What is Indoor Beach Volleyball?
Indoor beach volleyball is a fun, competitive and social sport, played on an indoor sand court, that is enclosed with nets. The ball remains live at all times due to the ability to rebound off the nets, preventing the ball from going out of bounds.
Indoor Courts
Year Round Play
Social Sport
All Skill Levels
Game Formats
2-a-side
- Fast-paced gameplay
- Perfect for skilled players
- Maximum court time
4-a-side
- Most popular format
- Great team dynamics
- Suitable for all levels
6-a-side
- Traditional format
- Perfect for large groups
- Social atmosphere
Basic Rules Overview
Indoor beach volleyball follows similar rules to regular volleyball with a few key differences:
- The ball can be played off the nets - there are no outs
- Games are played in three 14-minute sets
- Serves must be from within 1.5m of the back right corner of the court
- Rotation of players is required to serve
- Serves are not allowed to touch any nets
- Teams cannot hit the ball straight back off a serve
Essential Skills for Indoor Beach Volleyball
Master these fundamental techniques to improve your game and enjoy indoor beach volleyball to the fullest.
Serving
Starting each rally with an effective serve can give your team an immediate advantage.
- Underhand serve - beginner friendly
- Overhand serve - more power
- Jump serve - advanced technique
Passing/Digging
The foundation of good offense is quality passing to set up your attack.
- Forearm pass (bump) - basic reception
- Overhead pass - for higher balls
- One-arm dig - for difficult balls
Setting
A good set creates attacking opportunities for your team.
- Overhead set - precise ball placement
- Bump set - when overhead isn't possible
- One-handed set - for emergency situations
Attacking
Finishing the rally with a strong attack is crucial in indoor beach volleyball.
- Spike - powerful overhead attack
- Tip/dink - soft placement shot
- Roll shot - controlled attack with arc
- Using the nets - strategic rebounds
Blocking
A well-timed block can neutralize the opponent's attack and score immediate points.
- Defensive block - deflection focus
- Offensive block - driving down
- Solo block - one-person technique
- Double block - team coordination
Rebound Rules in Indoor Beach Volleyball
One of the most unique aspects of indoor beach volleyball is the ability to play the ball off the nets.
How Rebounds Work
Unlike traditional volleyball, in indoor beach volleyball, the ball remains in play when it hits the side or back nets.
- The ball is live after hitting any net, including the roof
- Teams can use the rebound strategically to set up attacks
- The normal "three touches" rule still applies
- You cannot reach over the net to play a rebound
Strategic Advantages
Understanding rebound rules gives players a significant competitive advantage:
- Use the side nets to change attack angles
- Recover difficult balls by intentionally playing off nets
- Create unexpected plays to surprise opponents
- Extend rallies by recovering balls that would be out in regular volleyball
Side Net Rebounds
When the ball hits a side net, it remains in play and can be played by either team, as long as they have touches remaining.
Examples:
- A spike that hits the side net can still be recovered
- Players can intentionally set the ball off the side net to change direction
- The side net can be used to avoid blockers
Back Net Rebounds
The back net keeps balls in play that would normally go out of bounds, creating more extended rallies and recovery opportunities.
Examples:
- A hard-driven ball to the back of the court can be played off the back net
- Players can save difficult balls by letting them hit the back net first
- You can use the back net to set up a surprise attack
Ceiling/Roof Net Rebounds
The roof net is in play, allowing for vertical rebounds that create unique game situations not found in other volleyball variants.
Examples:
- A high set that touches the roof net is still playable
- Defensive players can use the roof to recover high spikes
- The timing changes when playing balls off the roof require practice
Learn More About IBV
Essential Skills
Master the fundamental techniques needed to excel at indoor beach volleyball.
Rebound Rules
Learn the rules for when the ball hits the net.
History of IBV
Discover how indoor beach volleyball evolved and became the sport we love today.
Ready to Experience Indoor Beach Volleyball?
Join our friendly community and discover why players love this unique sport
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