How to start playing Beach Volleyball?

Question

Hey everyone

Here is the thing: I am pretty athletic but have never played sports. I am a 16 year old up and coming HS senior and I want to play beach volleyball. I have been going through the internet trying to figure out how and it hasn't really worked. My sisters played volleyball and taught me casually basic moves so I know how to bump, set, hit, serve, ect. I am 6'2" so my height is okay. My question is a). How to I begin to get professional coaching (basically, I want to perfect the moves) and b). how do I break out? Are there any academies and/or gyms that have people who can teach beach volleyball (or regular for that matter). I am really confused so any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

PS. I live in NYC, so are there any places near there? Thanks!

Answer 1

Most people start by playing indoors. The reason why players in California can play pro without ever playing indoors is because every single block of the beach has at least 5 volleyball courts and pick up games going on all day long.

Start by playing indoors in New York, or talk to your high school team's coach, get to know people at open plays around your area, ask someone you get a long with if they want to play. Here's the thing:

It is very rare for someone from the east coast to play as a pro. The problem is that the Olympic players make the sport look easy. The real fact behind it is that it takes thousands of hours of playing at a very elite level to get good enough to play like an Olympic level player. Even if you do play thousands of hours in New York, you could go to a beach in CA and look like a complete newbie to everyone there. The problem is that the competition is not that strong in the east.

I'm not trying to dissuade you, I just think you should be realistic. Get into the sport for the love of it. Play as much as you can, and if you're good enough, someone will see you and recommend you start on the track to play professionally. Parts of the Jersey shore have volleyball going on all the time. You might want to contact Nunzio from Spike League NJ (You can Google it) about places to play in Jersey if you are relatively close to Jersey.

I think the Olympics does this to many people. It looks easy, people get excited for a while, then realize just hard it is and quit in a few months. I hope you don't and as an original East Coaster, I think it would be cool to see a guy from New York as a pro. Just realize you are going to have to work very hard at it.

I equate the increased attendance at open play volleyball courts to the same thing that brings a spike in attendance at gyms after January 1st.

There are a few people that really continue visiting the gym until June, but many stop by January 14th after realizing how hard it is to work out.

I hope you continue playing volleyball and love it just like I do and don't quit when the going gets tough in September.

Answer 2

Most of what Coach Z has to say is really good info.

I'd like supplement his response, and perhaps note that if I read your question right, you're not interested in playing professional beach volleyball, but rather enjoying the sport and increasing your individual skill:

If you're in NYC, join your school's boys team for the spring.  Most PSAL schools have a boys volleyball team.  This will rapidly increase your fundamentals -- those skills will easily transfer over to your outdoor game.

If you're interested in playing beach volleyball this summer, there are still a few weeks left of the season.  There are two main beach volleyball leagues in the NYC area.  East End Volleyball (Long Island based), and Great American Volleyball (Jersey Shore based).  You can enter any of their tournaments, and begin playing beach right away.  You will need to find a partner though.  Try to find someone of a similar level maybe a little more experience, and hook up with them.  B level tournaments would probably suit you.

Summer Spike League is just about over, but the fall season's starting up.  They could certainly get you on a team for the fall.  I've been working with Spike League for a while, it's good to start with too.  Check it out at www.spikeleaguenj.com.  To be impartial, there is also a similar league in NYC:  The NY Urban Professional League.  They also have a website.  Spike League's a little less expensive, Urban might be a little more convenient for you.

There are plenty of indoor camps and clinics.  The Stevens Mens volleyball team hosts an all day indoor volleyball clinic for a very inexpensive fee (I think it's $10 for the day).  The clinic is at Tottenville High School and it's coming up soon.  Your high school coach should have further details.  Most camps are run throughout the summer, so you've missed out on most of those.  

For outdoor camps/clinics, your best bet is to play as many tournaments as possible, and get used to the beach.  There aren't any academies or camps that I know of for beach volleyball in the NYC area.  I know Chelsea Piers has indoor sand courts available year round...but they are extremely expensive.  There is occasionally some good play in Central Park too.

In terms of 'breaking out',  you gotta play club ball if you want to be recognized.  Even still, it'll be hard to 'break out' in your situation without having played any organized ball.  Keep practicing.  Hope my info helps.

Answer 3

Man I know exactly how you feel...I've been doing the same thing and it hasnt been working...

The hardest thing in my opinion is finding a partner who'll have the same goal as you..

If you find anything out plz do share with me :)