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Beach Volleyball Rules (Part 1 of 2)

15 questions on the rules of beach volleyball.

This quiz contains multiple choice questions regarding some of the most commonly discussed/argued rules in 2 on 2 beach volleyball. Keep in mind that we use the rules as set forth by the AVP and the FIVB.

Your local organizer might play by different rules. You should always ask them what rulebook governs your tournaments and leagues.

Some of the answers may surprise you... Let's see how much you know! 

Start

Question 1 of 17

1) Is it legal to hand set the ball over the net?

A

No

B

Yes, if it comes out clean. Furthermore, it does not matter whether or not the player was square so long as they were attempting to set their partner.

C

You can only set the ball over the net if you are square to the direction of the set. "Your intention", the wind or if it was an accident does not matter.

Question 2 of 17

2) When is it legal to play a first contact with your fingers?

A

Only when you send the ball back over to the other side on the first contact

B

When the attack is hard-driven or the defensive play is a "reaction" OR if it isn't hard driven and reactionary, the play is a clean set with no double contact or catch.

C

Only if the player is setting their partner for an option attack

D

Only on hard driven balls. You CANNOT receive a serve or a free (slow moving) ball with your fingers.

E

Never. Your hands must be touching to make a legal first touch on the ball.

Question 3 of 17

3) When is it legal for a player to hand set in serve receive?

A

This is illegal

B

Only if your hands are touching

C

Only if it is windy

D

It is always legal if it comes out clean

Question 4 of 17

4) If a player is standing at the net and their opponent hits the ball into the net causing the net to touch the original player, is this considered a net violation?

A

No, when the ball is driven into the net causing it to touch the player, no fault is committed

B

Depends on the speed of the ball

C

Yes, but only if the first player is blocking

Question 5 of 17

5) If the ball comes off of your opponent’s block, can you contact the ball overhead with two separated closed hands, double hammer fist style?

A

No

B

Only if you are still landing from your jump

C

Yes, if it is part of one continuous motion. Hands apart with no finger action is legal on any first contact so long as its not two separate actions.

Question 6 of 17

6)If an attacker goes up to attack the ball but the blocker pushes or pulls the attacker’s hand onto the top of the net, what is the call?

A

Net violation on the blocker

B

Interference on the blocker

C

Net violation on the attacker

D

Interference on the attacker

Question 7 of 17

7) If I pass the ball so that it goes outside of the antenna and on the other side of the net, can my partner legally pass the ball back to our side to complete the play?

A

No

B

Only if the player jumps over the net to get to the ball

C

Yes, only if the ball crosses the net on the outside of the antenna on the way back to the original side

Question 8 of 17

8) Can the server let their toss hit the ground if they are not happy with it?

A

Yes

B

Yes, if they call it while it is in the air

C

Only for a jump serve

D

No, it counts as a missed serve

Question 9 of 17

9)Can the server land inside the court after hitting a jump serve? 

A

Yes

B

No

C

Only on a topspin serve

D

Jump serves aren’t allowed in beach volleyball

Question 10 of 17

10)If a player digs an attack or plays any first touch with their platform and the ball proceeds to hit them in the face in the same motion, what is the call?

A

Double

B

Carry

C

This is legal. ANY first touch can hit two consecutive body parts provided the play is not made with finger action

D

The play is over

Question 11 of 17

11) Does a blocking contact count as one of the three legal contacts?

A

Yes, a blocking contact is counted as a team hit. Both the blocker and their teammate can legally make the next contact.

B

Yes but only if the blocking player passes the ball after the block contact

C

Yes but only if the other player passes the ball after the block contact

D

No, the team still has three contacts left

Question 12 of 17

12) Can a player pass a ball off of their own block contact?

A

No, the blocker cannot touch the ball twice

B

Yes, the first hit after the block may be executed by any player

C

Yes, only if they pass the ball back to the opposing team

Question 13 of 17

13) What happens when both teammates touch the ball at the same time?

A

It is counted as one hit and either teammate is allowed to make the next contact.

B

This is illegal. Only one player can touch the ball at one time.

C

It is legal but the team only has one hit remaining to get the ball over the net.

Question 14 of 17

14) Can the ball be passed into the net during a play, then recovered?

A

Yes, so long has the ball did not contact the antenna or any part of the net outside the antenna.

B

No, the play is over when the ball touches the net.

C

Only if it was unintentional

Question 15 of 17

15)  If a player shanks a ball out of bounds on their own side of the court, can their partner still play it?

A

No, the pass has to stay in the court

B

Yes, the ball may be retrieved from beyond the court in the free zone

C

Only if the pass is really high

D

Yes, only if the previous hit from the opponent was hard-driven

Question 16 of 17

16) For the first contact of the team, do your hands have to be touching when making a play on the ball if it touches both arms or hands?

 

(Remember, local organizers and groups may not play by the official rules. The questions and answers for this quiz are based on the Official National and International Governing Rulebooks of USAV, AVP and FIVB)

A

No. Your hands (and any other body parts for that matter) do not have to be touching to qualify as a legal first touch. But it does have to be one movement/action.

B

Yes. When making an overhand play on the ball, your hands must always be touching for it to be a legal hit.

Question 17 of 17

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A

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