Beach vs Indoor Volleyball

In the year 1910, on the beautiful beaches of Waikiki Hawaii, a group of friends have an idea. Their proposal-to combine indoor volleyball with a beach. At this moment, beach volleyball is born. Between the years of 1910 and 2019, beach volleyball has grown and evolved immensely. This is due to needing just three key elements to play– sand, a ball and a net.

While this might be good news for those in the coastal regions, Colorado is missing one element, a beach. Places like the Island, Play Mile High, and the Lab have combatted this problem by providing indoor facilities for beach play year round. Which makes it possible for players to take up the challenge of beach volleyball in a rocky mountain state.

Sun, sand, cold drinks, and volleyball; the recipe for a good time. It is safe to say beach volleyball is certainly fun, but if a player’s goal is to be competitive, it might be more difficult than expected. Karch Kiraly, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in both indoor and outdoor, highlights on this in an interview with Volleyball Advisors, “We play at the world's most beautiful beaches but in the world's most challenging conditions. It is not like you play one match and you go back to air conditioning. We do it all day long." Since there’s only two athletes per team, it means more court for each teammate to individually cover. An outdoor court is three feet smaller than an indoor court so it is doable. In order to be competitive at beach volleyball, there is a lot of endurance and training required.

If a player’s goal is to be well-rounded with every skill, the sand is a great place to start. Kerrie Walsh, beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist, supports this idea in a 2005 interview, expressing that, "You have so much more responsibility (on the beach). Every weakness is exposed from the get go. It's the ultimate adventure and ultimate challenge. There is so much room to cover."

Better yet, it is not a necessity in sand volleyball to be tall. Ary Dunphy, 1988 Olympic Gold Medal coach agrees. "It is not how tall you are, it is how GOOD you are." The game of beach volleyball doubles is a game where both players are forced to use multiple skills. In doubles, being tall and athletic is not all it takes to be successful. If a player can't pass well, a smart opponent will likely serve the ball to that player repeatedly, forcing them to pass.

A smaller player, many times has the advantage of speed to offset any disadvantage there might be of being a shorter athlete. Taller athletes with longer limbs, can't generate the same degree of force to be as quick as a shorter player. Holly McPeak, a retired American beach volleyball player is an inspiration to smaller beach players. As a three-time Olympian, McPeak has earned 72 career beach volleyball titles with career earnings of $1.4 million USD (Team USA). Despite McPeak being considered short for a volleyball player, at 5 feet 7 inches, she was one of the toughest players to beat on the tour. With any team sport, it is a lot more about the team and a lot less about the individual. Kerri walsh, addresses this in an interview with Volleyball Advisors, “In beach volleyball, the reality is, it’s a heck of a lot more about you and your performance, since there’s only you and your partner.” So, if a beach player takes the L, they can either look in the mirror, or maybe... look at their partner.

Lastly, beach volleyball is a game of wits rather than strength. All beach athletes want that perfect scenario, sun shining, breeze blowing, warm but not hot. The reality is, more than half of the time it will be too windy, rainy, too cold, or too hot. Athletes have to be like a chameleon, able to adjust to whatever scenario. In addition, to having the wit to adjust to different circumstances, it’s essential for a player to be strategic in where they put the ball. The game of beach is of placement not power. Endurance, consistency, self-reliance, and wit are what it takes to be a beach volleyball player. For athletes looking to step out of the gym and onto the sand, here are the best beach clubs to start at.

1. The Island

Description :If you are looking for a chill environment to learn and grow in beach volleyball this is the place to start. There are multiple leagues to get involved in. Wednesday drop in, is a great option available to all ages and skill levels. The island is a great option if you are looking to play volleyball year round and also if you are new to sand.

Who : For volleyball players looking to improve and become competitive in beach volleyball.

Where: 2233 S. Geneva St.,

Denver, CO 80247

When:

• Monday: 3:00pm-5:45pm. Drop-in

• Tuesday: 3:00pm-5:45pm. Drop-in

• Wednesday: 3:00pm-6pm. Drop-in

• Thursday: 3:00pm-5:45pm. Drop-in

How much: $7 Per person for daytime drop-in. Frequent visitors buy a prepaid punch card, pay for 8 visits ($56) and get 10 visits (savings of $14

2. The Lab

Description: Looking for some competition? Pretty confident in your sand skills? If so, the lab is the place to be for all competitive junior beach players. Even if you play indoors, sand is a great place to improve placement shots, increase endurance, and your vertical.

Who: For competitive beach players looking to play in national tournaments.

Where: The LAB South, ACES Sand Volleyball Facility, 16825 Mitchell Ave. Monument, CO 80132

The LAB, 5519 W 56th Ave Unit A, Arvada, CO, 80002

When:

• Wednesday: 3:00pm-6pm. Drop-in. The LAB south

• Sunday 9-11 am. Practice for elite beach players. The Lab, Arvada.

How much: $30 for Wednesday drop in

3. Play Mile High

Description: Denver Sand Volleyball Leagues, describe themselves as a “social” volleyball club and advise competitive players not to join their leagues. Sand leagues are a great way to stay active while playing sand volleyball and meeting new people.

Who: For those looking to have fun playing beach volleyball.

Where: Different leagues, different locations, see website for details : playmilehigh.com

When: Different times depending on league

How much: $50 for a five week season