Summer Olympic Sports >> Beach volleyball

ABOUT

Because of the many difficulties of playing outdoors, such as the sand, the sun and the wind, beach volleyball players must have outstanding ball skills and court speed.  Partners must be well matched or opponents will win easy points by exploiting the weaker player.

COMPETITION

In beach volleyball, matches are played best of three sets using the rally point system.  The first two sets are played to 21 points, with the final tie-breaker set being played to 15 points.  A team must win a set by two points.  There is no ceiling, so a set continues until one of the teams gains a two-point advantage.

Sydney 2000 There was a men's and women's volleyball event and a men's and women's beach volleyball event.

In volleyball, 12 men's teams of 12 players and 12 women's teams of 11 players competed.  In beach volleyball, 24 men's and 24 women's pairs competed.

Athens 2004 Volleyball at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games featured the same competitions as Sydney 2000 (men's and women's volleyball and beach volleyball), with the same number of teams participating (12 men's and 12 women's volleyball teams with 24 men's and 24 women's teams for beach volleyball).

The only significant difference in formats was that volleyball was played in one venue with three sessions per day.  Beach volleyball was played over 12 days (instead on 11) including one rest day, with two sessions per day.  Evening sessions were also held under lights.

LIST OF EVENTS

• Beach volleyball Men