Snow volleyball from “A” to “Z”

Everyone knows what volleyball is. Yet, there are many differences between its varieties. They are mostly concerned with the place where the games are held. They can be held in a stadium, on the seashore, or on the snow-covered surface. This is what we will be talking about! Snow volleyball is a variety of volleyball that takes place in winter. It requires wearing warm clothes and being in love with snowy weather. What else should you know about snow volleyball?

Requirements for the field

Events are held on a rectangular area with the following dimensions: its length is 16 meters, its width is 8 meters. The area is covered with snow. It must be at least 30 cm deep. Since this discipline is very similar to beach volleyball, there is no central line on the court. The upper edge of the net is set at a height of 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women.

Matches are played until one team wins two games. To win the game, a team must score 15 points (if the advantage over the opponent does not reach two points, the set continues until the score is 16:14, 17:15, etc.). During the game, it is possible to make two substitutions and request one 30-second time-out. After every five points, the opponents change sides of the court.

The team

According to the rules established by the European Volleyball Confederation in October 2018, snow volleyball is a game that involves two teams consisting of three players each. Moreover, it is possible to have one substitute player in the team.

All players wear tight clothing. Usually they put on thermals underneath to prevent themselves from catching a cold. Sometimes they play volleyball without gloves, while in most cases, they opt for wearing a pair of gloves. The shoes are one of the most important pieces of ammunition because they provide good traction with the snow. For this reason, many players use soccer cleats.

Ammunition

Many people believe that snow volleyball will keep them warm due to the amount of movement in this game. Players have to jump, run, constantly move their hands. However, low temperatures and high probability of falling on the snow can lead to catching a cold. Therefore, players should pay special attention to their ammunition and follow some simple recommendations.

• Make sure that you are wearing thermal underwear. It can be replaced by a T-shirt or a shirt, but in this case it is better to choose synthetic fabric.
• The next layer of clothes must be a jacket or a sweatshirt made of fleece. This layer will help the body to retain heat.
• It is desirable to wear a windbreaker or a vest as the top layer. Such clothes will protect you from wind and snow. The advantage of the vest is that it does not restrict movement.
• In order to prevent the legs from being injured, it is recommendable to wear a pair of kneepads.
• It is better to have two pairs of shoes. Each of them must be waterproof and provide reliable traction with a snowy surface.
• Another important piece of clothing to pay attention to is the hat. As it is known, it is necessary to prevent your head from feeling cold. Therefore, all players must be wearing any kind of headdress.

Rules

Snow volleyball comprises two games. If the score between the teams is equal, an additional game is assigned. To win, it is necessary to achieve a two-point advantage. The game can be extended as many times as needed to establish a gap of two points. The rule of three touches is applied in snow volleyball, which means that the players of the receiving side must return the ball to the opponent’s field, hitting it no more than three times.

Origin

Snow volleyball appeared in countries with cold climate, particularly in the United States. Then the game became popular at ski resorts. In Austria, this sport became one of the most popular disciplines. In 2008, its major center was the Wagrain resort, where competitions were organized. In 2011, the game was officially recognized by the Austrian Volleyball Federation, and in 2012, the first international tournaments were held in Germany. Teams from 9 Western European countries took part in these competitions.

In 2015, The General Assembly of the European Volleyball Confederation included the game in the competition calendar. The first official European Winter Volleyball Tournament took place in 2016. In 2017, the president of the confederation announced his intention to make snow volleyball a part of the Winter Olympics program. According to his plans, this sport is expected to be a competitive event at the 2026 Olympics. The exhibition match was organized at the 2018 Winter Games.

The game gathers more and more fans because it does not require any special equipment. For many people, it serves as a great (and budget-friendly) alternative to other winter sports.

All in all, snow volleyball is an amazing winter sport that is accessible in many parts of the world. This discipline teaches players how to work as a team. It does not require too much training, since this sport is known in almost all countries. Yet, it is better to get ready for the game in advance by choosing warm clothes and footwear.