Has beach volleyball at the 2022 Commonwealth Games inspired you to get involved?
You're not alone. England has experienced a surge in people playing volleyball in recent times, awakening what is a sleeping giant in this country.
Across the world volleyball is one of the most popular sports around and when you start to play, you'll find out why. Long rallies and awesome feats of athleticism make it great fun to play. It's also an excellent workout and there's a vibrant community with a warm and welcoming culture wrapped around it all.
Here in England, there are 3 recognised disciplines:
- volleyball, a game played 6 v 6 in sports halls or on grass;
- beach volleyball, the beautiful game you've seen played at Birmingham 2022;
- sitting volleyball, one of the most inclusive team sports around that sees disabled and non-disabled athletes as well as men and women play side-by-side.
Whether you're an adult or a junior, if you're raring to pick up a volleyball and join in the fun here are some of the ways you can get started:
Play at home
All you need is a ball, ideally a lightweight volleyball, to get started.
There are some cool drills (such as these demonstrated by 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sarah Pavan) you can try if you're playing solo. If there's more of you, why not take inspiration from the Poole Family's inventive ideas to create your own makeshift volleyball courts at home.
If you're a younger budding player or want to build up some more confidence first, try playing don't let the balloon touch the floor! at home. Simple to set up, lots of fun!
Club finder sessions
There's an awesome network of volleyball clubs across England ready to welcome you! Punch your postcode into our Club Finder tool to find your nearest. Make use of the drop-down menu to find clubs that offer specific activities such as sitting volleyball or junior volleyball.
Want to find out more? Visit the Get Involved section of our website.
Photo: Phil Gibbin.
