Beach Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines

Beach Volleyball is the NCAA’s fastest-growing sport, starting with 15 Division I programs in 2012 and nearly 140 four year collegiate programs in 2024, which means a huge influx of opportunities and scholarships for female student-athletes. Below is a brief explanation of and game plan to begin the recruiting process for girls interested in playing beach volleyball at the collegiate level. This is by no means comprehensive but should give you a good start to the process as well as some valuable information to guide your journey.

Part I: The Decision to Play

Question I: Do you want to play college Beach Volleyball?

This is a valid question for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is whether or not you can see yourself dedicating a portion of your time in college to athletics. College athletics are a lot of fun, a great bonding and networking opportunity and fantastic for your continued fitness and health. Yet, it requires a commitment, and an ability to juggle your studies with athletics. Indeed, there is a wide variety of options.

SCHOOLS OFFERING BEACH

Athletic Scholarship Opportunities

NCAA Division I

• Scholarships: Division I programs are allowed to offer up to 6 full-ride scholarships per team. These can be divided among multiple athletes, meaning partial scholarships are common.
• Opportunities: Scholarships are awarded based on athletic talent, but academic and need-based scholarships can also complement athletic awards.

NCAA Division II

• Scholarships: Division II programs can offer up to 5 full-ride scholarships per team. Similar to Division I, these can be split among several players.
• Opportunities: Athletic scholarships are complemented by academic and need-based aid.

NCAA Division III

• Scholarships: Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships. However, they often provide significant academic and need-based financial aid to student-athletes.
• Opportunities: Student-athletes in Division III are encouraged to focus on both their academic and athletic pursuits.

NAIA

• Scholarships: NAIA programs can offer up to 8 full-ride scholarships per team, but the total amount can be divided among multiple athletes.
• Opportunities: NAIA schools provide a mix of athletic, academic, and need-based scholarships. The recruiting process can be more flexible compared to NCAA programs.

NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)

• Scholarships: NJCAA schools offer varying amounts of athletic scholarships depending on the institution and region.
• Opportunities: Scholarships can cover tuition, books, and sometimes housing. NJCAA schools often serve as stepping stones for athletes aiming to transfer to 4-year institutions.

CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association)

• Scholarships: CCCAA schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
• Opportunities: Financial aid is typically provided through academic and need-based awards.

Student-Athlete Participation

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships.

If you answered yes to question 1, then your first step is to register at the NCAA Eligibility Center as soon as possible at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

Question 2: At what level (honestly) can I play at?

This question includes considering your height, vertical leap, block jump, and overall talent level. You also want to revisit the level of commitment you are looking for. As you consider different levels and college programs, you’ll want to have a vivid picture of the time expectations an athlete playing for that program has, as well as the rigors of the academic goals you have for yourself. For example, if you are looking to play at a Division 1 top twenty beach volleyball program and also intend to pursue a pre-med course of study, both typically require very high levels of discipline, effort and time commitment. Do the lab classes required for your major conflict with practice times? If so, is the school and/or coach willing to accommodate your schedule?

There is the “right fit” for every student athlete, and there are numerous outlets to play volleyball through college and beyond which include:

NCAA Division 1: Requires a 12 month commitment to volleyball, year-round, including weight training, playing beach volleyball both in and beyond the official season, travel, etc. Each Division 1 program has a maximum of 6 full scholarships (which can be broken up into component parts), which are used each year. Each team can only have 14 athletes on scholarship money in any year.

Division I has scholarships available based on Equivalencies – meaning schools within Div. 1 can spread money allotted to their scholarship pool depending on need, giving a percentage to each athlete, rather than allocating a full scholarship.

Below are some guidelines to help you determine where your skills and abilities may be most comparable. Having candid conversations with your coaches are also very helpful. These are guidelines, but ultimately the decision to pursue lies within:

*** Remember – there are many outliers out there-with skills and talent that can sometimes put an athlete in the conversation- so don’t be discouraged- however these are the median metrics for each level). ***

DI Tier 1 (Upper level) Candidate:

Club Experience:

• Extensive National level beach club experience, 5+ years
• High placement at National Tournaments
  • BVCA Championships, USAHP, AAU JO’s, Women’s Opens, AVP, BVCA Club Challenge, Etc.
• All-American, All-Tournament recognition

The average characteristics of a top tier beach athlete are below:

• Height (5’8″-6’4″)
• Avg. Weight 140 lbs
• Block Jump 9’4″+
• Approach Jump 9’10″+

DI Tier 2 (Mid-Lower level) Candidate:

Club Experience:

• National level club experience, 3+ years or extensive club experience outside the national level (5+ years).
• National Tournament Attendance
• National level club experience, 3+ years or extensive club experience outside the national level (5+ years).

The average characteristics of a DI Tier 2 beach athlete are below:

Blocker:

• Height (5’10”-6’3″)
• Block Jump 9’3″
• Approach Jump 9’9″+

Defender:

• Height (5’7″-6’0″)
• Approach Jump 9’7″

NCAA Division II: Similar to Div. 1, Div II has scholarships available based on Equivalencies – meaning Div. II schools can spread money allotted to their scholarship pool depending on need, giving a percentage to each girl rather than allocating a full scholarship. I.e. Coaches can split up the scholarships any way they see fit.

