Tournament Guide

 

Partnerships

Players should take ownership of their partnerships by actively reaching out and finding their own partners. This helps build confidence, communication skills, and independence in the athlete. The best ways to ask is in person, over text, instagram, or other social platforms.

 

Players can play with ANYONE– you do not need to play with a fellow Sandblazer. The only tournaments they must be with fellow Sandblazers are BVCA Club v. Club events. 

 

While it can be beneficial to stay with the same partner in order to develop stronger on-court chemistry we highly encourage switching partners between tournaments. This allows them to gain experience with different playing styles and be an adaptable well-rounded athlete.

 

Tournament Structure & Opportunities

We encourage girls to participate in as many local beach volleyball tournaments as possible. These drivable tournaments are typically held every weekend throughout the season in PA, NJ, MD, NY, VA, and DE. 

 

In most cases, Saturdays are designated for women’s divisions (Open being the most competitive and B being recreational), while Sundays are typically used for co-ed (Open - B level) and junior divisions (by age group). When competing in women’s tournaments, we encourage players to enter either the A, AA, or Open divisions, as these levels provide strong and appropriate competition. Start in A, and once you finish as the top 3 teams in A division, move up to AA, and so on until you are playing in Open. Open is considered college level/semi-professional level. 

 

Co-ed play is also highly encouraged for female players, as it offers a more aggressive playing experience. Playing co-ed exposes athletes to a higher net attack and more powerful, faster-paced hitting from male players, which challenges defensive skills, reaction time, and overall court awareness.

 

Local vs. Travel Tournaments

Local tournaments are typically held nearby on a weekly basis, making them highly accessible and ideal for consistent competition. They also help athletes develop consistency with partners, manage costs, and stay in regular competition without significant travel demands.

 

Travel tournaments tend to draw stronger and more diverse competition from multiple areas, creating a more challenging environment. This is where organizations such as USAV, AAU, BVNE, BVCA, AVP Juniors (AVP America), and p1440 become especially important, as each provides pathways through qualifiers, championships, and national-level events. Many players choose to travel in order to compete for bids and experience higher-level competition on a larger stage and exposure to college coaches/recruiting. 

 

Club vs. Pairs Tournament Formats

In beach volleyball, athletes will typically compete in two main formats: club vs. club tournaments and pairs (individual team) tournaments.

 

Pairs tournaments are the most common format in beach volleyball and are centered around individual 2v2 partnerships. Each team competes independently, and performance is based entirely on the pair’s success. This format places a strong emphasis on partnership chemistry and self-reliance, since each team is responsible for its own results. Players will find partnerships, select and register for tournaments, and be responsible for themselves. When coaches are present at tournaments, they will provide support. 

 

Club vs. club tournaments are team-based events where players compete under their club’s name as part of a larger group. Multiple pairs (typically 3 or 5) from the same club contribute to an overall team result. These events are great for building team culture and competing alongside athletes you train with regularly. This format mimics the college format of “3 across” or “5 across.” If 3 pairs are competing together then whichever club wins ⅔ matches wins the dual. If 5 pairs are competing together then whichever club with ⅗ matches wins the dual. The club will select which players attend these events, register, and determine a line up (ranking pairs 1-3 or 1-5). 

 

Coaching at Tournaments

Beach volleyball places a strong emphasis on self-coaching and player independence, more so than indoor volleyball. Because it is a 2v2 format, athletes are responsible for communicating, problem-solving, and making adjustments together on the court.

 

During junior tournaments, coaching is primarily allowed during dead ball situations. This includes between points (as long as the ball is not in play), during timeouts (when available), and between games or matches, but not during live play. In other instances, it is walk and talk only–meaning between side switches and timeouts. 

 

Regardless of which coaching format the tournament goes by, during side switches and timeouts, coaches are able to spend more time with athletes. During these breaks, we can walk with players and have more in-depth conversations.

 

Even with coaching support, athletes are expected to take ownership of their performance. Players should actively communicate with their partner, recognize patterns, and make real-time adjustments independently. The goal is to support athletes, not take over the game for them. 

 

Another big difference between indoor and beach is that teammates on the sidelines as well as parents and coaches cannot give “coaching advice.” This even means no yelling “in” or “out.” Coaches, teammates, and parents are also not allowed to debate/challenge ref teams–it is the responsibility of the players playing the match to challenge refs. 

 

Tournament Registration 

We want players to take ownership of their tournament experience by registering themselves for events. This builds independence, responsibility, and familiarity with the different organizations and systems used throughout the season.

