FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PLAYERS

What is Club Beach?

About US
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 club indoor volleyball. Players sign up for the summer beach season with their club. Their club is responsible for helping form teams, providing instruction, uniforms and registering players for tournaments.
Players participating in the 2009 Club Beach season must play on the same club they competed for during the 2008/2009 indoor club season. If a player's club does not have a beach program they may play for another clubs beach program

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.  A player's top 3 team finishes will be used for seeding in the Club Beach Championships. 

When is the Club Beach season?

Club Beach Season
The SCVA BEACH season begins July 11 and ends October 10-11 with the Club Beach Championships.

How do players sign up to play in Club Beach?

Signing Up
All players wishing to compete in the Club Beach must register with their local 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.

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 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 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

The SCVA BEACH Beach Tour is open to boys and girls ages 10-18.

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, the Club Beach will not host co-ed competition.

Will food be available at the event?

Food
The Club Beach will not provide food at events.

How much does it cost to play?

Cost
The cost for participating in a Club Beach sanctioned club volleyball program varies from club to club. 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 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 tournaments last?

Tournament-Day Schedule
Tournaments typically start around 9:00am and end at 1pm. 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 a single game to 21 points. Playoffs finish times will vary depending on bracket size.

How does the Club Beach rankings system work?

Rankings
Club 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 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.

When and where do I need to check in?

Check-In
Upon arrival athletes will check the tournament board to find 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 Club 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
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 I 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 8:30am the day of the tournament. Registration for new teams will begin at 7:45 am. Walk-up registration will be taken based on availabiility.

When are the entry deadlines?

Entry Deadlines
Club Beach tournament pre-registration must be received one week prior to an event. 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 I have to be a member of a local volleyball club to participate?

Club Membership
Yes, to participate in the Club Beach all players must be members of a local volleyball club and play under that club’s name.  Players must compete for the same club they played on during the indoor season. 

When and how do I register?

Registration
All registration will be done though your local volleyball club. Please speak with your club director if you would like to participate in Club Beach events.

What if I have to cancel or withdraw from an event?

Withdrawing from and Event
If you cannot play in an event be sure to notify your club’s beach director ASAP so that they can let us now. 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?

Start Time
Pool play begins promptly at 9:00am. Pre-registered players should arrive on site no later than 8:15 and begin warming up at 8:30. Walk-up players should arrive by 7:45 to consult with their club director and make sure they are added to the tournament.

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. 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 Club 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.

Does each team have to have a coach?

No, each team does not have to have their own coach.  We expect each club to have at least one coach at each event for administrative purposes. 

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Contact
Please contact your club’s Beach Volleyball Director if you have any questions. If your club does not have a Beach Volleyball program ask your Club Director to start one.

What court will I 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.