Athletes who forget water, sunglasses, a visor, or sunscreen can be uncomfortable or even unsafe.
Sand socks are optional, but highly recommended during hot summer sessions when the sand can become scorching. A simple pair can make the difference between a great day at the beach and painful blisters.
Serious. And fun. We play a lot, emphasize fundamentals, and teach mostly through play rather than long drills. We make training competitive, with a score and a reward for winning. We encourage athletes and hold them accountable for effort.
This is not the place to goof around. The sessions are fun, but the training is serious. We use modern methods based on sports science, and our athletes have won state and national championships, college scholarships, and high-level beach volleyball opportunities.
Our system produces results. It is fun, but the fun comes from solid effort. Come ready to give your best.
Yes. Unlike indoor volleyball, we are able to keep going if you are not there. But the reason for playing American Beach VBC is fun, fun, fun. If it is not so fun that your kid wants to come, sign them up for something else this summer.
We have found that kids love to train with ABVBC. Plan to have them there as much as possible. The input determines the output. If they attend all or most sessions, they will improve a lot and have a good time doing it.
Sure. Please arrange it with us by email in advance.
At the highest level, many US Olympic coaches believe that “The Game Teaches the Game.” That applies to every level. Isolated repetitions are old-school. Modern sports science and video analysis show that many skills practiced in isolation do not transfer well to actual play.
The best use of athlete time is to play. Our games and drills are designed to maximize contacts: serves, passes, sets, hits, digs, and blocks.
Another goal is to create players who think for themselves instead of always looking to the sideline after a mistake. Many athletes are over-coached. They need more time playing. We believe in limited instruction followed by many chances to practice the skill.
Our drills are game-like, with a score, a winner and loser, and a consequence. They focus on the skill before and the skill after. Parents often like to see lots of instruction, while kids like to play. There needs to be balance, but our system is built around what develops athletes best.
Private lessons can be valuable, and we offer them. They are a good time to work on a specific skill or technique. Private lessons can work with 1 person, 2 people, or even 4.
Come. You will get over it quickly because our beach volleyball sessions are fun. If you play indoor, beach volleyball helps your indoor game.
Indoor players often specialize early. On the beach, every player plays every position and uses every skill, all game long. You never have to sit out a game, no one subs you out, and you play every point.
Most tournaments start with pool play, where you usually get at least 3 games and play every minute. Many athletes play both beach and indoor. Now that beach volleyball is an NCAA scholarship sport for women, some athletes are choosing to focus on beach year round.
Yes. You will be surprised how quickly you adjust. At first, it can feel like running in wet cement. After a few sessions, sometimes even after an hour, most players are having so much fun that they stop thinking about it.
Talk to your coach. Most coaches who have played beach volleyball strongly support playing both. Beach makes players stronger, quicker, more explosive, and more complete.
Karch Kiraly said he learned the majority of his skills playing beach. Beach teaches all 6 skills and helps indoor players become better all-around athletes.
No, but you will probably want to. Tournaments are fun. They are usually pool play, so you get a minimum of 3 games and play every point of every game with no subs.
There are tournaments every weekend through the end of September at different beaches in Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Yes. Play them all.
FIVB tournaments offer money and require players to qualify. If you have not finished playing in college, decline prize money so your NCAA or high school eligibility is not affected.
CBVA tournaments are fun and often the largest. Again, if you play in an Open where prize money is awarded, decline the prize money if eligibility matters.
AAU tournaments usually attract a higher average skill level. The top players are often the same as CBVA, but there are usually fewer intermediate or beginner teams. They are well-run and fun.
USA Beach Volleyball High Performance is the pipeline for the Olympic Team. USA Junior Beach Tour is another fun tournament series partnered with USA Volleyball.
Both, if your skills are strong enough. If you are 16 or older, you should play both. If you are 14 or 15 with good skills, play both. If you are 13 with great skills, play both, especially with a strong older partner.
