BEACH VOLLEYBALL

History

In 1895, William Morgan, a YMCA instructor in Massachusetts, developed a game that incorporated elements of basketball, tennis, baseball and handball but demanded less physical contact than basketball for a class of businessmen. Originally called mintonette, Morgan added a net — standing 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 metres) — to his newly created game. During a demonstration of the game, it was noted that the players were volleying the ball back and forth; hence the term “volleyball.” The sport has grown quickly since that time and was first contested at the 1955 Pan Am Games.

Beach volleyball dates back to Santa Monica, California in the 1920s. It was originally played on the sun-soaked sand as a recreational activity. In its early days, the game was played with six players a side, similar to indoor volleyball; but in 1930 while waiting for players to show up for a six-man game, Paul Johnson, an indoor volleyball player, decided to try playing with just the two players who were present. The game was forever changed, and the first beach volleyball world championships were held in 1976.

How it works

With power, strategy and quick reactions, two teams of two square off on an outdoor sand surface court measuring 16 metres by 8 metres (52.5 feet by 26.6 feet). In the middle of the court is a net measuring 2.43 metres (8 feet) high for men and 2.24 metres (7.4 feet) high for women. The objective of the game is to land the ball in the opposing team’s half of the court. The rally begins with a serve from the back of the court, over the net and into the receiving team’s court; the receiving team must not allow the ball to touch the ground, and they may touch the ball as many as three times before it must be hit back over the net to the other team’s side. In beach volleyball, the team winning a rally scores a point (rally point system). When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve. The serving player must be alternated every time this occurs.

Terminology

• Block

When a player blocks an opposing player by jumping at the net with arms in the air.

• Dig

A defensive shot where a player places both arms together when hitting the ball. Often used as a result of a spike from the opposing team.

• Spike

To smash the ball into the opponent’s court using an overhead motion.