Beach Volleyballs buying guides

Are you looking to buy beach volleyball? Here we have a comprehensive guide handcrafted for you in which you will get familiarized with all the aspects of the ball. Owning a good volleyball not only elevates the playing experience of the game but also saves you from unnecessary injuries.

So, here we present all the aspects which are critical to deem about while selecting beach volleyball. But first, let us know the importance of beach volleyball.

Why should you buy beach volleyball for the outdoor game?

The lightweight and durable material allows the ball to withstand harsh environment conditions. Moreover, the light-weight beach volleyballs aid players in taking the advantage of wind speed and adjust power serve style according to it.

The durable micro synthetic fiber cover elevates its threshold and makes it a good option in the long run. As the balls have to withstand different temperature changes and harsh weather conditions, this fiber offers the best protection.

Importance of reading buying guide before making the first serve

It is an excellent strategy to be well prepared before appearing for a test. Like that, only familiarizing with all the characteristics of the balls is crucial before making the right decision. Here are three essential reasons to go through the buying guide before choosing the correct ball for yourself:

1. There are a number of options available in the market. You can easily get confused by comparing different options.
2. Beginners do not have proper knowledge or experience of the game and can easily fall into some shoddy deals. The buying guide will quickly help them to make a right and informed decision to choose the best ball.
3. Prior knowledge of every aspect of the ball can help you use it efficiently and take care of the ball properly.

In this comprehensive guide, we will help you with some relevant information you need to know before buying beach volleyball.

Let's check it out!!

A little about beach volleyball

The Beach volleyballs are specially designed to be used on the beach, which is quite different from the ball used for the court floor. However, both the balls have a round shape and eighteen rectangular-like panels made of leather. The bladder is wrapped with leather covering. You can put any colors on it according to your team's choice.

In 1947, FIVB was created in France to standardize volleyball for gameplay. With time the design of volleyball has been changed, and the modern volleyballs come with a standardized weight of 9 to 12 ounces designed with eight panels.

A contrast between beach and indoor volleyballs

There are some significant differences between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball.

1. The Court Size

Court size for beach volleyball is different from indoor volleyball. Usually, a beach court is 16m x 8m, and it does not have any attack line. The size of an indoor court is 18m x 9m. The court also includes a parallel attack line located at 3m distance from the centerline. Players who are in the back row are not allowed to cross the borderline while hitting a ball. In the case of beach court, the players have more freedom to move so they can hit the ball from anywhere on their side.

2. Beach Balls

Beach volleyballs are light and soft then indoor volleyball. Also, these balls come with a bigger size. With this appropriate design, beach volleyball can float in the air quickly. On the other hand, the indoor balls are designed with leather that look sturdy and robust. Indoor volleyballs are usually made heavier to make sure they can move quicker and hit harder.

3. Players Per Side

For beach volleyball, there is no specialized position except the left and right sides. You are allowed to play beach volleyball with doubles. The beach volleyball players are efficient enough to perform different serves precisely. Six players per team are required for indoor volleyball. All of them have a particular position. You can see several complex switches and rotations during the gameplay. Two different players are specially assigned for digging and blocking.

4. Scoring

A team has to win two sets out of three, each carrying 21 points in a beach volleyball. For the tiebreaker, the third set gives 15 points. In indoor volleyball, there are five sets, and which team scores 25 points will win a set in the game. A team needs to win three sets to win the match finally. The fifth set carries 15 points when it comes to a tiebreaker.

5. Time-outs and Substitutions

The captain of a beach volleyball team is allowed to request one time-out throughout the match. After reaching 21 points, the team gets a 30 seconds time-out for technical purposes. It is applicable only for the first two sets. In indoor volleyball, two time-outs can be requested with six substitutions. The highest duration of a time-out is 30 seconds. Also, set five does not consist of any technical time-out.

Things to deem about while selecting beach volleyballs

Sizes of balls

You can find volleyball with different sizes, and the size of volleyballs depends on the setting of gameplay. Usually, the beginners are suggested to play with lighter and smaller balls at the time of practice. Smaller balls are helpful for your firearms while learning different skills like bumping. However, you should also remember that it is better to learn how to play with a heavy ball in the court.

When a child starts to learn to play volleyball, a smaller ball will help him to get accustomed to the sound and impact of the ball. After they get used to a smaller ball, they can manage a heavy-weight, standard-sized ball efficiently.

When it comes to learning skills such as a bump, set and strike, and more, a smaller ball can be very useful. It allows both the beginners and the children to develop their skills without any severe injury. They can manage the ball efficiently. Also, they can have better controls in case of different drills. Once they learn how to handle the smaller size ball successfully, they may consider a large ball for practice.

