Nonverbal Communication Expectancy Violations and Beach Volleyball: Volleyball Teamwork

Beach Volleyball is quickly becoming one of the world's more popular sports. The game has a short history as compared to other major sports, but is gaining popularity across the globe year after year. The sport was recently introduced to the Olympic stage, and has continued to gain support; beach volleyball has become a small cultural movement that is slowly becoming accepted in the United States. While it has its roots in volleyball, a popular sport world wide, beach volleyball has begun to separate itself as an interesting and unique sport.

Sports have always been an important part of society; as such, they have been studied by countless professions, and for various reasons. Those who study communication have found multiple aspects of sports that could be of interest; the audience, the players, fans in general, and the communities surrounding them. With that being said, beach volleyball has started to become a point of interest for those studying all forms of communication. Beach Volleyball is a unique sport that, because of its short history, can be looked at with an eye towards new generations and new societal norms. Beach volleyball is a growing sport that's popularity is dominated by various nonverbal expectations by both participants and spectators.

Nonverbal communication is an important part of every function of life; sports rely on nonverbal communication just like all other aspects of life. Communication is key when thinking about a sport, and Beach Volleyball is no different. Both players and fans rely on nonverbal communication to create the experience that makes the phenomenon and space a "place" for them. These experiences have left society with specific expectations; those who have been to games know what to expect, while those who have not been to a game have been fed the expectations they should have. When these expectations are met or not met, the ability for beach volleyball to become a "place" is either strengthened or weakened.

The background of beach volleyball helps to make these possible connections more clear. Beach volleyball has obvious origins in the original "indoor" volleyball game. Indoor volleyball originated in 1895, featuring six people on each side of the court (Kiraly 4). The game focused more on a team that featured players who were specialized in defense, players who were specialized in setting the ball up for a hit, and players who were specialized in hitting. The sport quickly became popular worldwide; it could easily be said that volleyball is more popular in various other European and Asian countries than it is in the United States. European countries feature pro leagues where players are traded and play for money on indoor volleyball teams.

In contrast, the first beach volleyball game was played in 1930, and featured the first "doubles" game with two players per side (Kiraly 4). This offered an incredibly drastic differentiation from the indoor game; suddenly, both players on a team were forced to be "specialized" at all three positions, known as DS (defensive specialist), setter, and hitter. Both players need to be able to master all parts of the game, making the game unique and appealing. Only the best can play competitively in beach volleyball, as they need to be skilled in all aspects of the game. In another stark contrast, indoor volleyball was introduced into the Olympics in 1964; beach volleyball was not introduced into the Olympics until 1996. While beach volleyball is unique, it is the younger of the two. This partially explains why it is unique, but also explains why there are higher expectations for the sport of beach volleyball itself.

The rules of the game of beach volleyball are pretty simple; this makes it incredibly easy for non-fans to follow along, and to pick up. The game follows many of the rules of indoor volleyball. Teams are only allowed to hit the ball three times; if they fail to get the ball over in three hits, a point is given to the other team. A team in beach volleyball consists of two players per side. If a ball lands within the designated area on each side, it is a point for the other team. Certain moves are illegal, limiting the actual moves that are allowed; this is what causes players to specialize in all areas of the game. They must be able to perform the actual legal moves of the game to be able to win the game. Players work in their teams, both individually (with their own movements), and communicatively, to decide who they are going to serve to, and what angle they are hitting.

The scoring of the game is simple. Every single time that someone serves, a team will score. The teams generally play a "best out of three" format, with each game going to 21 points. There are no ties; players must win by two points (21-19, 25-23, etc.). The games feature a varying number of referees, depending on the specific space; generally, one referee will be up on a stand on one edge of the net, with another on the opposite side, standing on the ground by the net. Some games will also feature line judges who gauge whether or not the ball is inside of the designated area. As long as the ball hits the line, it is considered in. Judges often use the mark that the ball leaves as proof of where the ball landed. Exploring the scoring of the game, as well as the rules of the game, can help to give a full understanding of the actual flow of the game to those who have never witnessed a game (both in person or on TV). The game is a fast paced, and features excitement with nearly every point. This is one of the simple expectations that makes the game popular, and this expectation is rarely unmet.

Volleyball courts are incredibly simple. They feature two equal sides, with a ribbon marking the squares on each side. A net is placed in the middle, with two antennas marking the vertical plane of the net. The court is made of sand; each court carries a personality based on the kind of sand that is used on the court itself. Some courts will be short and packed (easier to move around and jump), while other courts will have more sand, becoming loose. These courts are slightly harder to actually play on, as they delay movement and make it harder to jump. These are the courts that will help to foster the growth of a space to a place, whether it be for a specific court, or the phenomenon of the game of beach volleyball itself.

The actual beach volleyball court itself is considered a space to those who have no connection to the game or the area whatsoever. While they see the actual court itself, they do not understand the vast emotional connections that could be made to the actual space itself. But what takes a space and turns it into an actual place for those involved with the sport? Gieryn highlights three major ground rules that focus on what actually can constitute as a "place". The first of these three "ground rules" describing a "place", according to Gieryn, is that a place is "a geographic location" (464). While it may not be the exact same space every time (a moving court, a similar location that pops up in multiple areas), it generally features an actual location. The second rule, according to Gieryn, is that a place has a "material form" (Gieryn 465). The actual place itself is made up of "stuff" and "is a compilation of things or objects at some particular spot in the universe" (Gieryn 465). All of these things come together to actually form that specific place.

The third rule for defining an actual place revolves around an "investment with meaning and value" by the people who are making the space a "place" for themselves. This is where beach volleyball can easily become a place for many; they make a direct connection to the sport and the place of the sport. These places are "interpreted, narrated, perceived, felt, understood, and imagined" (Gieryn 465). This is because "place is space filled up by people, practices, objects, and representations" (Gieryn 465). The people and actions of the game by those both viewing and those playing are what makes the overall phenomenon a place. For some, this direct connection is made to the actual beach volleyball court itself. Some people may find a special connection to a court in Huntington Beach, while others may have a special place they have found in their local court. Others will find a deeper connection to the sport; what it means to them, and what it can provide them. The popularity of beach volleyball hinges on these deep connections. For the sport to be popular, it must connect to both players and fans on a place-making level.

For the players, it is all about the experience. The experience of the actual movements of the game, and the feeling that these people get when they are actually working in the game itself. Fans and spectators find a myriad of things to connect to, making the game of Beach Volleyball (or the court itself) a place, rather than a space. Some connect with the competitive aspect of the game; they fuel their competitive desires through the players on the court, and have found a particular connection with the game. Others are more connected to the party atmosphere of the game itself. The actual game of beach volleyball is known more for the atmosphere than it is for the game. Jim Caple, a writer for ESPN, noted the beach volleyball experience during the 2004 Olympic games. He stated that beach volleyball is "an all-day party that doesn't end until midnight...beach volleyball prides everything a fan could want in a sport: sand, sun, beer, loud music, fantastic athletes, exciting matches