DII Tier 1 (Upper level) Candidate:

Blocker:

• Height (5’9″-6’2″)
• Block Jump 9’4″
• Approach Jump 9’8″+

Defender:

• Height (5’6″-5’10”)
• Approach Jump 9’2″+

Special Note: Many upper level DII programs are highly competitive and would be equal to a mid-lower level DI program.

NCAA Division 3: NCAA Division III is a great venue for collegiate beach volleyball, is very competitive, has numerous ways to help student athletes in the admissions process, as well as financially and comprises many of the top academic schools in the country.

DIII Candidate:

Blocker:

• Height (5’9″-6’1″)
• Block Jump 9’2″
• Approach Jump 9’6″+

NAIA: NAIA is an Association of Independent Schools with its own clearinghouse. NAIA has scholarships and is also based on equivalencies.

For a list of collegiate beach programs click HERE.

Part II: Academics

What are your grades and SAT/ACT?

Based upon your grades and standardized test scores you can effectively look at certain types of colleges and rule out others. Where can you realistically go- get in? Even though you are being recruited for volleyball, you still need to be accepted into the school. At some schools, your test scores and grades can help you earn academic scholarships.

What do you want to study?

How big or small of a school would you be willing to go to?

Many colleges offer a variety of majors, but it is important to consider what you would like to major in. Also, what is your fallback in case you do not like that field? Do the colleges you are applying to have your desired major, and also a sufficient variety of options in case you change your major? What is the reputation of the department? How big are the classes? What is their job placement percentage?

Part III: Location, Location, Location

Where can you see yourself living for four-five years of your life?
What type of climate would you be willing to live in?
What expenses are associated with travel to and from your school?
Is it important for you to be a short drive from your family, or are you comfortable being a flight away?

Part IV: Volleyball

What type of volleyball program do you want to play for?  Is it important that you play for a program with a winning record?
What kind of coach would you like to have? What are some qualities you appreciate in coaches?
How much work are you willing to put in?
How many players do they carry on a team?
What is the coach’s method for choosing who plays? (seniority, ability, position needs)
Are you willing to possibly not make the travel lineup?
Roster Size? Is the roster comprised of players from the indoor team? Mixed or beach only?

These are but a few of a myriad of questions you may want to consider.

Part V: Beginning the Process:

1. Set up a Skills Video Session with your Club Director. Be sure to offer or include full game footage.
2. Set up a Recruiting consultation your Club Director.
3. Attend a Recruiting Consultation with answers to previous questions.
4. Write an Introductory Email to College Programs you are interested in. The email should come directly from the athlete with the athlete’s name, graduation year, GPA, link to video and recruiting profile if one exists.
5. Attach Skills and Game Footage and a Player Profile

College Recruiting Rules: 2024/2025 Update

The following guidelines outline the recruiting process and permissible activities for NCAA beach volleyball coaches and student-athletes.

Sophomore Year: Until June 15th of Your Incoming Junior Year

Coaches are allowed to:

• Send athletic or sports camp brochures, NCAA educational information, and questionnaires.

Coaches are not allowed to:

• Accept phone calls or emails from prospective student-athletes. If you leave a message, the coach cannot call or email you back.
• Have any communication with potential student-athletes or their parents/guardians before June 15th of the conclusion of the sophomore year.
• Send written recruiting information, except for an athletics questionnaire.

Athletes are allowed to:

• Attend college camps, but no recruiting conversations or offers can be made until after June 15th preceding the junior year.
• Visit colleges through their admissions office without interacting with coaches.

Sophomore Year: From June 15th

Coaches are allowed to:

• Send information about their athletic program and school, including media guides, schedule cards, personalized letters, photocopies of newspaper clippings, and official university admissions and academic publications.
• Answer emails and send emails to prospective student-athletes.
• Text and call student-athletes, and athletes can call Division I coaches.

Junior Year: From August 1st Through Senior Year

Athletes can:

• Begin taking official visits.
• Arrange unofficial visits (paid for by the athlete) with a school’s athletic department and meet with the coach while on campus.
• Participate in off-campus contact with coaches at their residence or school.
• Talk with college coaches on campus but not off-campus at places like the beach or volleyball facilities.

Official Visits

• Division I: Athletes are allowed a maximum of 5 official visits to Division I colleges, with each visit limited to 48 hours.
• Division II and III: Visits are limited to one per school, with no limit on the total number of visits.
• Athletes can receive up to three complimentary tickets to a college sporting event.
• To make an official visit, athletes need to provide a copy of their transcript and test scores to determine eligibility.

Tournaments

• College coaches cannot have personal contact with student-athletes during tournaments beyond a simple greeting.
• Coaches may speak with other coaches at competition sites but not with potential student-athletes or their parents/guardians.
• NCAA rules limit communication at tournaments, so coaches may appear unengaging if approached.

Proactive Recruiting

• Take ownership of your recruiting process. Be proactive in researching and reaching out to colleges.
• Utilize resources such as beach coaches and online information to explore collegiate beach volleyball opportunities.

For more education on junior beach volleyball and related topics, click here.

These updated guidelines ensure that the recruiting process remains fair and regulated, helping prospective student-athletes navigate their journey to collegiate beach volleyball.

Sources:

• NCAA Recruiting Guidelines
• NCSA
• VolleyballMag.com

For more education on junior beach volleyball, click here. For related reading on junior beach volleyball click here.

For more education on the beach volleyball recruiting process click HERE.