Please, guys, just don't

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Beach volleyball is an Olympic discipline where strict rules and regulations apply but because it takes place on the beach (the place inherently associated with sun, fun and relaxation) those rules and regulations seem a little bendable. So, just to make sure that no-one gets out of line, we’ve compiled a list of things you should never do on a beach volleyball court.

1. Using the net as your personal back-scratcher 

When you get the urge to scratch, we know sometimes it’s hard to resist and you need it taken care of immediately. We also know that it cannot always be controlled and it’s not your fault, but if that happens on court – you have to use all your will power to resist the temptation to make the net (which is nice and holey) your personal back-scratcher. Leave the net alon, guys.

You just keep that back action above net. Photocredit: Samo Vidic

2. Streak

This is a rather ambiguous one because many sports frown upon it but that doesn’t stop exhibitionist fans who seek to bare all, for all of us, even if we don’t want to see all. This is a family-friendly sport, guys - let’s keep everything above board.

Please avert your eyes away from the awesome Evandro and Lucena to see the camera in the back, recording everything… and you know, once something is on the internet, it’s there forever. Photocredit: Mihai Stetcu

3. Impersonate a pro beach volleyball player

Would you believe that this is actually forbidden? Just in case you had any bright ideas of masquerading as Phil Dalhausser – stop right there. Firstly, you are not 2.06m tall and people will realize that you are not the Olympic-gold-medal-winning-thin-beast. So, no.

Only Dalhausser can Dalhausser. Photocredit: Dustin Snipes

4. Start a mud fight

On those sweltering summer days the first thing that comes to mind is not always the most obvious thing like taking a dip in the ocean – some people have other ways of keeping cool (and we’re not judging) but a beach volleyball court is not yours for turning into a mud bath. We all know that mud baths always incite mud fights and we just cannot have that kind of violence on court. Good thing is that we’ve already thought about all this and to ensure our crowd is always cool – we spray them with water.

Keep cool the regular splash water in your face way. Photocredit: Andreas Langreiter

5. Throw things at the players

Beach Major Series is against litter of any kind – but we also understand human nature and sometimes when humans are very angry (or lazy) and just simply have to throw something at the first beach volleyball player they see, they need to know that this is not allowed. We condemn this behavior and furthermore, this should not be done on court. Unless it’s a volleyball, and you’ve spiked it, because they’re your opponent, and their head got in the way… there was nothing you could do.

See how the lady in the audience with a water bottle is waiting to find a bin? Good on you mate. Photocredit: Jeorg Mitter

6. Start playing tennis

The sport may get a little confusing because of the net, but it is not a tennis court – so please, leave your rackets at home.

Guys employed especially to remove other sporting paraphernalia. Just joking, that’s Bailey Payne. Photocredit: Ian Witlen

7. Scream GOOOAAALLL

Again… wrong sport. If you want to scream something though, make sure it’s "AAACCCEEE".

She gets it – see how she’s screaming "Aaaaaccceee"? Photocredit: Mihai Stetcu

8. Do the chicken dance

Well actually we take this back – chances are everyone will love it and love you for it. Just get through all the security and barriers first.

Da-nah-na-na-na-dah-dah-dah-dah-clap-clap-clap-clap. Photocredit: Samo Vidic

So that rounds off our list of eight things that you should not do on the Red Bull Beach Arena – feel free to copy and paste and print out to take with you to the next tournament, all your friends will be jealous about how informed you are.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article do not represent the views of the Beach Major Series. It has been written by an independent contributor.