Volleyball, a popular sport played worldwide and featured in Olympic competition, is played indoors in gymnasiums and sports centers and outdoors, particularly at the beach. The required equipment for volleyball is relatively simple. A ball, a net, posts and a court area are all that is needed to play the game casually. Competitive play requires uniforms and has specific rules concerning ball form, post and net setup, and court layout.
Ball
Volleyballs are spherical and have indoor and outdoor types. Both balls traditionally are made of 18 nearly rectangular sections of real or synthetic leather assembled in six panels that are sewn together to form the ball. An internal bladder and valve allow for the ball to be inflated. Indoor volleyballs have a relatively smooth surface and are 25.5 to 26.5 inches in circumference. Beach volleyballs have a rougher surface and are 26 to 27 inches around. Both types of balls weigh 9.2 to 9.9 ounces. Indoor volleyballs tend to be inflated to a higher internal pressure than beach volleyballs. Colors range from solid white to multicolored panels.
Net
The net is 3.28 feet in height and 31 to 32 feet in length. The mesh of the net should be squares of 10 centimeters. A horizontal band made of a 14-centimeter canvas strip folded over the top edge of the net and sewn in place. A cord passes through this strip to tie the net to the posts. Another strip of 10-centimeter m canvas is folded and sewn to the bottom edge of the net, with a cord through it to keep the bottom taut. A canvas strip is sewn to each end of the net to form side bands.
Posts
Posts for volleyball usually are made of steel, aluminum or wood. They are placed 1.5 to 3 feet outside the side boundary lines so the net falls along the center line. The posts should be rounded and smooth, with no wires supporting them. Each post is 8 feet tall for men's volleyball and 7 feet 4 inches tall for women.
Antennas
A fiberglass rod, called an antenna, can be added to the top of each side band of the net. Each antenna is 6 feet high and just under half an inch in diameter. The rods are considered part of the net and help define the vertical boundary.
Court
The court is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, with a center line dividing the court into two 30-by 30-foot sides. Attack lines are drawn across the court on each side of the net, 9 feet 10 inches or 10 feet from the center line, depending on which rules are used. Two-inch lines mark the court boundaries and the center line. A free zone of 6 feet, 6 inches surrounds the entire court.
Uniform
For indoor volleyball, the uniform is of a short-sleeved or sleeveless jersey, shorts and athletic shoes. Protective goggles, athletic socks and knee protection are optional. For outdoor beach volleyball, the uniform usually is athletic swimwear and players go barefoot.
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