When someone says "beach volleyball," what are the first things that come to mind? California? Bikinis? Nice tans? This sport is about so much more than that. Beach volleyball is growing in popularity in the United States, and not just in beach communities. In fact, this is the first year that the NCAA is having an official beach volleyball championship.
Seeing as the sport is gaining popularity, I thought I would share some things that I, as a competitive beach volleyball player, think all players know and understand.
1. You will look like a human churro.
You will, inevitably, end up covered in sand. You will dive, and then you will get up looking like you were just rolled in cinnamon sugar.
2. Sand will get in all your clothes and all over everything you own.
You will get sand in your clothes, in your hair, and in all the other stuff you happened to bring with you. After tournaments, you find sand in places you didn't know sand could possibly be. Weeks after the season, there is still sand in your volleyball bag.
3. You will get awkward tan lines.
You may think you will end up with a nice even tan from playing on the beach all summer, but that is not always the case. You'll get burns in weird places and sock tans if you play with sand socks.
4. The wind is either your best friend or worst enemy.
You know exactly what I mean. We have all had those moments when the wind blows just right and our serve that looked like it was going out drops in for an ace. Of course, there are the other times when the wind blows your serve straight into the net.
5. Your partner quickly becomes one of your best friends.
If you aren't great friends with your partner, you're doing it wrong. You need chemistry on the court to make great plays and win games, and that comes from getting along off the court as well as on the court. You have to spend a lot of time together at practices and tournaments anyway, so you better learn to get along!
6. Conditioning is hard but worth it.
Did someone say burpees? Playing in the sand takes a lot more work than you would think. We have to work hard to be able to move efficiently and make it through whole days of games. But hey, we're all in great shape, so it's totally worth it.
7. Sand socks are your friend.
I learned pretty quickly that hot sand is not something fun to play on all day. Luckily, they make these special sand socks that protect your feet and give you super cute tan lines!
8. Beach and indoor are completely different games.
Let's get this straight. If you're good in indoor, it does not automatically mean you'll be a beast on the beach. In indoor, there's six of you on the floor, and everyone plays a different position. In beach, there's two of you covering the whole court and doing EVERYTHING. You have to have all the skills to succeed on the beach.
9. Your coaches know best.
Listen to your coaches. They have been playing the game longer, and they want you to succeed. They want to see you do your best (and win!).
10. Jumping in the sand is way harder than it looks.
Sand is not a hard surface. And given the laws of physics, you sink when you try to jump, and it takes a few inches off your normal vertical. This makes conditioning all the more important!
11. Communication with your partner is key.
There's only two of you out there, so you have to make sure you talk! You have to know who is responsible for the seams, the short or deep balls, and where your partner is setting the block.
12. Attitude is everything.
With only two people on the court, a negative attitude can change the whole outcome of the game. It is important to keep a smile on your face, and stay supportive of your partner!
13. You have, arguably, the greatest playing arena.
What's better than playing on the beach? You have, the sun, the sand, the ocean... Even if you're playing somewhere inland, you get to be outdoors in the sunshine.
14. Everyone knows our role models.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. Legends. Olympic gold medalists. Totally awesome players. Even if you're not a volleyball player, you probably think they're pretty cool.
15. Placement over power.
You don't have to be the hardest hitter to win the match. If you know how to place the ball and keep your opponent moving, you will win. Lines and corners are your friends!
16. The people you play with will be your second family.
Your teammates, coaches, and friends will all become a family by the end of the season. You learn to love and support each other on and off the court.
17. There is no other way you would want to spend your summer.
Beach volleyball gives you the best of everything. Time at the beach, time with friends, and time doing something you love.
This sport is truly unique and brings people together in a community of support, competition, and fun. This is why I love playing, and this is why I am proud to be a beach volleyball player.
