Rules :: Beach Volleyball Tournament

Rules

<h2>Beach Volleyball Tournament Rules – May 2nd, 2026</h2>

Team Composition: Each team has 4 players on the court. At least one woman must be on the court at all times.
Substitutions: A team may have an unlimited number of substitutes. Each substitute may be subbed in once per set, ensuring the "at least one woman on court" rule is maintained.
Starting Lineup: Teams may reset/change their starting lineup before every new set.
Net Height: The net height is approximately 2.35m (standard mixed height).
The Court: The court is defined by boundary lines. These lines are considered part of the court; if the ball touches the line, it is "in."
Facilities: Matches are played on the two parallel courts. The third court is reserved for warming up and casual play.
Equipment: The referees provide two match balls. For private warm-ups, teams must use their own balls.
Authority: The referee’s decision is final.
Spirit: Fair Play is the top priority!

Standard Matches: Matches consist of 2 sets to 15 points.
No Deuce: There is no 2-point lead rule. Once a team reaches 15 points, the set ends immediately.
Side Switch: Teams switch sides between the first and second set.

Structure: 4 groups with 3 teams each.
Scoring: Teams earn one point for every set won.
Tie-breaking: If teams are tied on points after the group stage, the point difference from all played sets will determine the ranking.

Format: Matches still consist of 2 sets to 15 points (no 2-point lead rule).
Tie-breaking: If the sets are split (1:1), the team with the better point difference wins.
Golden Ball: If the point difference is also identical, a final deciding ball is played immediately after the second set. The team that won the last point of the second set serves.

Format: Played as Best-of-3 (the first team to win two sets wins the match).
Scoring: All sets are played to 15 points.
Win by Two: In the finals, the 2-point lead rule applies. A team must have at least 15 points AND a 2-point advantage to win a set.

Maximum of 3 contacts per team.
A block contact does not count as one of the three touches.
A player may not hit the ball twice in a row, except after a block contact.
Block Definition: A contact near the net above the top of the net on a ball coming from the opponent.
The ball may be played with any part of the body.
The contact must be short/clean. The ball cannot be caught, held, or thrown.
Special Rule: Unlike official beach rules, setting (overhand pass/Pritschen) is allowed during service reception and defense.

The serve must be performed from behind the baseline.
Touching the baseline during service is a fault (foot fault).
The ball may touch the net on a serve.
Attacking the Serve: It is forbidden to block or attack a serve if the ball is entirely above the top of the net. The return of a serve is only allowed if the ball is played from entirely below net height.

Net Touch: Any contact with the net during an action is a fault (applies to both attacking and defending teams).
Crossing the Center Line: Entering the opponent's space/court is only permitted if it does not interfere with the opponent's play.
Out: A ball is "out" if it lands completely outside the boundary lines.

No "Open Hand Tip" (Lob): Soft contact or "dinking" with an open hand is not allowed.
Overhand Setting: Setting the ball over the net (Pritschen) is permitted.