We are excited to get the 2022 season going with help from our sponsor Rehab2Perform™! With several locations across Maryland, they are sure to have one near you. Tell them BAVA sent you!

Rehab 2 Perform's™ mission is to ensure that you reduce the risk of re-injury and are empowered with the tools you need to be physically active, and achieve performance in the areas that matter to you.

A hybrid between traditional physical therapy and personal training, Rehab 2 Perform™ provides solutions to improve movement, increase physicality and help you perform in all areas of life. With an emphasis on education and physical competency, we cater to athletes of all backgrounds - from beginners and youth to professional athletes and weekend warriors alike.

HOW IS THE BEACH GAME DIFFERENT FROM INDOOR?

Click HERE for a quick video. 
Also:

• Two instead of six players on each team
• The court is smaller (26.3' x 26.3' as opposed to 30' x 30')
• The balls are different in several ways
• Outdoors you must learn to practice and play in the elements (heat, rain, wind, etc.)
   

ARE THERE DIFFERENT RULES IN BEACH?

There are many rules that are different from indoor. Some things vary slightly depending on the organization and age group, but below is a list of some of the general beach rules.

• Rally Scoring: Best 2 out of 3 games
• Two games to 21, with a third game to 15 (if necessary) 
• Block counts as a contact
• No open hand dinks/tips
• One toss per serve
• When receiving serve, players may not "set" the ball or contact the ball with finger action in an attempt to play the ball.
• Any contact with any part of the net (between the antennas) by a player's body is a violation. 
• Players handling the ball must set the ball in the direction they are facing or directly behind them (shoulders squared) when sending the ball over the net.
• Side Changes in multiples of seven (7) when the set goes to 21 or 28. Side changes in multiples of five (5) when the set goes to 15.
• Time-Outs:
  1. Each team is allowed one time-out per set.
• Active coaching is limited to time-outs and in between sets and matches. The coach may not enter the court. The interaction must take place during the time allowed when players change sides of the court and play must immediately begin after the side change.
   

IS BEACH CLUB LIKE INDOOR CLUB?

BAVA Beach is set up differently than indoor club. Indoors, you practice as a team and compete together at a set schedule of coach-registered tournaments as a full group.

In beach, practices serve as a training ground for individual players so that you can develop your skills and passion for the game. If you choose to compete in tournaments, you set up your own schedule, register yourself with a partner of your choosing, and will rarely have a coach with you. 

Additionally, in beach, coaches can't interact with you during a match as much as they do indoors. Coaches can't say or do anything during play. They may only speak to you during side changes, during timeouts, and between sets. 
 

ARE THERE TRYOUTS FOR BAVA BEACH?

No, there are no tryouts. Anyone may register, but please read the requirements carefully so that you can be train with the group best suited for your development. 
 

ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS IN COLLEGE BEACH VOLLEYBALL? IF SO, DO THEY WORK THE SAME AS INDOOR?

Yes, and no. Yes, there are scholarships possible in college beach volleyball. No, they actually work very differently from indoor volleyball. HERE is a great article explaining the differences and the divisions. 
 

HOW DOES THE BEACH RECRUITING PROCESS WORK?

Here is a link to a pretty good article, updated in 2019. However, don't really pay attention to the minimum height and weight. There are several players outside of those ranges that are absolute STUDS in collegiate and pro beach. 

http://www.jvaonline.org/blog/beach-recruiting-guidelines

Great checklists that are pretty relevant to both indoor and beach. Click to open:

Seniors

Juniors

Sophomores

Freshmen

IS IT A PROBLEM IF I MISS A SESSION?

Not for us. However, you get out what you put in. Our beach program is less formal than indoor in regards to attendance. You can come as often or as seldom as you like. If you can't make a practice, no problem. With indoor overlap, camps, and summer vacations, we are often missing players. We do ask that you contact the coaches if you are going to miss a clinic or league night, to help our staff plan for each session. Please note that there are no refunds for clinics or leagues and we do not prorate fees. 
 

WILL SESSIONS BE HELD IN BAD WEATHER?

Yes, for the most part. Practices and tournaments will only be postponed or canceled due to lightning, other dangerous conditions, or if the courts are flooded due to heavy rain. 
 

DO I REALLY NEED SUNBLOCK?

100%, YES! Sure, you are young athletes, but no, you are not invincible. Sunburn can and will happen if you don't protect yourself. It is highly advised that you bring a high SPF sunblock and re-apply at least once during practice. It's also really important to know that most of the sun's rays still come through clouds, so you can absolutely get burned on a cloudy day. Protect yourself at all times! Your skin will thank you in 30 years. 
 

