Beach Volleyball

Beach Volleyball Rules

Event Details

Date: July 12-13, 2025
Registration Deadline: July 9th, 2025

Location: Caroline Street Beach, Ocean City, MD 21042

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Formats

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Beach 2’s and Beach 4’s

Beach 2’s (3 Divisions)
Division 1 - Our highest level of doubles competition
Division 2 - A step below D1 but still competitive
Division 3 - Intermediate play

Beach 4’s (4 divisions)
Division 1 - Our highest level of 4x4 competition
Division 2 - A step below D1 but still competitive
Division 3 - Intermediate play
Division 4 - Recreational play

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Rules - Beach 2's

In 2v2 beach volleyball, a team can win a set by scoring 21 points with a minimum lead of two points, except for the deciding third set which is played to 15 points. The team that serves on the previous play serves on the next, and both teams can score on a rally. The ball must be contacted with two hands at the same time (no double contact), and it cannot be caught or carried. Players can't hit the ball consecutively unless they block the ball at the net.

Scoring: Games are won by the first team to reach 21 points (with a two-point lead), except for the deciding third game, which is played to 15 points.

Rally Scoring: Rally scoring means either the serving or receiving team can score a point on each play, not just the serving team.

Serving: The team that scored the previous point serves on the next.

Hits: Each team can have a maximum of three hits to return the ball to the other side of the net.

No Consecutive Hits: A player cannot hit the ball twice in a row, unless they block the ball at the net.

Clean Contact: The ball must be hit cleanly and cannot be caught or carried.

Body Contact: The ball can only touch the hands and arms, not other body parts.

Block: A block is not considered a hit, so a blocker can make contact with the ball a second time after their block.

Double Contact: Players cannot touch the ball with two hands consecutively.

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Rules - Beach 4's

In 4v4 beach volleyball, each team has a maximum of three contacts to return the ball over the net. Players cannot hit the ball consecutively, except during or after a block. The game is played to 21 points with a two-point advantage, and the third set, if necessary, is played to 15 points with a two-point advantage

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Key Rules:
Team Contacts: Each team has a maximum of three contacts to return the ball over the net.

Consecutive Hits: A player cannot contact the ball twice in a row, unless during or after a block.

Blocking: Blocking is not a team contact, and any player can make the first contact after a
block.

Rally Scoring: Points are awarded for each rally, regardless of which team served.

Game Length: Each match lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Sets: Matches consist of 3 sets, played to 21 points with a two-point advantage, with a 25-point cap.

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Gender Restrictions: In co-ed play, there are usually gender restrictions on the court, with a maximum of two players of each gender on the court at the same time

Rotation: Teams rotate after every side out, ensuring a fair distribution of playing positions

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Important Notes

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• All teams must register by July 9th, 2025

• Part of the Summer Sports Safari™ (S3Festival™)

• Located on Caroline Street Beach, adjacent to the Ocean City boardwalk