Footvolley
Footvolley mixes football and beach volleyball. Two teams face each other across a net on the sand and try to make the ball land in the other half. The big difference: you may use any part of your body except your hands and arms.
Born on Copacabana
The game was created in 1965 on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro by Octavio de Moraes. At first teams had five players each. Over time the teams became smaller, and today the standard is two against two.
How it is played
Players control the ball with the chest, thighs, head and feet, and set up an attack for their partner, a little like in volleyball. In most rule sets a team may touch the ball up to three times before it goes back over the net. Points are won on every rally. A common format is one set to 18 points, or the best of three sets. Under international rules the net is about 2.2 metres high for men and 2 metres for women, although heights vary between competitions.
A sport for the beach
Footvolley is played on beaches all over the world, from Brazil to Europe and the United States. It is a great way to practise ball control, because every touch has to be clean and every mistake costs a point.
Quick facts
- Players per side2
- Born1965, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
- CourtBeach volleyball court, about 18 × 9 m
- NetAbout 2.2 m (men), 2 m (women)
- Not allowedHands and arms