USA Volleyball, the governing body for the sport in the United States, provides court specifications in its official rulebook, which serves as a standard for all competitive volleyball courts. Except where the rulebook specifies exceptions, the USAV rules follow International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB) court specifications. Reviewing the standard volleyball court specifications will help you better understand the sport.
Court Dimensions
The standard playing area of a volleyball court measures 59 feet long by 29.5 feet wide. The ceiling must be at least 23 feet above the court's surface to allow for ample free space above the playing area.
Free Zone
A free zone surrounds the court's playing surface. FIVB rules specify that this zone must be at least 9 feet, 10 inches wide on all sides, whereas the USAV rules require the free zone to be only 6.5 feet on all sides.
Court Surface
The court must have a light-colored, flat and uniform surface. The color of the free zone should contrast with the color of the court's playing area.
Lines
All lines on the court must be 2 inches wide. Their color must contrast with the color of the floor. The court's sidelines and end lines mark the edges of the playing surface. These lines must be drawn inside the court's dimensions, and they count as in-bounds. A center line runs under the net from one sideline to the other, dividing the court into two equal parts, each measuring 29.5 feet by 29.5 feet. The entire width of the center line belongs to both sides of the court. Attack lines run 9 feet, 10 inches from the center line and parallel to the net on each side of the court. These lines separate each side of the court into front and back zones.
Service Zone
Two short lines, each 6 inches long, indicate the outside edges of the service zone behind each end line. These lines run 8 feet behind the end line and represent the extension of the sidelines.
Net
The net height varies depending on the age and gender of the players. For official men's competition, the net should measure 7 feet, 11 inches tall. For official women's competition, it should reach 7 feet, 4 inches tall. Antennae on either side of the net extend above the net and represent the outer edges of the "crossing space" above the net.
Member Comments