Association: FIVB
First Played: 1915, Hawaii
Team Members: 2
Equipment: Volleyball, Net
Field: Outdoors
Olympics Played: 1996
Description:
Beach volleyball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and this applies to all ages and levels. Beach volleyball is a game played outdoors on sand between two teams of two players. The aim of the game is to pass the ball over a net stretched in the middle of the field and knock it into the opponent's half.
History:
Beach volleyball originated in Hawaii in 1915 and began to spread to Europe in the 1930s. Competitions and tournaments became widespread in the following decades. Thus, the popularity of the sport increased by the eighties. Beach volleyball first found its place in the Olympics in 1992. During the Games, it was only included in the program as a demonstration event. However, it was accepted as an official Olympic sport in 1996. The United States and Brazil are the two most successful countries in Olympic volleyball today. The United States has won a total of 10 medals (6 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) to date, while Brazil has won 13 (3 gold, 7 silver, 3 bronze).
Court Dimensions:
The playing area is a rectangle measuring 16x8m and is surrounded by a symmetrical rectangular free zone of at least 3m width. The height of the playing area must be clear of all obstacles up to a minimum of 7m from the surface of the playing area. In FIVB World competitions, the playing area is 16x8m. It is surrounded by a free zone of at least 4m from the end lines and 5m from the side lines and must be clear of all obstacles up to a minimum of 12.5m from the playing area surface. The surface of the pitch must be as uniform and flat as possible, and must be made of smooth sand, free from stones, shells and other substances that may cause injury or damage to the players. In official international competitions, the sand must be at least 40 cm deep and must be made of rounded particles that are not over-compacted. The surface of the pitch must not pose a risk of injury to the players. Playing on a rough or slippery surface is prohibited. In FIVB World Competitions, the sand must be sieved to a reasonable size that is not coarse, and must be free from stones and dangerous particles. However, the sand must not be so fine that it sticks to the skin or penetrates it.
