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Posted on: Wednesday, August 11, 2004
VOLLEYBALL
FALIRO COASTAL OLYMPIC COMPLEX
Once called "mintonette," the game now called volleyball is today played both inside on a hard surface and outside on a sandy beach surface. Both varieties originated in the United States but quickly spread worldwide.
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Beach volleyball is tied closely to popular culture, where beauty contests and beach movies brought the sport a large fan base during the 1950s and '60s. The indoor game entered the Olympics in1964 and beach volleyball was recognized in 1996.
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OLYMPIC BEACH VOLLEYBALL CENTER
Players — Teams of two compete against each other with no substitutions.
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Game — Three games maximum; the first two games are played to 21 points; if the teams are tied after two games, a third is played to 15 points. A two-point lead is needed to win all games.
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PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP STADIUM
Players — Teams of 12, with six players on the court at a time, compete against each other.
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Game — Five sets maximum; the first four sets are played to 25 points, with the set-winner leading by two points; if the teams are tied 2-2 after four sets, a fifth is played to 15 points, with a two-point difference needed to win.
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The ball
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The ball is leather or synthetic with an inflatable inner bladder. Indoor balls may be many colors; beach balls are blue, yellow and white. Weight: 9 to 10 oz., 260 to 280 g
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Net height
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• Men: 7' 115/8", 2.43 m
• Women: 7' 41/8", 2.24 m
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Sources: International Olympic Committee; Athens Olympic Committee; "Competitive Swimming Manual for Coaches and Swimmers," James E. Counsilman; "Swimming & Diving," American Red Cross; "Sports: The Complete Visual Reference," Fran'ois Fortin; International Association of Athletics Federations; Summer Games Access; Mondo spa/Mondo USA; USA Volleyball; International Volleyball Federation; "The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics," David Wallenchinsky
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