Junior Atlantic Beach Volleyball Information Center
Below you will find a listing of information to help you get started and get hooked on Beach Volleyball! Events are listed by month. Our goal is to give you a resource page to get your start in the wonderful world of junior beach volleyball. We will try and list all of the opportunities we come across in youth beach programs. As new information comes in we will update the site.
| Pictures from Events | Registration Form | ||
| Expenses involved | What Time does it start? | Host Web-Sites | Beach Wavier |
| Events for Juniors | JAB TRAVEL SCHEDULE | AAU JAB Event Flier 09 | Medical Wavier |
Youth Beach Volleyball Tournaments are being played around the world. Below you will find junior tournaments listed by month. Please feel welcome to share your pictures and positive stories about youth beach tournaments and players. We will be writing about our experience as well as yours throughout the summer.
Have a safe journey through the sands of time,
See you on the beach!
Coach 
, Junior Atlantic Beach Club Director
P. S.
The Junior Atlantic Beach Club will be touring this summer to some of the best junior events across the country. If you are interested in joining the team tour, or would like to have your junior beach event listed please contact Venesa Walker @ info@volleyball4youth.org
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Please verify dates by checking the tournament sponsors web-site. Some of the dates listed are proposed dates and may change. You should also register early for these events. The junior beach tour continues to grow and some events have limited space. These dates are potential dates and you should verify the information with the tournament director through their web site. Not all information has been verified with this web-site director. Updates will be posted as we get new information.
Cost
Tournament fees can range from $20 a team to $100 a team. Most regional one day tournaments are $30 a team. Qualifer events are usually $60 a team. These fees are for two person teams.
Time
Most events start at 9am sharp!
You should arrive for check in no later than 8:00am, and be ready for a player meeting at 8:30am.
But if you want to get a good warm up in , a good parking spot, and have time to stretch-get their at 7:30am.
Breaks/Weather
Some events will take a lunch break (or siesta time) during the peak heat wave, but don't count on it. Always check the web-site or call for updates the nights before. Weather has a big part in the outdoor game. If there is lighting at the beach, the games must wait before play can begin. Don't trust the weather channel, call the tournament hot line for updates or check the web-site. We do play in rain, heat, wind,-we usually don't close up unless we are ordered to by the lifeguards or the rain would make conditions unsafe to players. If you are playing in a two day event, before you leave the first day check in to see when you must arrive on the second day. Sometimes it's earlier and sometimes you get to sleep in!
Beach Survival Kit(Top) Sand Survivial Bag
Suncreen, suncreen, suncreen
Uumbrella big enough to shade your whole body not just your head
Rejuvenated attitude
Vison protection -sunglasses,visor, hat
Ice Chest, don't assume you can use someone elses. Bring your own to be safe.
Verification of your entry and membership card if needed
Ambition to play
Liquids-water,juice,gatorade (don't bring cafeninated drinks-they dehydrate)
Kerchief-neck cloth, bandana-to put in water/wipe-head/neck during timeouts
Incidentals-chap stick, sand socks, money,ER contact info,hair ties,sweat band
T owel for your face, towel for your body
Sand socks run about $$25-40, but 100% cotton socks work, just don't expect to wear them again after a day on the beach.
FOOD
Most players don't like to eat during a tournament. But it is important to replace the fuel that has been used, to restore the energy throughout the day. Your toughest matches are at the end of the day. It's usually the best conditioned teams that wins. Bring food you can munch on...that are easy to absorbed and have protein, and potassium. Peanut butter, bananas,juice boxes,oranges.
What not to bring;
A time schedule of when you want to leave-it's an all day event, stay to cheer on the winning teams at finals, they deserve your support. One day it could be you in the winners circle!
Don't bring your own set of rules from your home turf. Respect the rules of the tournament. Each tournament director has their own set of rules, and twist on the national language of rules. Pay attention at the morning announcements, ask questions, obey the tournament rules with respect. Make sure you are clear on what they consider a overhand pass, or a illegal set over the net. It is your responsibility to know the rules at each event, and they may differ, so ASK QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE, AT THE MEETING SO EVERYONE HEARS THE SAME RULING, this will avoid delays in the play.
Rules for Junior Beach (Top) AAU JUNIOR ATLANTIC BEACH rules
The AAU Volleyball Committee announce the following age divisions in cooperation with USA Volleyball. Athletes competing in AAU National, Regional, and District Championships can qualify for USA Elite programming, FIVB competition, America's Challenge, AAU Junior Olympic Games and the AAU Best of the Beach.
