Balls used for indoor volleyball and beach volleyball look very similar and somewhat have the same feel to some extent. That’s why some people are wondering whether it is Ok to use a specific beach volleyball ball in an indoor field …
Indeed, in this article I breakdown whether you can do so or not. I also address what the rules say about this …
In addition, I breakdown some interesting differences between sand and indoor balls that will help you decide when and under which circ*mstances you can use them.
Can beach volleyball be used indoors?
When it comes to the balls, beach volleyballs are actually different from indoor volleyballs. Their size is different, slightly, nothing too much, but still there is a difference.
When it comes to playing indoor volleyball with a beach call, there are couple things that can discourage you from doing so.
Indeed, there are regulations that state what the ball needs to look like and what materials it needs to be made of in order to be eligible for play.
However, in every league there are some particularities and there are different standards.
The lowest ranking leagues and the local leagues sometimes do not have things regulated at a high level, because they are often, if not 90% of them, amateur …
Leagues on the amateur level will satisfy themselves with the most basic of rules regarding the gear, while at the other side, the rules (referee) will be regulated at the high level.
In amateur leagues you could come across, here and there, a beach volleyball being used as a playing ball, but that is just for the amateur leagues.
Helpful Tip: For amateurs, there are some balls in the market that could well be used for both indoor and sand volleyball. For example, this quality volleyball ball could well be used for both disciplines and could be a great choice for amateurs.
The semi-professional leagues will usually take the rules more seriously, and will go along with the lines that are firmly established.
In semi-professional leagues you will always see an indoor volleyball being used for indoor volleyball. The rules state clearly what the ball looks like and all of its characteristics.
There is no need to talk about professional volleyball. Professional volleyball follows 100% of the rules and there is no chance that the ball that is use a beach volleyball in the court.
There is one instance where you can use a beach volleyball for indoor volleyball. The instance in question is recreational volleyball. Recreational indoor volleyball can be played with a beach volleyball and no one will stop you for doing so.
Difference between beach volleyball Ball and indoor Ball?
Size
An indoor volleyballs size ranges from 200 grams (size 3) to 280 grams (size 5). According to the size of the ball it has different dimensions, with the standardized dimensions being 25 to 26.5 inches. The size 3 is slightly smaller than 25 inches.
Beach volleyballs are usually 66 to 68 centimeters in circumference or 26 to 27 inches, making them the winner in size, when compared to an indoor volleyball.
Weight
But the overall weight is basically similar. The difference in size is related to the materials however. We will discuss that a little bit later.
The weight for a regular beach volleyball stands between 260 and 280 grams, which is the same as a standard indoor volleyball. The smaller volleyball sizes have of course different weights just as the indoor volleyball balls have.
The overall weight for a standard beach volleyball is 260 to 280 grams, depending on the materials that are used in its production.
You can learn more about how much beach volleyball balls generally weigh …
Pressure
The PSI of the indoor ball needs to be addressed also. An indoor volleyball needs to be pressurized between 4.3 and 4.6 PSI in order to suit the indoor environment.
The PSI of an outdoor/beach volleyball is drastically different than those of an indoor volleyballs, the PSI ranges between 2.5 and 3.2 PSI. The PSI is basically just the pressure of the air in a ball, nothing else.
The things an underinflated ball affects are mainly related to the gameplay and the balls velocity. If a ball is underinflated it means that it can cause bruises and that it can sting the players when they get in contact with it.
When it comes to velocity, an underinflated ball will not fly well and will be affected more because of gravity than a well inflated ball. It will not fly will, and it will cause more problems than a well inflated ball will.
Used Materials
Indoor volleyballs and beach volleyballs essentially use the same materials, but there is a difference in the production process.
The indoor volleyball is made out of composite materials, out of hexagonal tiles that are glued together, to a rubber core. The indoor volleyball differs here from a standard beach volleyball. Because the beach ball is made in a completely different way, out of the same materials.
Beach balls are usually made out of composite materials, meaning that they are made from three or more different materials (usually synthetic materials), that keep the ball water resistant and soft on touch.
You can learn more about what makes beach volleyballs waterproof …
You can find beach volleyballs that are made from leather but they are usually made for the outdoors, intended for no contact with water.
The materials that beach volleyballs are made out of are usually stitched together, and the stitches can be seen clearly on the ball…
Those stitches add additional protection against the water. The stitched parts usually have the shapes of hexagons, which are better known as panels. Those panels are stitched together.
What moves could beach ball impact indoors?
The only thing a beach volleyball can impact in an indoor amateur game is the overall feel the players have when coming in contact with the ball.
If the ball was previously used outside, it can feel a little ruff and the players might not get the same feeling as if they were using an indoor volleyball.
When it comes to other moves, like bumping, spiking, passing etc. there are little chances that the ball will impact any of them.
In the case that the players feel somewhat uncomfortable when playing with a beach volleyball ball, there is always the psychological factor that can impact the moves, nothing else.
Is beach volleyball durable enough for indoors?
The short answer to this question is yes, a beach volleyball is durable for the indoors. A beach volleyball is made for the outdoors, so it has more durability than an indoor volleyball.
The right question would be, is whether an indoor volleyball is durable enough for the outdoors?
A beach volleyball is made for the sand, which is fairly rougher than the wooden surface indoor volleyball is played on. A beach volleyball has enough strength to withstand the indoor conditions if it is brought into play.
There is one thing that needs mentioning however. It is basically impossible to see a beach volleyball being used in the indoor court, unless it is an amateur game.
So to make things are clear, a beach volleyball will and can withstand the tests of an indoor volleyball court, but it is not intended for indoor play.
An indoor volleyball would not last long in the outdoors because its pieces are glued together, while those of the beach volleyball are stitched together, making it more durable.
Now, can you use an indoor ball for beach volleyball?
Yes you can use an indoor volleyball for beach volleyball, but it carries a heavy price on the ball.
An indoor volleyball pieces are all glued together, and that makes the ball less durable in the outdoors.
The sand is a rough surface, it does not matter that it is chosen carefully for beach volleyball, the sand is still a rough surface for soft materials that are glued together.
That is why the pieces a beach volleyball is made out of are stitched together and not glued together. The stitches provide the ball with more flexibility and durability.
The flexibility is the key component when it comes to the durability of the ball. The stitches allow the ball to deal easily with the roughness of the sand, while the glue holds the hexagons firmly in place, making the ball less resilient to the outdoors.
The most basic comparison between the indoor and outdoor volleyball is that the indoor volleyball is made for the smooth wooden surface, it has a smoother shape, while the outdoor volleyball is made for the outdoors and has a more rougher surface
By surface of the ball, I mean the gaps between the stitches and the glue. The gaps between the stitches and bigger, but the sand can easily escape them, while the gaps between the glued parts are smaller, but the sand stays there very often.
Final Thoughts …
If you are going to play volleyball at a recreational level or even at an amateur level, then you probably shouldn’t worry too much about that …
This won’t make much difference. You can still enjoy the game and improve your skills regardless of the ball type you are using.
One more thing, I highly invite you to check this list of sand volleyball equipment. I think you will find it very interesting …
