this is done so that the teams are in the same conditions from external factors (sun and wind), which can change during longer intervals in changing the courts.
Signals:
One of the interesting features of beach volleyball is the use of signals for helping the partner to know what type of game tactic is selected. The signal is given behind the back by the player who is nearer to the net while serving or directly in front of blocking. The hands indicate the attacking directions – left hand for attacking to the left and right for attacking to the right. As a rule, one finger indicates blocking the “line” attack; two fingers indicate blocking the “angle” attack; closed fist means that the player will not attempt a block and an open hand means blocking the “ball”. While serving “signaling” by hand, i.e. alternately closing the fist and opening it indicates that the blocker wants his or her partner served to the player on the corresponding side of the court.
Apart from hand signals, “voice” tips are also allowed in beach volleyball. The player positioned in protection, can use them both to help the partner and for communicating his position to the partner. As a rule, these “line” and “angle” signals indicate the blocking of corresponding hit directions. Also, players can mutually agree upon other prearranged signals.
The sportsmen play barefoot on a sand court which is divided into two halves with a net.
Beach volleyball (men and female) is cultured in more than 150 countries. Beach volleyball is part of the Olympic Games, Goodwill games, World student’s games and other big international competitions.
Historical reference:
Beach volleyball was started in 1910 in Hawaii. While waiting for a good wave, members of a local surfing club often played volleyball directly on the beach. Duke Kahanamoku, a popular swimmer, Olympic champion and record breaker, was one of the most inveterate players.
Europe learned about the beach volleyball for the first time thanks to French nudists: in 1927, beach volleyball became the main entertainment on the beach in Franqueville, a place in the northwest of Paris. In due course, the game reached other European countries: first of all in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Latvia.
In 1986, beach volleyball was recognized by the FIVB (International volleyball Federation).
In 1990, a new structure the “International Council for Beach Volleyball” was formed in FIVB.
In 1992, beach volleyball was unofficially included in the Olympic Games in Barcelona. A year later, beach volleyball got official status in the Olympic games during a session of the International Olympics Committee in Monte-Carlo and in 1996, beach volleyball made its official debut in the Olympic Games with the participation of 24 men's and 18 women teams. The first Olympic champions were Americans Karch Kiraly – Kent Steffes (men) and the Brazilian pair of Jackie Silva – Sandra Pires (women). During the Olympic Games in 2000, once again the American pair succeeded in the men's category (this time, Dain Blanton and Eric Fonoimoana) and hosts, Natalie Cook and Kerri Potharst from Australia occupied first place in women’s category (24 teams each participated in women’s and men’s categories in Sydney).
From 1997, the FIVB organizes World Beach Volleyball championship once in two years. Brazilians took the world championship title in 1997, 1999 and 2003 and Argentineans won in 2001. In the women’s category, Brazilian sportswomen won the champions title thrice and in 2003, the US volleyball sportswomen won the title in 2003.
World rounds, which are organized by the Federation, are conducted in various countries of America, Europe and Asia on a serious commercial basis: Prize money in the men’s and women’s category touches the 2 million USD mark.
Competitions are organized amongst the fans and also various tournaments of class “satellite”, “Challenge” and so forth are organized.
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