Europe, are you ready for your first Snow Volleyball Kings & Queens?
In case you didn’t know, the very first Snow Volleyball European Championship takes place tomorrow until Sunday with a total of 48 teams competing in the men’s and women’s tournament.
The tourney takes place in Wagrain-Kleinarl & Flachau, Austria.
You’ve most likely heard and/or read about Snow Volleyball as of late (or within the last 10 years since debut) when it made global headlines during the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea where an exhibition match was held. “Snow Volleyball Night” was attended by some of the world’s biggest and brightest volleyball players like Kim Yeon Koung, Giba, Vladimir Grbic and beach player Emanuel Rego.
In case you want to know more about the sport – which hopefully will become an Olympic Winter Sport in the next Winter Olympics – OR if you are interested to start a career as a snow volleyball player, below is a list of things you need to know about Snow VB.
You Wear Soccer Shoes
Many of the current snow volleyball competitors are also beach volleyball players. Don’t you worry. You don’t need to study new rules about the game. For the most part, snow and beach volleyball rules are similar. The only MAJOR MAJOR difference is that snow volleyballers wear SOCCER shoes.
A Match Is Best Of 7
Each match is best of 7 and each set is only game to 11 and must win by 2.
Everyone Is Welcome!
People of all ages are very much welcome to watch and enjoy snow volleyball. There’s usually a Snow Volleyball For Kids event before the start of tourney which is awesome!
The Rules Of The Game
Just like indoor and beach, snow volleyball has official rules. Click here to view and read it.
There’s A HOT TUB!
Yes and we are not kidding. There is usually a hot tub for snow volleyballers to jump into and enjoy after a match.
A DJ & Cheerleaders
Music is in the DNA of this tournament so expect lots of music and this loud energy in all corners. However, don’t be distracted by those cheerleaders in lederhosen instead of bikinis.
Smart & Flexible Players, Where You At?
“Snow volleyball is for smart and flexible players. All the moves are much slower. That means you have to be smarter — especially in defense. You have to decide the direction you want to go, and that’s all. You can’t take it back — otherwise you find yourself on your back with the shoes up to the air.” -2016 Czech beach champion Bobb Kufa.
Thinner Air May Slow You Down
“You can really feel it. It’s really intense after just a short time. So you need to be physically really well prepared to be able to play on the mountains.” -Flo Schnetzer, Austrian national champion
Height Is Really NOT A Big Deal
According to the aforementioned article:
The snow is slicker than sand there is more of a premium on players who can read and react quickly than on tall ones who can block. It’s also easier to jump on the compacted snow, so shorter players can be more effective blockers and height is less of an advantage.
Did you read the last few lines? HEIGHT IS LESS OF AN ADVANTAGE!
Be Prepared For Weather Changes
You are playing in the mountains or in a ski resort so expect weather changes and make sure you’re prepared for the wrath of Elsa.
“It is a mountain, so you should be ready for weather changes and be prepared for all kinds of weather,” Kufa said.
Click here to visit the official site of the SNOW VB European Championship.
Snow Volleyball was featured in The Olympic Channel. Click HERE to watch the video.