Volleyball
Expert Interview: Beach Volleyball Training Between Fun and Injury Risk
Professional tips from beach volleyball coach Hape Ludwig for effective training in everyday life and at camp.
We met for an in-depth expert interview with Hape Ludwig from beach-volleyball.de on the beach court. In our conversation, we talked about beach volleyball training in general, challenges in beach volleyball camps, and effective measures for injury prevention. The often underestimated topic of regeneration was also discussed. Of course, we also picked up a few valuable tips for our next beach volleyball duel.
Questions and table of contents
- How do you actually become the managing director of one of the largest beach volleyball providers in Europe?
- What does successful and structured beach volleyball training look like in everyday life?
- Which training content is particularly important for athletic success?
- What role does athletic and strength training play?
- Are there current trends in training or technological developments?
- What differentiates a structured training camp from everyday training?
- What does a typical training camp look like?
- How much theory is included in the daily practice at camp?
- How important is regeneration – and how do you handle it?
- What typical problems or mistakes do you see most often in camps?
- Are there many injuries during camps?
- What are the most common causes of overuse?
- How do you integrate injury prevention into training?
- What do you recommend for preparation at home?
- Top 5 tips
Hello Hape, thank you for taking the time for an interview. How do you actually become the managing director of one of the largest beach volleyball providers in Europe?
By living and loving the sport – at least that’s how it was for me. I’m Hape Ludwig, one of the two managing directors of beach-volleyball.de, the leading provider of beach volleyball camps in Europe with over 105 camp weeks per year. I have 25 years of indoor volleyball experience. In 2010, the sand finally got me, and since then I have played with great passion. Today, I am responsible for content, marketing, and the online shop, and as head coach of the Academy, I’m also on the sidelines myself. Our camps are open to everyone, from recreational players to ambitious athletes who want to take their game to the next level.
Hape's favorite Bauerfeind Sports Volleyball products
Beach Volleyball Training: Tips for More Fun and Less Injury Risk
There are certainly many approaches. I can mainly share my own philosophy: I work with clear training focuses and place great importance on technical training. It’s important to separate training from playing. Many correct repetitions combined with continuous, solid feedback pay off in the long run.
Which training content is particularly important for athletic success?
That depends on how you define success. Beach volleyball is a complex sport, both physically and mentally challenging. Anyone who wants to make progress should work equally on technique, game understanding, and mental strength.
What role does athletic and strength training play?
That depends on individual goals. For the recreational level, regular, moderate athletic training is already sufficient. Classics like stabilization exercises are extremely effective here. Those who play competitively should additionally integrate targeted strength training, especially for the core, legs, and ankle joints.
Are there current trends in training or technological developments?
Definitely! Internationally, for example, the Swedish jump set is attracting attention – a very athletic and technically demanding style of play. There are also developments in equipment: in Germany, there are currently three different game balls in circulation, which differ significantly in flight behavior and handling. Those training for competition should definitely take this into account. And in terms of gear, more and more beach players are using sports supports, especially for knees and ankles.
Training Camp: Structure, Content, and Regeneration
What differentiates a structured training camp from everyday training?
In our camps, participants train in groups of no more than eight people, for two to four hours daily, Monday to Friday. Each group is supervised by an experienced coach who tailors the training to the level and provides ongoing corrections. This personal, direct feedback is a clear added value and greatly helps with improvement.
What does a typical training camp look like?
That varies depending on location. In our main camp in Turkey, for example, training takes place in the morning, and in the afternoon there are tournaments at different levels. The content can be applied directly there. Evenings offer floodlit matches, show games, boccia tournaments, or player parties for variety. Our goal: athletic development and a thoroughly enjoyable active holiday with a community feeling.
How much theory is included in the daily practice at camp?
Theory is a central part of training. It creates the necessary understanding for technical movements. That’s why we integrate theoretical explanations directly into practice, so participants can immediately apply and internalize what they’ve learned.
How important is regeneration – and how do you handle it?
Very important! Our camps are designed to combine training and recovery – after all, for many participants it’s also a holiday. We therefore consciously manage workloads and divide groups according to performance levels. Our partner hotels also provide optimal conditions for relaxation and recovery. And we always emphasize: listen to your body!
Injury Prevention and Common Training Mistakes
What typical problems or mistakes do you see most often in camps?
Clearly: fatigue and overuse. Many underestimate how demanding barefoot training in the sand is – it activates muscles that are hardly used in everyday life. Then there’s sun, heat, and fresh air. It’s more tiring than you think. We actively counteract this with prevention, load management, and education.
Are there many injuries during camps?
Fortunately, hardly any. Our participants are there voluntarily, motivated – and can take breaks at any time. Through targeted training structure and group division, we have injury risks well under control. Our goal is for everyone to return home with positive memories, not pain.
What are the most common causes of overuse?
Often it’s simply enthusiasm: once in camp, people want to spend every minute in the sand. Group dynamics, good vibes, and a full sports program are highly motivating, but sometimes also too tempting. That’s why it’s important to keep yourself in check.
How do you integrate injury prevention into training?
Every training session begins with activation and mobility. I also deliberately include strengthening exercises and explain their benefits. Over the week, participants develop a small repertoire of exercises they can take home.
What do you recommend for preparation at home?
Clearly: preparatory stability training, similar to classic ski gymnastics. I’m also a big fan of supportive tools like sports compression or supports. Compression wear improves circulation, supports stabilize stressed joints like knees or ankles. In both training and recovery, this is a real help.
Thank you for the interview, Hape and for the many valuable tips for an injury-free beach volleyball experience!
Conclusion: Hape’s Top 5 for Injury-Free Beach Volleyball Training
- Technique before play: Separate training sessions clearly from free play and focus on many correct repetitions with continuous feedback.
- Train holistically: Work not only on technique, but also on game understanding, mental strength, and athleticism – ideally with core, leg, and ankle exercises.
- Manage workload: Take enough breaks, adjust intensity to your performance level, and listen to your body.
- Stabilize regularly: Integrate activation, mobility, and targeted strengthening exercises into every session – this sustainably reduces injury risk.
- Start well prepared: Strengthen your stability at home, for example with ski-gymnastics-type exercises, and use supportive tools like sports compression or supports for extra protection.
