A volleyball court is the official area in which players may stand before and during a volleyball rally. Marked clearly by lines that signify in and out-of-bounds, a ball or foot that touches the line, without going over its outer edge, is considered inbounds. USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) have similar, but not exactly the same, official volleyball court requirements.
Playing Area
The official volleyball court, according to the USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations includes both the inbounds and out-of-bounds areas, which should be rectangular and symmetrical, the same on both sides.
Measurements
As stated in the USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations, the official inbounds area of the volleyball court measures 18 x 9 meters. This measurement is taken from the outermost border of the court lines. The out-of-bounds area, or free zone, surrounding the entire volleyball court must be a minimum of 3 meters wide. A free playing space, the area from the floor of the court to the ceiling, must measure at least 7 meters. FIVB rules for World and Official Competitions, require a free zone measuring at least 5 meters out from the sideline and a minimum of 8 meters from the end lines. They also require a free playing space at least 12 1/2 meters high.
Surface
The surface of the volleyball court must be free of obstructions that might cause player injury. Flat, horizontal and uniform are the basic characteristics of an acceptable playing surface as described by the USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations. Players must be able to gain sure footing on a smooth surface. A slippery surface is forbidden. The FIVB World and Official Competitions must play on only a wooden or synthetic surface. Any other volleyball court surface must be approved by the FIVB before the game begins. The USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations state that an indoor volleyball court must have a light colored surface. FIVB World and Official Competitions require the volleyball court to contain two different colors; one for the playing court and the other for the free zone.
Lines
All lines on the volleyball court must be a light color that differs from the surface and 5 cm wide, according to the USA Volleyball Domestic Competition Regulations. FIVB World and Official Competitions require the lines drawn in the color white. Boundary lines are comprised of the two sidelines and the two end lines. These lines are drawn within their outermost edge marking the end of the legal dimensions of the playing court. The center line of a volleyball court runs under the net from sideline to sideline and belongs to both sides. It equally divides the court into areas measuring 9 x 9 meters. The attack line is drawn on each court parallel to, and 3 meters behind, the center line. This area is called the front zone of the volleyball court. The attack line for FIVB World and Official Competitions must extend across the sidelines, marked by a broken line.
Service Zone
All official adult volleyball competition rules require the server to serve the volleyball from within the service zone. The service zone sits behind each end line and measures 9 meters wide.
Member Comments