Volleyball is one of the friendliest team sports there is. Two teams, one net, and the goal is simply to keep the ball off your side of the floor, using up to three touches to send it back over. Indoors it's played on a hard court with six players a side. Outdoors, on grass or sand, teams are often smaller, and two-person beach doubles is a sport of its own.

Courts are easy to find. Gyms and recreation centers often run open gym nights where anyone can drop in, and many parks have sand or grass courts that are free to use. Adult leagues range from very competitive to strictly social, with plenty of coed recreational divisions where showing up is the main requirement.

The Date Activity

Volleyball works best as a double date or group date, since one-on-one isn't much of a game. Join a pickup game together, or bring a ball to the park and play pepper: one of you passes, the other sets, the first one hits, and back and forth you go. It's casual and easy to laugh at, and for once you're on the same side of the net.

If you both get hooked, sign up for a coed league, which gives you a standing weekly date and a team of ready-made friends. On warm days, take it outside for beach volleyball, and turn it into a full afternoon with a picnic and the sunset.

On Your Own / With Friends

With friends, volleyball is the ideal backyard or park game. A net and a ball don't cost much, almost anyone can play, and teams can be any size. Mix stronger and newer players on each side so the rallies last, and rotate positions so everyone gets a turn at the net. For a bigger group outing, pair it with a beach day or a cookout at the park.

If you're on your own, open gym and drop-in nights are an easy way in, since most will slot you onto a team. Leagues often take free agents and place them on teams that are short a player.

Good to Know

Indoor courts call for athletic shoes with non-marking soles. Sand volleyball is played barefoot, though socks help on hot sand. Knee pads save your knees indoors. Bring water, plus sunscreen and a hat for outdoor courts. Beginners should learn the forearm pass first, since it's the shot you'll use most: arms straight, thumbs together, and let the ball bounce off your forearms rather than swinging at it. Call "mine" loudly when the ball is yours, because most collisions happen when nobody does. Jammed fingers are the classic injury, so warm up first and tape them if you play often.