FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DIRECTORS

What is Club Beach?

About US
Southern California Club Beach organizes beach volleyball tournaments for youth boys and girls’ club volleyball players in Southern California.

How does Club Beach work?

Club Beach Structure
Club Beach is structured much like indoor Club volleyball. Players sign up for the summer beach season with their club. Their club is responsible for forming teams, providing instruction, issuing uniforms and registering players for tournaments.  Players participating in the 2009 SCVA BEACH season must play on the same club they competed with during the 2008/2009 indoor club season.

Do players have to participate in all of the tournaments?

Participation
Athletes can participate in the events of their choice, but missing tournaments will negatively affect players seeding in the Club Beach Championships.

When is the Club Beach season?

Club Beach Season
The Club Beach season runs from July through September.

How do players sign up to play in Club Beach?

Signing Up
All players wishing to compete in Club Beach must register with their indoor volleyball club. Players will pay their club a fee to participate in their beach program. Each club beach program will provide instruction, uniforms and take care of all tournament registration and fees.

If you did not compete on an indoor club team this year please check the club listing link on the Club Beach website to find a volleyball club near you.

Do I have to qualify to participate in the Club Beach?

Qualification
Anyone who registers with his or her volleyball club’s beach program may play in Club Beach tournaments. Seeding will be based on past tournament results.

Where are the tournaments?

Tournament Locations
Club Beach tries to provide tournament locations that are central to our participants.  Club Beach participants range from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Currently we have events in Long Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica and San Diego. In the future we will expand the number of tournament locations as the number of participants increases.  If you would like to nominate a beach site to become an official SCVA BEACH location please email Matt Shubin at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the name of the beach and the contact person in charge of issuing permits.

 
What divisions are there at the tournaments?

Age Divisions
18 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1990
or
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1989, and a high school student during some part of the current academic year

17 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1991

16 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1992

15 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1993

14 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1994

13 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1995

12 and under division
Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1996

Club Beach competition is open to boys and girls ages 10-18. Boys and Girls will play separately.  There is no co-ed division.

What if my partner is younger than me?

Different Aged Partners
A team may be comprised of different age participants. A team with players from different age divisions must play in the division of the oldest team member. Teams and individuals may play “up” in divisions, but may never play “down” in divisions.

Will there be co-ed divisions?

Co-Ed Divions
No, Club Beach will not host co-ed competition.

Will food be available at the event?

Food
Food is available at the Long Beach Site.  We will offer food at other sites on occasion. 

How much does it cost to play?

Cost
The cost for participating in Club Beach varies from club to club. Clubs do not have to register with Club Beach if they are already registered with the SCVA. Registration for each tournament will cost the club $40/player. Club Beach registraion fees are more expensive than other tournaments because Club Beach hires certified officials to oversee and officiate events. Most other youth tournaments do not hire officials.  We will provide court officials for playoff matches and other select matches.  A club will typically offer a couple of packages.  A typical package might include $200 for 5 tournaments, $100 for uniforms, $200 for weekly training sessions and $100 to cover administrative costs. The costs will vary per club depending on the type of uniform package, how many weekly training sessions club's organize and the number of tournaments players participate in. 

Why do we need Referees?

How long do the tournaments last?

Tournament-Day Schedule
Tournaments typically start around 9:00am and end at 2pm. Club Beach tournaments follow the same pool play format as that of indoor club. The top 2 teams from each pool will participate in single elimination playoffs, consisting of one game to 21 points. Playoffs finish times will vary depending on bracket size.

How does the SCVA BEACH rankings system work?

Rankings
SClub Beach ranking are based on a point system. Teams participate in the point tournaments in order to develop a good ranking heading into the Championships. The top 3 finishes will be used to calcluate a team's rank going into the Club Beach Championships.

Will there be medical trainers on site?

Medical Trainers
The Club Beach Tournament sites will have standard first aid items available.

What are the directions to the tournament site? How do I get there?

Tournament Directions
Go to the Tournament Directions link on the site to find the address and location for tournaments.

How do players check in?

Check-In
Upon arrival athletes will find the tournament board to see which court they are on and check the order of play. After checking the board, teams will report directly to their court. Each court will be numbered for convenience. If a team from your pool is not present by 8:30, please inform the tournament staff (they will be wearing red shirts). Club directors must inform the tournament director if any of their teams will not be participating. Club Director must notify the Tournament Director of drop-outs before 8:30 to avoid club and player penalization.

What time do SCVA BEACH tournaments start?

Start Time
Tournaments start promptly at 9:00am. All teams in the pool must check in with their court official no later than 8:30am.  If players are not there by 8:30 we may fill that teams spot with another team.

Do teams need to wear matching jerseys? Or have numbers on the jerseys?

