Playing volleyball in Naples: from sand tournaments to indoor courses

The end of August represents the perfect moment for those who love volleyball: the last summer challenges on the sand cross paths with the scheduling of the first indoor training sessions. Whether you want to participate in a tournament under the sun or get back in shape in the gym, Campania offers great opportunities in these weeks to play and have fun together.

From the sand of Cava de' Tirreni to the gyms of Naples

The summer calendar offers a historic appointment for all enthusiasts in the province of Salerno and Naples. From 26 to 30 August 2026, the 28th edition of the famous "Città di Cava de' Tirreni" Beach Volleyball Tournament will be held, organised in the picturesque setting of Piazza Tommaso Cuomo. This year, in addition to the classic mixed tournament formats designed for those who want to play with friends, the local CSI committee has also introduced the Under 17 boys' youth category. The specific participation requirements and net heights for the various categories must be checked in the official regulations of the event.

While the sand of Cava prepares to welcome players, Naples is already thinking about the autumn restart. ASD Napoli Pallavolo and Nuova Polisportiva Ponticelli have opened registrations for mixed amateur courses for the 2026/2027 season. Training sessions, dedicated to adults aged over 20 and above, will be held in the Bordiga gyms in Ponticelli and at Liceo O. in Portici. This is an ideal solution for those who want to keep touching the ball even during the cold months, within mixed groups where having fun matters more than the result at all costs.

Summer successes that inspire the community

Drawing inspiration from major local sporting events is the best way to find the right energy to take to the court. Campania has recently been the protagonist of very high-level tournaments. In mid-July 2026, right in Cava de' Tirreni, the CSI Open and Top Junior national finals were played, which saw a Neapolitan team win the national title. Shortly after, on 1 August 2026, the European Universities Games concluded in Salerno, with the women's gold going to the Università di Bologna and the men's to the Università di Montpellier.

Elite beach volleyball has also left its mark: on 2 August 2026, the Gold stage that awarded the Coppa Italia di Beach Volley concluded in Montesilvano. The tournament saw Alice Gradini and Federica Frasca triumph in the women's draw, and Marco Viscovich with Davide Borraccino in the men's. Watching these athletes helps to understand the importance of technique, which is fundamental even when playing for pure fun.

How to manage the transition between sand and gym

Playing on sand and on parquet requires different adjustments. The dimensions of a 2x2 beach volleyball court are 16x8 metres and games are played to the best of three sets to 21 points, while indoor volleyball is played with six players on an 18x9 metre court, with sets to 25 points and a potential tie-break to 15 points. Here are some practical tips to adapt your game without risking injuries or making trivial mistakes:

• The attacking run-up on sand: On sand, it is impossible to do the classic gym run-up. The typical mistake of an indoor player moving to the sand is taking a final step that is too long, sinking into the ground and jumping forward into the net. How to correct it: shorten your steps, keep your centre of gravity low and push up hard using your arms for vertical momentum.
• Managing space in reception: In 2x2 beach volleyball, you have to cover a significant portion of the court together with your partner. The typical mistake is not communicating on who should take the short or central ball. How to correct it: before the opponent's serve, establish who covers the diagonal trajectory and who covers the line, calling for the ball out loud when you decide to intervene.
• Positioning at the net for blocking: In six-a-side volleyball, the net is 2.43 metres high for men and 2.24 metres for women (while the height for mixed or youth championships must be checked in the event regulations). The typical mistake at amateur level is jumping to block too early, letting the ball go over you. How to correct it: watch the ball set by the opponent and jump a moment after the attacker takes off, keeping your hands open and reaching over the net.

The most common mistakes of amateur players at the end of summer

At the end of summer, the desire to play is strong, but physical fitness is not always optimal. The most common mistake made during this period is rushing to finish the point with power shots, neglecting positioning and defence. We often see players attempting difficult spikes on imprecise sets, ending up giving away points to opponents or, worse, touching the net.

Another frequent mistake is underestimating the importance of warming up. Going from summer rest to intense matches under the late August sun or on the gym parquet without proper muscle activation increases the risk of strains and sprains. Just ten minutes of light jogging, joint mobility exercises and a few control digs in pairs are enough to prepare the body for the effort.

Organising with friends to take to the court

The beauty of volleyball and beach volleyball lies in sharing. Whether it is registering for the last beach tournament before returning to work or planning weekly training sessions in one of the gyms in Naples and Portici, the key is to move in good time. Creating a close-knit group, defining roles and establishing a training schedule allows you to experience the sport with the right spirit, improving technique without ever losing sight of the fun.