Beach ParaVolley is played on sand with much the same rules and conditions as able-bodied Beach Volleyball. There are two small differences:

1. The team is comprised of three players; and

2. There are special rules relating to time-outs for repair of prostheses.

International Rulebook –  Beach ParaVolley

Beach ParaVolley is played under the same standards as able-bodied Volleyball played with net and court size as per Olympic Volleyball.

Players are classified according to the degree of disability (A, B or C with the latter having most disability). There is a maximum of one A class player and a minimum of one C class player on the court.

Beach ParaVolley is open to ambulant athletes with a physical disability who meet the minimum disability requirements for ParaVolley.

An athlete’s disability must be permanent (either progressive or non-progressive).

Athletes with progressive physical disabilities are given a temporary classification and must be classified at each competition.

Competitors can include athletes with cerebral palsy, athletes who are amputees, athletes with limb paralysis, athletes with joint restrictions, athletes with shortened limbs, athletes with progressive illnesses such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis, etc.

In Australia, Beach ParaVolley teams of three are able to compete in official competitions against able-bodied teams of two players.

Classification systems provide the means to group together athletes with a similar level of impairment in relation to a particular sport.

The objective of classification is to ensure that the result of sport competition is determined by sport skill, rather than differences in the level of impairment or disability. In a team sport, such as Volleyball, teams are composed of a group of athletes with a set combination of classifications, thereby ensuring that a team’s overall impairment or disability level is similar. This creates a level playing field between teams as well as allowing a mix of players with varying degrees of ability to play at the one time.

Three levels of classification exist within Beach ParaVolley. They range from A to B to C.

Class A: This includes an athlete with a minimum disability level as is relative to skills and functions required to play Volleyball. Examples of players in the ‘A’ class include hand or foot amputees, neurological or other physical injury resulting in a minor level of muscular weakness, or restricted range of motion. Strict minimal disability criteria apply.

Class B: This group has more impairment of physical function than “A” class athletes. Examples of players in the ‘B’ class include below elbow or below knee amputees, moderate level of neurological damage resulting in moderate level of muscle weakness. Here a point system applies to the classification process.

Class C: This group of athletes has the greatest amount of physical impairment. Examples of players in the ‘C’ class include above elbow or above knee amputees, neurological damage resulting in severe muscle weakness. Here a point system applies to classification.

A typical Beach ParaVolley team will have a maximum of 1 “A” player on court, and the other players may be either “B” or “C”. However, it is possible to have a team comprised of only “B” and “C” players.

How Do I Get Classified?  

To get classified complete the “Get Classified Form” on Paralympics Australia’s website. 

If you have further questions on classification please contact paravolley@volleyball.org.au 

Standing Volleyball was played by disabled sportsmen long before the International Federation was founded. It has its roots in Great Britain and was originally only played by amputees. Due to the variations of amputation, a classification system was set up and players were put into one of nine categories. To encourage those with a more severe amputation to participate, a point system on court was introduced – each player received points for the degree of amputation – and 13 points was the minimal team requirement on court.

In 1984, it was decided to open up the game to allow other disability groups to take part, thereby encouraging more nations to participate. Although this initially created more classification problems, the World Organisation Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) eventually established criteria for classification, which included those players with various arm or leg disabilities. Since 2013 the WOVD has been branded as “World ParaVolley” and is responsible for the world-wide planning and development of all forms of Volleyball for people with a physical impairment – this responsibility is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee.

Development

Small international competitions have taken place since the 1960s. Yet, it was not until 1976 that Volleyball was put in the Paralympic Program in Toronto, Canada. Since the 1980s there has been regular international competition. Standing Beach Volleyball commenced around 2011 with the first World Championship for men planned for 2014 in Adelaide, Australia.