 

Most tournaments are run through major sanctioning bodies such as USAV, AAU, AVP Juniors (AVP America), BVNE, BVCA and p1440, or through local clubs hosting weekly events GAV, EEVB, ECV, BRVA, to name a few common ones near us. Players are typically required to create a personal membership account, search for events, select the appropriate division, and complete registration.

 

When registering, athletes are responsible for entering partner information, submitting payment, and completing any required waivers. Because tournaments often fill quickly, early registration and clear communication with partners is strongly encouraged.You know you have correctly registered if it allows you to complete the registration and your team shows up on the tournament site under “divisions.”

 

For local events, registration is usually completed directly through club or event websites. While coaches can assist with guidance and questions, players are expected to actively manage and complete their own registrations.

 

Volleyball Life: https://volleyballlife.com/ is a website that publishes most tournaments, camps, clinics, etc. You can look on here for any upcoming events nationwide. 

 

Links to some Local Beach & Grass Volleyball Tournaments

 

GAV: https://gav.volleyballlife.com/events?eTypes=Tournament,Duals+Gameday,Series 

BRVA:https://volleyballlife.com/events?s=brva&eTypes=Tournament 

East End: https://eastendvolleyball.volleyballlife.com/events

ECV: https://www.eastcoastvolleyball.com (grass) 

 

National/Major Youth Beach Volleyball Organizations/Governing bodies

There are several major organizations within the beach volleyball world: AAU - Amateur Athletic Union, AVP - Association of Volleyball Professionals, BVCA - Beach Volleyball Clubs of America, BVNE - Beach Volleyball National Events, P1440, and USAV - USA Volleyball

 

If an event is sanctioned by an organization, you'll need that organization's required membership to register. You'll also earn points toward that organization's rankings and receive additional benefits, depending on the organization.

 

A membership also:

• Verifies athlete age and eligibility during event registration

• Connects athlete results to national and regional rankings

• Allows athletes to compete for bids to regional and national championship events

• Establishes consistent rules, formats, and competition standards

• May provide insurance during the event

 

You only need one membership per organization, and memberships usually last a full season. If you're not sure which one to get, the tournament page will tell you exactly what’s required during registration.

 

Let’s dive into the different organizations: 

 

USAV

As the National Governing Body for volleyball, USAV hosts highly competitive, qualification-based events.

• Known for: Strict structure and regulations

• Pathway: Regional Bid Events → National Championships

• Vibe: Most formal and competitive

 Often considered the most restrictive, but also one of the most prestigious paths

Membership Link: https://usavolleyball.org/membership/

 

AAU

A multi-sport organization that runs some of the largest beach volleyball tournaments in the country.

• Known for: Massive events (including West Coast Nationals)

• Flexibility: Fewer restrictions compared to USAV

• Exposure: Popular for club teams and recruiting

 Great for players who want big tournament experiences with more flexibility

Membership Link:  https://aau.uventex.com/events/event/334299

 

AVP America (Juniors)

The junior affiliate of the AVP professional tour, focused on growing the sport at the grassroots level.

• Known for: Largest grassroots beach volleyball network

• Structure: Partners with local clubs to host events

• Pathway: Bids to AVP America Nationals

Ideal for consistent local competition and national opportunities

Membership Link: https://members.avp.com

 

p1440

Founded by Kerri Walsh Jennings, p1440 emphasizes whole-athlete development.

• Known for: “Platform 1440” (training + competition model)

• Focus: Skill development and long-term growth

• Events: National tournaments and qualifiers

 Best suited for athletes focused on development and progression

Membership Link:  https://play.p1440foundation.org/member/levels

 

BVCA 

BVCA focuses primarily on club vs. club beach volleyball competition and college-style dual events.

• Known for:

  • Team dual formats

  • Club rankings

  • College-style competition structure

• Events are designed to mirror NCAA beach volleyball

• Provides strong recruiting exposure and team competition opportunities

• Sandblazer athletes must partner with fellow Sandblazers during BVCA events

Membership: https://bvca.volleyballlife.com/member/levels

 

BVNE

BVNE hosts large national tournaments and showcases focused heavily on recruiting exposure and high-level competition.

• Known for: Large recruiting showcases

• Many college coaches attend BVNE events

• Popular for athletes seeking college recruiting exposure

Membership: https://bvne.volleyballlife.com/member/levels

 

Key Takeaways 

• Membership: Each organization requires its own membership and tournament fees (only purchase membership once per year if you need to register for an event)

• National Championships: Players can earn bids to multiple organizations and compete in several championships each summer