Beach volleyball is one of the most unique athletic experiences in youth sports. Two athletes, alone on the sand, battle the elements and each other, with no substitutions, no bench and no timeouts for comfort. That sense of independence is part of what makes the sport beautiful, but it can also make it lonely, especially for new full-time beach athletes making the transition from the bigger, more social world of indoor volleyball.
The challenge for club directors and coaches is clear: how do you create a true team culture in a couples-centric sport? The answer lies in being intentional – about connection, about ritual and about belonging.
Start belonging before they even step on the sand
Team culture doesn’t start with the first serve of the season; it starts the moment an athlete registers. One of the easiest ways to establish a connection early is through an ‘introduction questionnaire’. Not a dry form in which data is collected, but something personal and fun, such as questions “What’s your favorite snack?” “What’s a song that gets you excited?” “Who is your favorite athlete?”
Those little questions open doors to meaningful moments. Imagine a new athlete’s first day: When he arrives, there’s a welcome basket ready with his favorite snack, a handwritten note from a returning player and maybe a small piece of team gear or sticker. That thoughtful touch says: “You belong here.” It transforms an unfamiliar environment into a community that sees them as more than just another player on the roster.
Get them up early
The first week is often the hardest for a new beach athlete: new sand, new exercises, new rhythm and often no familiar faces. That’s why it’s invaluable to “friend” each newcomer with a returning athlete who truly embodies the culture of your club. The right buddy doesn’t just show them where to warm up or where to put their bag on; they show what it looks like to compete with positivity, respect and effort. When a new athlete sees these values being lived alongside them every day, it accelerates their comfort and connection. A great buddy checks in, introduces them to others, and helps navigate everything from partner rotations to post-workout high-fives. In many ways, this simple combination can turn an uncertain first week into a new athlete’s moment of realization: “I’m part of something special here.”
The club that appears together grows together
When tournament day arrives, one of the easiest and most visible ways to build team identity is to form a club. A shared snack tent, with signage, flying flags or even just a shaded rest area with club colors turns a sea of competitors into a unified presence.
It’s amazing how much confidence and pride a young athlete can take from seeing that tent: their teammates hanging out, parents cheering on each other’s kids, everyone fueling up together. These small, physical symbols reinforce a larger message: we may play in pairs, but we show up as one team.
Many clubs go even further by encouraging families to contribute to the tent each weekend: snacks, hydration, shade and community. When your environment looks and feels like a team, athletes will act like one.
The BVCA blueprint: converting duality into team pride
For clubs fortunate enough to participate in BVCA (Beach Volleyball Clubs of America) events, you’ve seen how powerful team dynamics can be. BVCA’s format mirrors collegiate beach volleyball: clubs compete against each other in duals, where multiple pairs compete against each other and the first team to win the most matches takes the win. It’s an incredible way to turn individual competitions into a collective goal.
That structure promotes constant cheer, communication and camaraderie. Athletes don’t just play for themselves; they compete for their club. When a couple finishes their match, they rush to the sidelines to support their teammates, and every point feels shared. It’s the closest thing to a true “team” experience in the beach world, and the atmosphere is second to none.
Even if your club doesn’t have enough full-time athletes to compete regularly in BVCA events, you can bring that same energy back home. Organize mock duels in practice, divide groups into ‘squads’ that compete across multiple courts, or create mini in-house team tournaments that mimic the format. The structure encourages buy-in, leadership and pride, even on a smaller scale.
Building a team in small moments
Team culture is not in big, drastic gestures, but in the everyday details. It is the mentor couple who checks in with a new athlete after their first bad defeat. It is the coach who ends the training by asking: “What’s one thing someone did today that inspired you?” It is the group text full of encouragement for a big tournament weekend.
Even rituals like group warm-ups, shared playlists, or club dinners can make a big difference. Athletes are beginning to understand that while the scoreboard measures points, culture measures people. And perhaps most importantly, when directors and coaches publicly celebrate collective success – “Dakine sent twelve couples to the semi-finals this weekend!” rather than listing individual achievements, it reinforces that being part of the program means something beyond just personal victories.
The power of connection
When new athletes feel connected, they invest more deeply. They train harder, stay longer and carry themselves with more pride. The bonds they form with their teammates become their anchor through the inevitable highs and lows of the season.
It’s easy to think of beach volleyball as a sport of individuals, but in reality the best beach programs are made possible by teams. Teams of athletes who look out for each other, parents who support each player and coaches who consider culture as important as competition.
Whether it concerns BVCA duals, creative team building tournaments, snack tents that feel like a home base, or personal welcomes that make every athlete feel seen: the goal is the same: to turn a sport of two into a family of many. Because when athletes know they are part of something bigger, they don’t just play the game, they live it.
See more information about running a beach volleyball program.
About the author
TJ Staples brings over 20 years of extensive experience as a player in both beach and indoor volleyball, coupled with 16 years of coaching expertise. As a coach and director, TJ has helped more than 55 athletes secure Division 1 Beach Volleyball scholarships to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, including UCLA, USC, TCU, Arizona, Texas, Stanford and more. During his time as a coach and club director, he has led teams to more than 20 open level national championships in AVP, BVCA, P1440 and USAV. TJ’s club was named the nation’s top beach club for three consecutive years (2021, 2022 and 2023) and in 2023 its program made history as the first club to earn medals in every age group at a single BVCA National Event.
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