Like volleyball, the object of the game is to send the ball over the net in order to ground it on the opponent’s court, and to prevent the same effort by the opponent. A team is allowed up to three touches to return the ball. The ball is put in play with a service--a hit by the server from behind the rear court boundary over the net to the opponents. The rally continues until the ball is grounded on the playing court, goes “out,” or is not returned properly.^[1]

The team winning a rally scores a point (Rally Point System). When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point and serves to start the following rally. The serving player must be alternated every time this occurs.

Originating in Southern California and Hawaii, beach volleyball has achieved worldwide popularity.