To pave your way to become a top-rated professional player, you need to control both indoor and beach volleyballs precisely.

It is already said that there are different sizes of volleyballs available in the market. You have to choose the right one according to the setting of your gameplay. Playing volleyball in indoor courts and beaches is not the same. So, the size of beach volleyball differs from indoor balls or youth balls.

Beach volleyball

• Circumference: 26 to 27 inches
• Mass: 9.2 to 9.9 ounces
• PSI: 2.5 to 3.2 PSI

Indoor volleyball

• Circumference: 25.5 to 26.5 inches
• Mass: 9.2 to 9.9 ounces
• PSI: 4.3 to 4.6 PSI

Youth volleyball

• Circumference: 25 to 26 inches
• Mass: 9.2 to 9.9 ounces
• PSI: 4.3 PSI

Usually, the circumference and PSI of the volleyball change according to the setting, but the mass remains the same. The standard weight is between 9.2 and 9.9 ounces, which are perfect for both indoor and outdoor games. So, it is better to start with a ball with smaller bass, but once you get comfortable with the feel, you should consider a standard size ball.

Characteristics of beach volleyball

Beach volleyballs have some unique features which make them different from indoor volleyball.

1. Softness and inflation level

The PSI of a beach volleyball is quite less than a standard indoor volleyball to ensure the best performance on the sand. With a softer ball, it is easy to play on the sand. So, a more elastic beach volleyball can move smoothly on the sand, and it does not have much impact on your arms. Also, a beach volleyball is not inflated as much as a standard indoor volleyball.

2. Size

When you are choosing a beach volleyball, you should consider the size as well. Usually, the balls used in a beach volleyball game are a little larger than the standard size. A beach volleyball has a 66 to 68 centimeters circumference, where the standard indoor balls have the circumferences somewhere between 65 and 67 centimeters. It is better, to begin with, a smaller ball for your practice.

3. Weight

Though the softness and size differ, both the beach and indoor volleyballs weigh between 9.2 to 9.9 ounces. It means these balls do not have much impact on your arms, and you can practice different skills like drills, bump, etc. with less effort.

4. Sewed or glued

Commonly, glue is used in indoor volleyball. But beach volleyballs come with stitching. In a beach volleyball, several panels are stitched all together. This sewn structure makes the beach balls sturdy and durable so that they can perform well for the beach conditions.

5. Beach setting

Another vital factor is the beach setting that you must consider while choosing the right beach volleyball. If your ball is designed well, you will be able to use it anywhere you want. A beach volleyball is lighter and softer so it can move smoothly on the sand. It is also available with versatility and durability, and thus it becomes the favorite choice of the players.

6. Speed and reaction

You must look for a volleyball that has good speed and quick reaction time. It is equally applicable to both the beach and indoor volleyball. If you do not have a ball with appropriate construction, you can never achieve a higher speed. The players must be skilled enough to spike the ball harder. However, the design of the ball plays a vital role in having a better reaction time.

The material used in beach volleyballs

The quality of a volleyball directly depends on the materials used in making the ball. Inferior quality materials are not appropriate for high standard balls. Most professional organizations like FIVB approved volleyballs so that the players can play efficiently with the best quality volleyballs. A volleyball is designed with three parts that consist of different materials.

1. The outer shell: Standard-quality leather or synthetic leather is used to make the balls' outer shell. Unlike indoor volleyball, different panels are stitched together in beach volleyball. These panels are securely attached to the inner lining. The threads and holes hold the panels tightly to ensure its toughness, which is highly required for outdoor settings.
2. The core: The core or the bladder is made up of rubber, which makes the ball lightweight. Since most of the volleyballs weigh 9.2 to 9.9 ounces, the ball's core must have less weight. The lightweight aids the ball to almost float in the air. Moreover, players can practice their skills without any strain.
3. The panel: Initially, a volleyball was designed with 18 panels. But now the balls used in the Olympics or other leagues have eight panels. These panels are essential to keep the ball firm so that the players can play smoothly.

How to choose balls for kids

Kids always love to play volleyball. You can find different types of balls available in the market but have to choose carefully so that your kids can play comfortably with the volleyball.

• If you have a kid under 12, you should consider their limitations and fears before choosing a ball. You should buy a ball specially designed for the kids to make sure the kids learn how to manage a volleyball easily.
• For under 12-years old kids, you can find a lightweight ball of 7-ounces. This type of ball also has a circumference of 30.5 inches. It helps the kids to practice their skills conveniently.
• If you are buying a volleyball for over 12-years old kids, you can choose slightly larger balls. These balls come under professional guidance, so your kids can learn how to control the ball with efficiency.
• This type of ball is available with a circumference of 31 inches. Also, you can get a standard circumference range with less weight. These balls weigh between 5.5 ounces and 8.1 ounces. But the lighter design of the balls helps the kids to control the balls effectively.

