By Christine Jinbo

After years of little league, youth basketball, peewee football and club volleyball many parents and spectators have a difficult time understanding the rules unique to beach volleyball specifically the self-officiating and no coaching rules.

Junior beach volleyball resembles junior golf and junior tennis in this regard. At the amateur level, beach volleyball is self-officiated, similar to the sports of tennis and golf, where participants "call their own," by keeping their own score and calling their own lines and faults. 

You will not see a coach on a sideline of a tennis match telling Roger Federer or Maria Sharapova where to serve, or a coach telling Tiger Woods to step away from the ball when there is a big noise. When Misty May and Keri Walsh won Olympic Gold, there was no coach on the sideline shouting offensive advice. These things do not happen because coaching is not allowed during these competitions.

Self-officiating is an honorable task. It requires athletes to put the honor of competition above their own desire to win. Athletes in these sports follow a code, similar to an honor code that is not a part of any official rules. The code consists of sportsmanship, courtesy and gamesmanship that transcend sport and reveal valuable lessons in life.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) articulates it best, in The Code: The Players' Guide for Unofficiated Matches. The Courtesy Do's & Don'ts portion of the guide teach invaluable lessons:

Do: Shake hands at end of the match. Don't Complain about the other team's shots, use vile language, or sulk when you are losing.

It is pretty straight forward and seems like a no-brainer to most, but when young athletes are reminded of the honor of the game, they make good decisions and have positive outcomes, win or lose.

Many parents and spectators are surprised at the relaxed atmosphere that surrounds beach tournaments and one such parent was so happy about the difference, she wrote in a letter to USA Beach Tour Director, Denny Lennon.

"I wanted to put in writing my sincerest thanks for what was a really well run tournament on Sunday. The philosophy you articulated about beach ball being one of the few venues where kids can just enjoy the game and manage the process themselves was a refreshingly different approach compared to most sporting endeavors. I also thought your review of the rules and process up front was well done, particularly the way you helped people understand about the honor code in beach ball..."

Some adults cannot imagine that junior athletes could possibly manage their own court, call their own nets, or decide who to serve and when to call a time out. Except that across the country in USA Junior Beach events and AAU Junior Beach events, they have been doing exactly that.

A handful of parents disbelieve so much, they break the no coaching rule, and set in motion disruptive events and create an uncomfortable atmosphere that affects the teams on the court and the surrounding spectators.

That ball was out! yells one parent.

The teams are supposed to officiate themselves and there's no coaching! retorts another.

Although the second parent articulates the right rules, the stage has been set for confrontation outside the boundaries of the court amongst those who are not actually playing.

The USTA states the obvious in the The Code, "Spectators never to make calls. A player shall not enlist the aid of a spectator in making a call. No spectator has a part in the match." Coaching is defined by the USTA:

Coaching is considered to be communication, advice or instruction of any kind, audible or visible, to a player.

The Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) is the governing body for international beach volleyball, and the organization that qualifies beach volleyball teams for Olympic competition. Rule 4.1.3 of the official FIVB beach volleyball rules states,

For FIVB World Competitions, coaching is not allowed during a match.

The USA Beach National Tour Director, Denny Lennon, believes the no coaching rule is of vital importance to the integrity of the sport and reinforces these rules across the country. Lennon states:

"I really feel the "no coaching" rule is one anchor of the program. It clearly removes the adult influence, which the players love. It also creates a much better vibe, one that is more fun and relaxed, while allowing the players to improve. Rarely do kids cheat on purpose and the best teams always prevail."

Lennon added,

"Coaching should be encouraged through a club system or informal workouts with players during the week in "practice", that allows them to play and take ownership at the tournaments."

Currently, at USA Beach events, passive coaching is permitted, but Lennon along with beach legend Karch Kiraly will look to re-define the junior beach tournaments as "complete no coaching zones." The definition of passive coaching according to the USA Beach program is:

Coaching takes place during time-outs, side changes. Coaches may only have contact with their athletes at this time. Coaches may not confront the opponents or player officials assigned to matches. Team coaches must register as an official coach with the USA National Office Beach Division and defer to the assigned official (or tournament officials) when contact with their athletes is allowed.

Volleyball legend Karch Kiraly, the only American to have won Olympic gold medals in both the indoor and beach game agrees with the no coaching rule.

I agree...I think coaching at practices during the week is great. Tournament competition is time for kids to figure things out for themselves, to experiment, to learn what works and what doesn't by trying and by doing.

This sport - any sport - is ultimately about solving problems [eg problem: she keeps hitting short, solution: I will play shallower on defense], and ultimately so is life. Those who can find solutions on their own are better equipped to succeed in whatever they attempt. And I like the "better vibe" aspect a lot.

Now, who can argue with greatness or three Olympic gold medals?