In general, yes. Play, play, play. Just pay attention to over-training, overuse injuries, soreness, and sleep. Get plenty of sleep starting Thursday and Friday night.
If school is in session, make sure your schoolwork is done first.
Try different partners. It is usually best to play with several partners over the season. Do not commit to one partner for every tournament all summer. You may improve and get a chance to play with stronger partners.
A good rule is to find a partner about 3 weeks before a tournament so you are not scrambling 2 days before.
CBVA, AAU, and USA Junior Beach Tour use a September 1 cutoff date. It is the same as indoor volleyball.
The exception is USA Volleyball High Performance, which uses a calendar year.
Our club is only 10 years old and already has athletes playing professionally, All-American, and NCAA volleyball for schools including Pepperdine, UCSB, USC, UCLA, TCU, Houston Baptist, Vanguard, Long Beach State, and others.
But do not put your kid here only because you want a scholarship. Put them here because you want them to have the joy of playing beach volleyball, grow, improve, compete, and make friends.
If your main goal is a scholarship, hire a tutor. There is more money available in academic scholarships.
Yes. We will teach them to become a better beach volleyball player. Beach volleyball skills also make athletes better indoor players.
We can share which schools offer NCAA beach volleyball programs and how to get coaches to look at your athlete. The main way to earn attention is to train during the week, play tournaments on weekends, and perform well.
That said, volleyball should be fun. Your child should play because they love it. If they love it, they may put in the time to become great. Either way, they will have had a great childhood experience and a sport they can enjoy for life.
You can start beach volleyball at any age. Young kids can pass a volleyball, use a lighter youth ball, or even play with a balloon. The goal is to make the game fun early.
No. We provide balls at training sessions, and tournament directors provide the court ball at tournaments.
But having your own ball is useful. You can warm up at tournaments, play at any beach, and get more touches outside practice.
The least expensive good option is usually the white and yellow Wilson Official AVP ball from Costco. It is very similar to the white and blue Wilson Collegiate Sand ball used by the NCAA and CBVA.
Wilson Official AVP Outdoor Volleyball. Costco usually has them for about $34.
Wilson Collegiate Sand Volleyball. Almost identical to the AVP ball.
Mikasa Sports Official FIVB Volleyball.
Molten Lite Touch is a good ball for younger athletes.
A balloon works well for young kids because it keeps the game fun and easy.
Wilson AVP. It is heavier and harder on the shoulder.
Yes. Play any day it is fun. Just avoid playing too long the day before a tournament. If you are playing Saturday, Friday should be light or off.
Use common sense and talk to your doctor if you have concerns. We are not doctors. Be aware of soreness, pain, and injury.
Many athletes play a lot because the beach is easier on the body than many other surfaces. As long as it is fun and safe, play. But safety comes first.
It is the development program for the US National Team, which becomes the Olympic Team in Olympic years. It creates a pipeline of strong prospects who can develop over time.
It can be useful for players to attend at least one beach HP tryout and one indoor HP tryout each year. ABVBC is not affiliated with USA Volleyball, although our Directors, Ian Dyer and Ryan Van Rensallaer, periodically serve as coaches for both beach and indoor programs.
Developing players should learn both sides. It builds more complete skills and gives you more partner options. At higher levels, players may eventually specialize based on strengths, partner fit, and whether one player is left-handed.
No. Receiving serve with separated hands is not allowed in CBVA, AAU, or IBVL beach tournaments. It is allowed in FIVB beach tournaments, but the hand contact must be perfect. In general, even high-level pro players almost never receive serve with their hands.
The American Beach Volleyball Club t-shirts include information about New Dawn Communities. New Dawn Communities is a high school for orphans and disadvantaged children in Laikipia, Kenya, East Africa.
Our Directors have chosen New Dawn Communities as the official charity of American Beach Volleyball Club. Please visit the website and consider sponsoring a student. 100% of your donation goes directly to Laikipia, Kenya. None of your money is spent on administration or fundraising because that is paid for by US volunteers and sponsor churches.
Find out more about New Dawn