Santa Cruz Volleyball Forum

There is quite a bit of controversy in our group (mixed levels of ability) about what is a good dink on the beach? Can someone explain this?

Hi David,

The CBVA (California Beach Volleyball Assn) rule book is pretty clear:

Rule 12.4: When contacting the ball with one hand, it must be cleanly hit with the
heel or palm of the hand (a “roll shot”), with straight, locked fingertips (a
“cobra”), knurled fingers (a “camel toe”) or the back of the hand from the
wrist to the knuckles. One-handed placement or redirection of the ball
with the fingers (a “dink” or “open hand tip”) is a fault.

If you need more clarification, let me know.

Phil

Hi Phil,

I could use some more clarification on this. It comes up almost every time I play. When you say the ball must be “cleanly hit” with the palm or heel, do you mean that the ball must bounce off the palm or heel (versus there being a longer contact between the ball and the hand)? Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether the ball has sufficiently “bounced off" the palm or not. Also, what is the name for this kind of fault? I’ve heard people use both “carry” and “throw.”

KMo

Hi KMo,

Sometimes it is difficult distinguishing between a legal beach dink and a "throw" (synonymous with "carried" or "lifted" contact). If the pads of the fingers are ever used in the dinking motion, it is illegal since it gives the offensive player too much opportunity to redirect the ball. With only 2 players on defense, the beach dink must cleanly "pop" off the hand, knuckles, end of fingers or back of hand. If it seems to stop momentarily inside the hand like the indoor "tip", it probably is a throw.

This is not the last word on the beach dink and I hope others might offer additional insight.

Thanks,

Phil