How beach volleyball is coming back in Corona times
We have already given a few examples where and how beach volleyball has been played in recent weeks. Due to the Swedish situation, beach volleyball in Stockholm is rather a “business as usual” thing. In Berlin, official courts had been closed but in public parks beach volleyball has been widely tolerated in a “bring your own net” setting. With beach volleyball courts reopening, the discussion became more complicated and sometimes even absurd. This month, the German volleyball association (DVV) did publish a masterpiece of absurdity.
In their guidelines and transition rules, the association outlines how beach volleyball is possible in the current Corona situation. In Germany, courts are opening and training is resuming in mid-May. Compared to indoor volleyball, playing beach volleyball is perceived as less infectious since it is being played outdoors, contactless and in smaller group sizes. The transition rules differentiate between competitive, training and leisure play. All rules are based on some common principles:
- – Maximum group size is 5
- – All players confirm to know the new rules and guidelines
- – Players need to wash their hands and disinfect the ball before and after playing
- – No physical contact, particularly no high fives
- – No action close to the net, especially no blocking
- – A distance of 1-2 meters to the net and to other players has to be kept at all times
- – Perspiring players should keep even more distance
- – No service or attacking through the middle corridor
- – The usage of sports masks has to be considered
- – Socializing after the sessions in prohibited
- – Commuting to and from the venue should take place individually
The association acknowledges that competitive play under these circumstances is not a realistic option. The transition rules will be reviewed every two weeks.
A German satire show produced a hilarious video commenting on how the association is reacting to Corona. The video is in German and features Hamburg world championships silver medalist Julius Thole.
“Crazy!12 new rules, pure chaos. And everything thanks to Corona!”
How does beach volleyball look like in your area? Let us know in the comment section below!
No volleyball yet! Presuming here in Michigan, USA, it will be “verboten” for my age group (senior) for a long long time! Even though playing volleyball is what keeps us seniors from being among the “susceptible group” – because we are not overweight and we exercise regularly and eat right. Well, we used to! Now, we are locked up in our homes for almost three months.
Alyss, thanks for your comment. I have been living in Michigan myself and I am sorry to hear about the local situation. In my opinion, there shouldn’t be any prohibitions or limitations for specific (age) groups. I have always perceived the US as a country where personal rights and freedom are highly valued. So everybody should decide themselves. I hope you can be back at the court soon!