Adapted Beach Volleyball (No Net)

Modified 2v2 beach volleyball with no net: a line of cones on the ground divides the courts and the ball must travel high over it. Students practice sets, forearm passes (bumps) and communicating with their partner.

How to play

1. Setup (3 min): 6x6 m half-courts (12x6 m total) marked with cones and a center line of cones; one pair on each side.
2. Partner contacts (6 min): 3–4 m apart, alternate sets and bumps trying to keep the ball up; count consecutive contacts.
3. High pass over the line (5 min): each pair sends the ball to the other side on a path at least 2.5 m high.
4. 2v2 games (13 min): to 11 points; each pair gets up to 3 contacts, serves are underhand from the back line and a point is won when the ball lands in the other court.
5. Rotation: after each game, winning pairs move up a court and the others move down.
6. Wrap-up (3 min): talk about the words pairs used to communicate (mine, yours).

Rules

• The ball must go high: a low ball over the line is a point for the other side.
• Communication is required: whoever plays the ball calls it out loud.
• No one steps into the other court, to avoid collisions.
• At least 3 m between courts.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: smaller court, one bounce allowed before contact and one extra contact for the pair.
• Visual impairment: a large, brightly colored ball or one with a bell, and a verbal cue from the partner before each send.
• Lower skill level: a soft or lighter ball and catching allowed on the first contact.

Learning goals

• Learn the basic rules of beach volleyball adapted to the court.
• Improve sets and bumps with high trajectories.
• Communicate and cooperate with a partner during play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 7
• cones: 40

Teacher tip

Without a net, students are tempted to hit low, hard balls, so call it from the start to keep rallies going. If your school has a sand court, use it for the real version.

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