Uniforms
Yes, we encourage teams to wear identical uniforms. Due to timing and logistical considerations, players will not be required to wear matching uniforms for the 2009 Club Beach season. Starting in the 2010 clubs must provide uniforms that adhere to Club Beach Uniform regulations. Club Beach uniform regulations follow regulations set by the FIVB. The Uniform specifications can be found on the website. All players in a club must have a unique jersey number.

What is the purpose of the uniform regulations? Why do players have to wear uniforms at all?

Why wear Uniforms?
Club Beach wants to promote a high level of professionalism. We have seen that players wearing uniforms conduct themselves with a greater sense of purpose than those without. Part of the mission of Club Beach is to promote the essence of the word “team” in beach volleyball. Uniforms provide players with the feeling that they are part of a bigger family in their club.

Girls	Boys

Can my players sign up for a tournament the day of the competition?

Walk-up Sign-ups
Players wishing to sign up the day of a tournament must do so through their club director. A club director or a registered club representative may add teams the day of a tournament. All additions must be done by no later than 8:00am the day of the tournament. Registration for new teams will begin at 8:00 am. Walk-up Registration we be taken on a first come first serve availability basis. 

When are the entry deadlines?

Entry Deadlines
Club Beach tournament entries must be received by the date indicated on the Club Beach Schedule. All walk-up entries will be based on availability.

What are the rules to the event?

Rules
Club Beach will follow the rules that govern the Olympic Games of beach volleyball. Click here to see how beach volleyball rules are different from indoor rules. 

Are there prizes for winning?

Prizes
Medals will be awarded at the Club Beach Championships to the top 3 teams in each age divison,  top combined club finish per age division and the 2009 Club Beach Cup to the top overall club.

Do players have to be a member of a local volleyball club to participate?

Club Membership
Yes, to participate in Club Beach all players must be members of a local volleyball club and play under that club’s banner. Players must compete for the same club they played on during this year's indoor season.  If a club does not participate in Club Beach then a player may compete on another club if they get approval from both directors. 

When and how do I register my players?

Registration
Registration is easy.  Just send in one Team Registration form per age division, listing teams by rank within club and a check covering the Team Registration Fees to: Club Beach, 33148 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu CA 90265. Make Checks out to the "SCVA".

Can players switch partners midseason or the morning of a tournament even if they have already registered for that tournament with another player?

Switching Partners
Players may switch partners mid-season.  Directors must process partner changes by the registration deadline for each event.

What if one of my teams can’t make a tournament?

Missing a Tournament
If one of your teams cannot play in a tournament you must notify us ASAP so that we can make adjustments. Clubs and teams that do not inform the SCVA of drops will be penalized.

What time do I need to arrive at the beach on the tournament day?

Arrival
Pool play begins promptly at 9:00am.All teams must be on the court prepared to warm up no later than 8:30am. Directors can check in to add/drop teams from 7:30am to 8:00am

What tournament format will be used for Club Beach tournaments?

Tournament Format
All qualifying tournaments will utilize single pool play format. Teams will play best two out of three games. The first two games will be to 21 and the deciding game will be to 15. Side switches will be done at 7s (when cumulative points add up to multiples of 7). Select tournaments and divisions will host playoff competition for the top two teams in each pool. Playoffs will be one game to 21. This is to ensure the pacing and completion of the tournament for all teams involved. Teams are expected to officiate and score assigned matches on their schedule. The loser of the last match in pool play must stay and officiate the first round of playoffs. After the first round, the losing team must officiate the next match on their court or assigned court before dismissal.

Is coaching allowed during SCVA BEACH tournaments?

Coaching
Passive coaching is permitted. Coaching takes place during time-outs, side changes and generally when the ball is not in play. Coaches may only have contact with their athletes at this time. Coaches may not confront the opponents or player officials assigned to matches. Team coaches must be register as an official coach with their club and defer to the assigned official (or tournament officials) when contact with their athletes is allowed.  Each team does not have to have a coach. 

How do I find out which court my teams will be playing on?

Court Assignment
The court assignments for pre-registered teams will be posted on the tournament board at 8:00am. Court Assignments for walk-up teams will be posted at 8:45am.

What paperwork do I need to provide the Club Beach?

Mandatory Paperwork

a. Team Registration form (Directors must complete one Team Resitration form per age division, listing teams by rank within club). Please include your check for payment with this form. Checks should be made payable to "SCVA". 

Additional Paperwork (only if player did not play club volleyball this year)

a. Copy of USA Volleyball medical.
b. Copy of USA Volleyball Waiver form and $45 check

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Contact
Please contact Matt Shubin at 310-383-8317 if you have any questions or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it