The purpose of this study was to investigate the variability of takeoff movement skills on sand surface between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball players through the 3D kinematics analysis. This study further investigated the variability of lower limb muscle contraction at different takeoff movement phases between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball players through the electromyography analysis. Eight female beach volleyball players and eight female elite indoor volleyball players were participated in this study. Two Casino EX-FX20 digital cameras (210 Hz) were synchronized with Noraxon™ electromyography system (1,000 Hz) to collect the biomechanical parameters, while players performing the straddle jump movement on sand surface. Independence t-test was used to evaluate the straddle jump performance differences between two groups. Statistical significance level was set at .05. Results showed that beach volleyball players performed larger vertical and resultant velocity in takeoff, and jump higher with a nearly vertical takeoff angle. Moreover, beach volleyball players had shortest right foot supporting phase and had larger flexion angles in the lower extremity joints, hence players could have longer acting period during upward and resulting larger jumping height. Players from both groups showed similar muscles firing sequences during takeoff movement. The rectus femoris and vastus medialis were active in the right foot support phase. Then, vastus medialis and rectus femoris were the main acting muscles in downward phase but gastrocnemius and biceps femoris activate increased at the same time. The tibialis anterior and biceps femoris were more activated in the upward phase. However, during the whole takeoff movement, beach volleyball players showed larger muscle contraction and better coordination than indoor volleyball players. The results of the study could provide the insight of segment-muscle coordination. This information could help players to improve jumping skill in the sand court, and beach volleyball players showed their jumping ability as possible.