Sand volleyball is not the same game as indoor volleyball. Players making the switch must learn to incorporate different skills and strategies. Hit the beach or a sand court for drills to give yourself a feel for how the game is different.
Setting Drill
The wind plays a factor when setting the ball on an outdoor sand volleyball court, making footwork and accuracy particularly important. The Volleyball Training Ground website recommends practicing with a partner, and focusing on footwork. Bend your knees and keep your hands ready at your chest. Use your legs and keep the foot opposite of the direction in which you are setting the ball forward. Take turns throwing the ball to your partner and setting the ball back to her.
Blocking Footwork
Blocking is very important on defense, since sand volleyball usually features just two players on each team. Volleyball 1 on 1 recommends practicing four different blocks: move to the line and block, move to the line and block the angle, line up in the angle and block, or line up in the angle and block the line. Repeat each block a few times before trying a different one.
Passing Drill
Use a partner and work on passing consistently and accurately, practicing as long as you need to feel comfortable. Volleyball 1 on 1 suggests softer passes that are higher in the air and farther away from the net for sand volleyball. Give your teammate enough time to react to the pass, and decide where and how to hit the shot over the net. Add defense to the drill, and get used to passing the ball to set up your teammate for the next shot.
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