WHAT FLUIDS ARE GOOD TO DRINK DURING PRACTICE/TOURNAMENTS?

• LOTS of water!
• Additionally, bring a drink that provides electrolytes. Sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, phosphate, and magnesium are all electrolytes. Many "sports drinks" provide most of these, but be careful to avoid those that contain a lot of sugar. Coconut water is an excellent source of sodium and potassium without a lot of unnecessary sugar. 
   

HOW MUCH FLUID SHOULD I BRING?

Click HERE for a great article on this. 
 

GOT IT, BUT WHAT KIND OF FLUIDS SHOULD I BRING? JUST WATER? I'VE HEARD OF GATORADE, SO IT'S THE BEST, RIGHT?
Water is essential , but you definitely need electrolytes as well. Gatorade and other sports drinks tend to have high amounts of sugar with less than optimal amounts of the necessary electrolytes. Grocery stores and some convenience stores offer better alternatives. Many are available online as well. Click HERE for a few options.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING TO PRACTICE?

• Sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes from the sun's rays and to keep sand out of your eyes. 
• You will need a towel to wipe off sand at the end of practice.
• Any medications you may need, such as migraine meds, an EpiPen, contact lens solution for rinsing, etc. 
   

WHAT KIND OF SUNGLASSES SHOULD I BUY?

Sunglasses serve two main purposes: to protect your eyes from the sun, and to keep sand and other things out of them. Choice of sunglasses is a personal choice of style and comfort. Just make sure they block 100% of the UV rays (A, B and hopefully even C). Many stores and online outlets sell sunglasses of various brands, prices and quality. Lenses should provide clarity in vision and frames should NOT be metal (metal frames could cut your face if you get hit with a ball). Higher quality sunglasses come with higher price tags, however. Invest in a good pair, preferably two, as they can last years with proper care. Always have that backup pair handy in case your main shades break. 

For the price, quality and various colors, these are a great option! Click to explore frame and lens choices:

Fuse customizable sunglasses
 

DO I NEED A PARTNER?

For practice, no. For tournaments, yes. Athletes will need to register for most tournaments with a partner. Coaches can help find partners, but we encourage families to do this on their own. 
 

ARE TOURNAMENTS REQUIRED?

All tournaments are completely optional. We encourage intermediate and advanced athletes to compete as much as they can.
 

WILL COACHES BE WITH US AT TOURNAMENTS?

Tournaments do not currently have coaches assigned since they are optional and we can't cover every regional event every weekend. If requested, a coach may be available to attend events for additional fees. Those fees depend on the location and duration of the event.

Beach volleyball allows very little coaching during matches, so it's good for players to get used to competing on their own, as well.
 

WHAT DO WE WEAR TO PLAY BEACH VOLLEYBALL?

For training, you may wear whatever is comfortable for you, provided appropriate coverage. For tournaments, there are dress code requirements (below this) for USAV events. When registering for tournaments run by other organizations, check to see if they have requirements, as well. 

When cold, consider wearing leggings or warm-up pants and a long-sleeve top. When in the rain, be sure to have moisture-wicking or water-resistant clothing (cotton t-shirts are awful in rain). Get great gear here!

We strongly recommend athletes purchase actual "sand socks", usually made from neoprene, to protect their feet from both hot sand and cold sand. Blisters and frozen toes are not fun. Search online for many variations of this product. This is just one example: Sand Socks at Dick's Sporting Goods

You can choose to wear sunglasses, hats, visors, headbands, etc. as you like. 

APPAREL REQUIREMENTS FOR USAV BEACH EVENTS

DRESS CODE/ATTIRE: Uniforms are not required. However, matching color bottoms and tops are encouraged. All athletes are REQUIRED to wear a top, for girls it must cover your midsection when standing, and bottoms such as spandex, shorts or leggings. No bikinis will be permitted for any team. Boys must wear tank tops or t-shirts that cover their midsection when standing and bottoms such as swim trunks, surf shorts, or volleyball shorts. No brief type swim trunks. This is mandatory at all USAV and CHRVA events.

 

HOW CAN I STAY UPDATED ON THE SEASON ONCE REGISTERED?

As soon as you register, please download the free SportsEngine app from your particular app store. Just before the season starts, you will receive an invitation to join the group for your program. This app allows you to conveniently view the schedule, get GPS directions to locations, receive instant messages regarding updates, and even group chat with others in the program (an excellent way to find tournament partners, carpool, etc.).
 

WHERE CAN I GET ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS REGARDING MY SPORTSENGINE ACCOUNT?

Overall account questions:
https://community.sportsengine.com/news_article/show/1006209 

Messaging questions:
https://sportngin.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/2413412-notification-settings?topic-guide=my-account