Volleyball Setting-Beach Volleyball Set

In volleyball setting is a very hard part of the game for people to grasp. Then when you throw the beach volleyball set into the equation it gets even harder. You can tell if someone knows how to play volleyball by seeing one of their sets. Outdoor setting is much more gentle than indoor setting. An indoor volleyball set is illegal in beach volleyball.

What are the differences from setting a volleyball on the beach versus indoor?

The biggest difference is that in outdoor setting you can't double the ball which means the ball will not be spinning at all when it leaves your hands. Refs will sometimes notice a ball rotating and call the set bad but for the most part the ref will look at how the ball is handled to see if it's illegal or not.

Beach Volleyball Setting Tips
Open your hands wide because you are going to be grabbing the outside of the volleyball. Keep you hands, fingers, wrist and arms lose. You don't ever want stiff fingers while setting the volleyball. This is part of the sand volleyball rules that you must know in order to successfully compete. You want to let your arms cushion the ball even more than your wrists. You can actually do a clean set without moving the wrists if you bend at the elbows to absorb the ball.

Volleyball Training Drills

Volleyball training drills need to focus on a few key points.
Lets look at some sand volleyball drills that you can do to improve your game. The first thing you need to do is learn how to pass a volleyball that is served above you head. You know that beach volleyball rules are different than indoor rules and this means that you cannot set the serve. So what you need to practice is having both hands touching each other, usually just interlock the thumbs and then open the hands to allow the ball to bounce off of the palms of your hands. Have someone serve the volleyball to you a few times to get the hang of it.

The next thing you need to be aware of is that in beach volleyball tips are not allowed with an open hand like they are in indoor. You need to learn all of the sand volleyball rules if you are going to successfully make the transition to the beach.


Can you set the ball over the net?

Yes you are allowed to set the ball over the net but you have to be lined up and the ball must go directly in front or behind you. In outdoor setting you are not allowed to side set over the net. How many times do you see pros setting over the net? I've never seen it. A beach volleyball set is very different than indoor one.

Blocking Over The Net

In beach volleyball the blocker cannot contact the ball on the opposing teams side until the attacker has touched the ball. The blocker may reach over the net but must wait until the attacker contacts the ball. If the blocker touches the ball at the exact same time as the attacker while the ball is on the side of the attacker then the point goes to the attacker.