Are you curious how beach volleyball differs from indoor volleyball? And you might be astonished to learn how diverse the two sports are. Many observers don't actually grasp the difference between sand volleyball and indoor volleyball from the outside. However, if you're a player, there are much too many differences to keep track of. Even for an experienced volleyball player, the shift from the hard floor to the soft sand can be very challenging.
Surface
The playing field is the most evident distinction between the two sports. An indoor volleyball court is considerably harder than a beach volleyball court. The firmness of the ground allows players to jump higher and navigate more easily. Indoor play also eliminates any concerns about the weather or windy conditions! Sand volleyball, on the other hand, allows players to perform more digs and dives because the sand is much firmer than hardwood.
Balls
Indoor Volleyballs are heavier than outdoor balls because they are composed of leather. Indoor volleyball is a power sport, with heavier balls moving faster and being struck harder.
The beach volleyball balls are softer, lighter, and slightly larger than beach volleyballs. Because of their reduced weight, they float higher in the air, enabling skilled players to take advantage of the conditions.
Both indoors and outdoor volleyball balls have different parameters.
Players
Indoor volleyball is played with bigger teams, making it considerably easier to cover the court. This game is being played with six players on each team, each with their own spot. Because the participants are continually moving and rotating throughout the game, it might become confusing. The game of sand volleyball is usually played in pairs, with no predetermined positions. Since the players have to cover such a huge space while yet being limited to three hits on each side, it necessitates a high level of toughness. To win points, sand volleyball heavily relies on communication and cooperation.
Scores
The scoring system is one of the most significant variances between the two sports. Indoor volleyball games are played in five sets, each of which is worth 25 points. You need to win three of the five sets in order to win the match. They play best-of-three games in sand volleyball to see who can achieve 21 points first. The fact that each set should always be won by two points is one of the few similarities between the two scoring systems.
Court size
Indoor and beach volleyball courts are considerably distinct in size. Indoor courts are 18m by 9m in size, with a 3m attack line parallel to the centerline. When striking the ball, back row players need to stay behind this line.
There is no attack line on the beach courts, which are smaller at 16m by 8m. A player can hit the ball from any point on his or her side of the net. Try a fast lateral run in the sand to see how much speed (and breath) you lose, and you'll see why the beach court is smaller. The ball will stay alive longer on a smaller court, and rallies will be more interesting.
Clothing
Usually, beach volleyball players are dressed in sports bikinis or shorts and tank tops. This reduces the number of hiding spots for sand and accounts for the sun's heat.
Indoor volleyball players typically wear a top and volleyball shorts or spandex. Different leagues have different laws about logo wear and other details, so check with your ruling body or club before heading out to play.
Whether you choose to focus on indoor volleyball or beach volleyball, make sure you give yourself a shot. It may not come naturally at first, but through smoothing out the kinks and learning new skills, your overall performance will improve.
