# How do you get into beach volleyball? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/beach-volleyball/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-13 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* Start with casual games on public beach or park courts and a few beginner sessions, where someone can teach you the three basic touches: the dig, the set and the attack. Then join a social league or a regular pick-up group. Beach volleyball is usually played two-a-side, so you will be busy from the first rally, and in the sand you will be laughing at yourself from the first dive. Beach volleyball looks effortless on television and very different the first time you try to jump in sand. That gap is where most of the fun lives. It is a social, sunny, slightly ridiculous sport, and you can enjoy it long before you are any good. ## The game in a nutshell The [Wikipedia entry on beach volleyball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_volleyball) describes a game for two teams on a sand court divided by a net. Teams can have two to six players, but two-a-side doubles is the most widely played form and the one used at elite level. Each side is allowed up to three touches to return the ball over the net, and the court is smaller than an indoor volleyball court. It has been an Olympic sport since 1996. For beginners, the important bit is the three-touch rhythm: one person digs the ball up, the next sets it, someone sends it over. In doubles, that means you and your partner do everything, which is why you learn quickly. ## Where to start - **Public courts.** Many beaches, lidos and city parks have sand courts with nets. In summer, people turn up and play. Ask if you can join; groups are often short of a player. - **Beginner sessions.** Clubs and sports centres run introductory sessions where coaches teach the basic touches and simple drills. Highly recommended for confidence. - **Social leagues.** Many cities have recreational leagues, sometimes with mixed teams and more than two players per side, aimed at fun more than results tables. - **Holiday courts.** Seaside resorts, including plenty of Italian *lidi*, often have a court and a few willing players. Our piece on [lido culture](https://zestasy.com/wiki/lido-culture/) covers how a beach day works there. ## Basic skills to learn first - **The dig (or bump).** Arms straight, hands together, the ball bouncing off your forearms. It is how most rallies start. - **The set.** Using your fingertips above your forehead to push the ball up for a teammate. A clean hand-set takes practice, so many recreational players bump-set instead. - **The serve.** An underarm serve is perfectly fine to start with. Overarm comes later. - **The attack.** Not always a big smash; a well-placed push or a gentle shot into an empty space wins plenty of points. ## Moving on sand Sand changes everything: - **Stay low and on your toes,** ready to move, rather than flat-footed. - **Take small steps.** Big strides sink. - **Expect to be slower.** Everyone is. - **Play barefoot** on soft sand, or in sand socks if it is very hot. - **Fall freely.** Diving for the ball is half the joy, and sand is forgiving. Check the court for stones and glass before you play. ## Comfort and safety Beach volleyball usually happens in the sun. Play earlier or later in the day in hot weather, bring plenty of water, wear sun cream and a cap, and take breaks in the shade. Our guide to [exercising in the heat](https://zestasy.com/movement/exercising-in-the-heat/) covers the sensible basics. ## FAQ ### Do I need to have played indoor volleyball? No. Indoor experience helps with the touches, but many people start on the beach and never play indoors. ### Do I need special kit? Very little. A ball if you are organising, sun protection, water and clothes you can move and fall in. Many courts lend balls or groups bring their own. ### Is it a good sport for mixed groups? Yes. Social games and leagues are often mixed, and rotating partners keeps everyone involved. ### What if I keep missing the ball? Everyone does at first. Ask someone to toss easy balls to you for a few minutes; you will be surprised how quickly the dig starts to work. ## Sources - [Wikipedia: Beach volleyball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_volleyball) ## Related - [How do you join an adult sports team as a beginner?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/joining-an-adult-team/) - [Do you need to be fit before you try a new sport?](https://zestasy.com/movement/trying-a-new-sport-as-an-adult/) - [How do you keep up with your kids at the park?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/keeping-up-with-your-kids/) - [What is an Italian lido, and how does a beach day work there?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/lido-culture/) - [How do you stop worrying about looking silly when you exercise in public?](https://zestasy.com/mindset/fear-of-looking-silly/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)