Section 4: Players & Officials
Team Format
- Each NCAA beach volleyball team consists of 10 student-athletes split into 5 pairs
- The 5 pairs are designated as pairs 1 through 5, ranked by the head coach in order of ability
- The "order of ability" is determined by the coach but must be applied consistently — pair 1 must be the team's strongest pair, pair 2 the next strongest, etc.
- Minimum of 6 physically able players must be present for a dual-meet match to be contested
Lineup Form and Challenge Form
- Each head coach submits a lineup form before the dual meet listing the 5 pairs in order 1-5
- The opposing head coach may challenge the lineup via the NCAA Challenge Form within a defined window if the lineup appears to violate the order-of-ability requirement
- The Championship Lineup Form and Challenge Form are NCAA-standard documents required at all NCAA-sanctioned competitions
Officiating Crew
- Each court has a first referee (R1, on the elevated stand), a second referee (R2, opposite the R1), and line judges (typically 2 or 4)
- Scorer at the score table
- Tournament referee oversees the multi-court venue
Substitutions
NCAA beach volleyball (under FIVB rules) does not permit substitutions within a pairs match. If a player is unable to continue due to injury or illness, the match is forfeited unless one of the published exceptions applies (e.g., declared injury timeout with medical clearance). The pair plays the entire match — no rotation, no substitute.