2009 Age Divisions
U18: Year Born: 1991-1992 (FIVB Youth)
U16: Year Born: 1993-1994 (AAU Junior Olympic Games)
U14: Year Born: 1995-1996 (AAU Best of the Beach)
U12: Year Born: 1997-1998
U10: Year Born: 1999-2000
Tournament Format;
Matches are now called Games, and Games are now called Sets. You will play either 1 set, 2 out of 3 sets, or even 3 out of 5 sets to complete a game. Tournament directors will announce the format at the morning meetings. It is usually based on the number of teams entered in each age group. If play is going slow, they might adjust the format in the second round. A typical set up is pool play, then bracket play. Your pool play round determines your seed for bracket play. Bracket play is usually single elimination, but sometimes they will do a losers bracket. This will give teams the chance to make a come back through the losers bracket to make it to finals.
Balls;
Unlike indoor junior events, tournament directors do not have to use a brand new ball for each tournament. For sanctioned events the organizations listed below only require that the ball be a certain type. Some tournaments require players to bring their own ball. then the teams playing can decided which ball they want to play with for that particular game. Make sure you get and your partner get a chance to warm up with the game ball for just a couple of minutes before play begins.
USAV sanction events should be playing with Spalding Ball
AAU sanction events should be playing with Tachikara Ball
I recommend you practice with the same type of ball that you will be playing with at tournaments. Some players really notice a difference. I have used and new balls available if you are interested. Make sure you are purchasing a ball that meets regulation standards. For USA competitions the ball should be 25.5 to 27 inches, weighing about 9-10oz. The inside pressure should be 2.5 to 3.2 lb/sq.in, or 0175 to 0.225 Kg/cm2. You want a ball that does not absorb humidity, such as leather,some synthetic leathers, or similar.
Overhand Passing/attacking:
One of the biggest changelles for junior players to adjust to is the overhand passing rule. A player cannot take a serve with an overhand pass (set) unless their hands are together at contact. You are allowed to pass an attack with an overhand pass(set), but not a free ball unless that set is completely clean. We recommend that juniors use the forearm pass technique for serves, and any other ball that is returned over the net that is not a hard driven ball. (Not just an overhand hit over, but a HARD DRIVEN BALL). A player can set the ball over the net if they are squared off to the location they are placing the ball. Shoulders and hips must be squared(pointing to) the direction of where the ball is going.
DINKS: Players cannot use an open hand dink to tip the ball over the net. Players must use a closed hand, or there knuckle (know mostly as the cobra poke)
Make sure you get these rules clarified at each event before you start play.
Serving:
One one toss, there is no replay in beach at any age. Players must alternate serves at side outs.
Positions:
There is no overlaying rules, players can switch positions, at any time.
Scoring:
Rallying score is most often used. Sets are usually played to 30 for 1 set, 25 for 2 out of 3 sets, and 21 for 3 out of 5 sets. Deciding games are usually to 15. Players should ALWAYS verify the score sheet and sign it before leaving the court. The referee is responsible for taking the score sheet to the tournament site check in.
Side Changes:
Side changes take place at multiples of either 5, or 7. Side changes are important when playing outdoors. You have to factor in the wind, and sun. It's very rare that a team does not have a favorite side to play on. You will find most teams choosing side over serve in the outdoor game.
Net and Cross Over Violations:
In beach a player may touch the net as long as it is not made during the action of playing the ball or interferes with the play. A player may go under the net as long as it does not interfere with the play. If the ball is driven into the net and touches a player it is not consider a net violation.
Playing Area:
Most USA junior beach tournaments are played on the same size courts as the sanctioned adult tournaments, know as the short court.
The emissions are 37'1" x 26'3".
10 years ago they were playing on what is know as the long court at 58'3" x 26'3" . International courts are52'6"x 26'3" .
Some tournament directors use antennas and some don't. If you do not have an antennae in place the whole net is usually in play.
The net height varies depending on the age division;
U12 and under division the net height is 6'6 3/4" for boys and girls.
U14 division the net height is 6'11 1/2" for boys and girls.
U16 division the net height is 7'4 1/8" for boys and girls.
U18 and up the net height is 7'4 1/8" for women and 7' 11 5/8" for men.
Boundaries;
The court is surrounded by court lines. If a ball hits the line the play is good. Even if the lines are not straight. It is the players responsibility to straighten the lines when they get altered due to a play or the wind. Get in the habit of checking the lines when you go back to serve. I have seen a lot of points won and loss due to line issues. The service line is the back line of the court. A player can serve from any where along the line. A player cannot step outside the court sidelines to serve.
For a more detail look into the rules of Beach Volleyball visit the USAV web site at www.usavolleyball.org or for international rules visit the FIVB web site at
Junior Beach Events(back to the Top)
There will be AAU sanctioned events that will qualify the winners of the U14, U16, U18 and U20 to participate in the end of the season finals such as the AAU Junior Olympic Games, the Best of the Beach, and other championship events.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games are held in Iowa in 2009, they will be in Virginia Beach in 2010!