Beach volleyball
Sand, two a side, and a score that keeps up.
Sets to 21, the third to 15. Keep your hands for the ball.
Score a gameThe point goes to whoever wins the rally.
Tap the side that won the rally: the app tracks the serve. Try it!
- Sets to 21, win by 2
- 2 sets to win
- Set 3 to 15
- Pick beach volleyball, name the two pairs, and choose who serves first.
- After each rally, tap the color that won it.
- At 2 sets, the match ends. The referee calls the score, serving pair first, and every set point.
The rules, in short.
What the FIVB official rules say, and nothing more.
- 21
To win a set
The set goes to the first pair to 21 points with a 2-point lead. At 20-20, play goes on: 22-20, 23-21, and so on.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 6.2 - 2
To win the match
The match is won with 2 sets. At one set all, set 3 is played to 15 points, still with a 2-point lead.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 - 2
Two per team
A team has two players, and only two: only those on the score sheet may play.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 - Serve
Who serves
When the receiving pair wins the rally, it gains the serve, and the player who did not serve last time serves.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 12.2.2.2 - 3
Three hits, the block included
Your pair has three hits at most to send the ball back, and the block counts as one. A fault gives the point to the other team: four hits, a caught or thrown ball, a double contact, ball out, touching the net while playing the ball, a faulty serve.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 6.1.1, 8.4, 9.1, 9.3, 11.4.3, 12.6 and 14.4.1 - 7
Switching sides
Teams switch sides every 7 points played in sets 1 and 2, and every 5 points in set 3.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 18.2.1 - 1
The time-out
One 30-second time-out per team per set. In FIVB competitions, a 30-second technical time-out is added in sets 1 and 2 once the two teams’ points add up to 21; none in the 3rd set.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 15.1 and 15.4.1 to 15.4.3
Or leave your phone in your bag.
One press per rally won, on your watch or the three buttons on your earbuds: ⏮ for pink, ⏭ for yellow. ⏯ undoes the last point.
The questions people ask.
How many sets are there in beach volleyball?
The match goes to the first to win 2 sets. Set 3, if it’s needed, is played to 15 points.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 6.3How many players are on each team in beach volleyball?
Two. Only the two players on the score sheet may play.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 4.1How do you win a set of beach volleyball?
By scoring 21 points with at least a 2-point lead. Every rally won scores a point, serving or receiving.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 6.1.3 and 6.2When do you switch sides in beach volleyball?
Every 7 points played, counting both teams, in sets 1 and 2; every 5 points in set 3. The score stays the same.
FIVB, Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rule 18.2