They are different enough to be considered 2 distinct sports! There are many different rules, from keeping your own score to what constitutes a double in hand setting (something indoor isn’t calling very much anymore!). It’s very important to have an experienced coach explain sand rules and techniques to an athlete over several practices before they compete in a tournament.

Yes! Sand volleyball is considered a separate sport from indoor volleyball. Although they’re both organized under USAV & HOA, athletes can play for any indoor club they want and then play for a different sand club. The seasons sometimes overlap in the spring and we work hard to accommodate everyone’s schedules.

At 785 Beach, we train juniors to play doubles sand volleyball: there are 2 athletes on each team. Yes, this is much more difficult than indoor (and a lot more fun!!).

Oh, where do we start?! There are only 2 athletes on the court in sand volleyball, so each athlete touches the ball nearly every rally and gets way more reps than indoor. For this reason, sand can be more physically challenging than indoor. They get a great conditioning workout in and are forced to develop well-rounded skills! The sand season is mostly in the off season of indoor volleyball, so it’s a fantastic way for athletes to continue practicing and getting reps between indoor seasons. Also, sand volleyball is the fastest growing sport in the NCAA and being competent in sand may help you get recruited. Need we say more?!

No! Sand volleyball is different than indoor volleyball because there are only 2 players per team, and these pairs can switch up for every tournament. It is up to the athlete (and their consistent or nonexistent partner) how committed they want to be.

785 Beach requires athletes to register by the month or season in order to encourage them to come to as many trainings as possible… and so we have consistent numbers for higher quality trainings.

No! Athletes register for monthly or seasonal memberships by the individual athlete. Trainings are group trainings - everyone practices together. If there is a partnership that wants to play together at the next tournament or at every tournament, we will accommodate them in practice so they can train together.

Coach Sky & other coaches can assist players in forming a partnership for an upcoming tournament. They do not need one for the trainings.

It can be tricky choosing a sand doubles partner! We have seen the strongest friendships and the most endearing marriages torn apart by a sand volleyball tournament (just kidding…kind of).

In reality, there are only 2 personalities on a sand doubles court - it’s important that these 2 players can vibe with each other and have complimentary strengths and weaknesses. It’s very normal for players to switch up their partners every single tournament - or on the flip side - play with the same partner for an entire season. It just depends who you’re having fun playing next to!

Sorry, not at this time. It’s very important to learn the rules of sand volleyball before playing in a tournament, so we require athletes to participate in a monthly or seasonal membership to play in our tournaments. Even if you’re a seasoned indoor player, there are many rules and customs that are different in sand volleyball.

785 Beach athletes will travel to USAV and AVP-sanctioned tournaments in other cities, but players do not need to be associated with 785 Beach to play in these other tournaments. However we believe that training with us - for whatever period of time - will set you up for better success!