Beach Volleyball Techniques and Tactics (Part 1)
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Movement
Movement in the Sand
Learning to move effectively in the sand is the most difficult adjustment that an indoor volleyball player must make when playing beach volleyball. Often players will simply stumble or fall before they execute a particular skill. It will take at least a full year of practice (probably longer) before players get their "sand legs" - that is before their movements in the sand become efficient.
Characteristics of Beach volleyball Movements:
- Minimize displacement of sand
- Being prepared to move in all directions
- Pursuits of more than 4m are common
- Always keep the sand level
Serve Reception
Serve reception (or passing) is the most important skill in beach volleyball. Ironically, many beach players spend relatively little time practising the serve reception skills that are so important to successful sideout play. As a result, beach volleyball coaches must reinforce the importance of developing strong serve reception skills.
The two players should be approximately 6m from the net and equally spaced across the back of the court (2-3m from each sideline). Be prepared to react to the action of the serve. The direction of the wind and the type of serve (spinning or floating) will dramatically affect the trajectory of the serve. In order to facilitate the subsequent set, all passes should be a consistent height of 3-5m and a consistent location of 1-3m off the net.
Setting
Setting, one of the most complex skills in beach volleyball, involves four distinct actions: releasing, setting, calling, and covering.
Releasing
Just prior to their partner passing the serve, the setter (the player not receiving the serve) should move from their serve reception position to their partner's serve reception target (See Chapter 8). This release is accomplished by moving, under control, with a crossover step while continually watching the passer (Figure 9.1). This movement must be made under control so that the setter will be able to change directions to move toward an off-target pass. The player who simply sprints towards the passing target will have trouble changing directions should the pass be less- than-perfect.
Setting
There are two ways to set in beach volleyball: an overhand pass or a forearm pass.
The overhand pass or "hand-set"
The overhand pass or "hand-set" provides the most control and is the preferred method for setting (similar to indoor volleyball).
The forearm pass or "bump-set"
Players can be successful at beach volleyball without hand-setting; however, no player can succeed at beach volleyball without strong forearm passing or "bump- setting" skills (Figure 9.5). Executing a bump-set is necessary when a pass is either too low or off target, or strong wind conditions exist. In fact, some beach players with poor hand-setting techniques will bump-set all passes. It is crucial when bump-setting that the setter is behind not directly under the ball.
Calling the Defense
Once players have executed their set, they must immediately communicate information about their opponents' defensive strategy, or give the call, to their partner (the attacker). The correct call must be made loudly and clearly enough for the attacker to recognize the call and to alter the attack accordingly. It is important that the call be useful information for the attacker. Saying words like "Kill it", "Wipe it", and "Blocker up" do not give the attacker useful information. The call usually indicates the location on the court where a soft or "roll" shot will score or the absence of a blocker at the net. Some typical calls are: "line", cross (or angle)", or "no-one" (indicating no blocker).
Covering the Attack
After the set has been made and the correct call has been communicated the setter's next responsibility is to cover the attack. This is the time, just before the attacker's contact, that the setter must look toward the blocker to cover their partner's attack. Immediately after the attack has been completed the setter must be on the alert to pursue any ball dug directly over the net.