Safety tips for beach volleyballs

To ensure the highest durability and longevity of your volleyballs, you must take care of the balls in a proper way. People do not give much time to care for their volleyball. Notably, players just keep their beach volleyball outside after the game is over.

Sometimes, people throw away the balls to the corner, which reduces the lifespan of the volleyballs. Some people keep their balls with dirt. Beach volleyballs get covered with sands, which causes damages to the surface of the balls. To keep your volleyball safe and clean, you should follow these simple steps given below—

• Wipe the outer surface of the ball with a piece of soft clothes. It will help to remove the dirt and debris from the ball.
• Sometimes, you may find some dirt on the ball even after wiping. In such cases, wipe the ball with a wet cloth. The damp cloth can easily clear off the debris and dirt.
• If you still find dirt on the surface, you can use detergent. Mix it with water properly at a 1 to 10 ratio. Clean the dirty spots with a soft cloth. Keep in mind that the detergent you are going to use is not strong or harsh.
• You must wash the detergent properly to make sure there is no detergent left on the ball's surface. Otherwise, it will fade the color quickly and may attract more sand and debris to the ball.
• After cleaning your ball, wipe it with a dry cloth. Do not keep it in direct sunlight, but keep it in a place with an excellent ventilation facility.
  

You should not deflate the ball while storing it because it causes wrinkles that do not go at the time of re-inflation. Try to avoid moist or cold places to store your beach volleyball.

Top FAQs

Are beach volleyballs resistant to water damage?

Beach volleyballs are typically used in outdoor conditions and have to bear harsh temperature changes and different weather conditions. Also, while playing near the beach, the balls will have to face the seawater.

So, it is crucial that the beach volleyballs are water-resistant and do not get heavy while contacting the water bodies. The synthetic microfibre makes it light and resistant to water damages. Some balls are so light that they float over the water bodies.

Can you customize the volleyball style and design?

Yes, you can easily customize the color and design of the beach volleyballs. Many companies in the market easily imprint the design and color of your choice on the balls,

Even teams representing different unions can print their logo and unique design on the volleyballs and mark their presence with style and excellent performance in the tournament.

What are the two different types of beach volleyball?

Beach volleyballs are available in two variants:

• Pro Touch: These beach volleyballs are a little dense and heavy and are suited for power strikers. These balls directly respond to the power of the strike but can be a bit harsh on the hands.
• Super Touch: These beach volleyballs are lighter and softer than the pro touch ones. They are very comfortable on the hands but need a lot of power striking to perform good strikes. These balls require quite enough power back up but can easily float and turn in the air.

Anything about different types of serves in beach volleyball?

Serve shot is the first shot played in the game and is a crucial aspect of the games. A good-quality serve shot can quickly tip the scales in your team's favor. Typically, there are types of serves:

• Topspin: The topspin shot causes the ball to suddenly drop in front of the opponent player and can be quite deceiving. This movement can make this serve quite difficult to receive as the opponent player has to bounce to collect the ball suddenly.

• Floater: Floater serve is very unpredictable. It can easily make unpredictable motions while floating in the air, making it quite confusing for the opponent player to predict its movement. This shot is easy to predict in high winds as the wind can easily tell the path of the ball that is going to follow while floating in the air

• Jump Serve: The most effective and widely used serve in beach volleyball. It incorporates both speed and power and can easily help you gain a point for your side. The jump serve includes the topspin and floater variant in it to make it even more deadly.

• Sky Ball: During bright sunlight, this serve is more effective. As in this shot, the balls fall from the sky and makes it impossible for the opponent to see and predict it due to harsh sunlight.

What are the different pass shots played in beach volleyball?

There are three general categories of pass shots which are popular in beach volleyball:

• Attack: This the final shot played by the team player. Pokey, Roll shot, and Cut Shot are quite popular in the game to gain points swiftly.

• Block: Effective blocking can easily help you counter the attacks of the opponent team. Dropping, Pulling, and Peeling help you change the momentum of the game in seconds.

• Set: In these shots, the team players try to avoid the ball from touching the ground and setting it for another teammate to perform attaching shots. Hand-set and Bump-set are quite popular shots in beach volleyball.

Why are beach volleyballs lighter and softer than the indoor balls?

The beach volleyballs are quite lighter and softer than indoor balls. The lightweight allows the balls to float easily in the air and take advantage of the weather conditions.

In a nutshell

So, in this guide, we have covered almost everything regarding the beach volleyballs. You can easily go through every aspect of the ball and make an informed decision to select the best one suited for yourself.

Now, it's time for you to conduct comprehensive research and start giving good performances in the game with the best beach volleyball under your possession.