The first set of volleyball rules, published in the Official Handbook of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of North America in 1897, called for a 6-foot-6-inch net. According to these original rules, both men and women played with the same net height. Since the 19th century, governing bodies for the sport of volleyball have raised the height of the net several times. The official rules of the International Federation of Volleyball, or FIVB, provide standard specifications for volleyball court dimensions and net heights. These rules now require that men and women play with nets of different heights. Men and women still compete on courts with the same dimensions.
Net Structure
Standard volleyball nets measure 39 inches from top to bottom. The net should measure from 31 feet 6 inches to 33 feet across. White canvas bands run along the net’s top, bottom and sides. The net has one antenna on each side. The antennae measure 5 feet 11 inches long, and 32 inches of each antenna reaches above the top of the net. The antennae mark the outside limits of the crossing space over the net.
Net Height for Official Competition
Official men’s volleyball competition requires a net that measures 7 feet 11 5/8 inches high. Official women’s volleyball competition requires a net that measures 7 feet 4 1/8 inches high. Officials must measure the net’s height from the surface of the court at the middle of the center line below the net. The net’s height at the sidelines should not be more than three-fourths of an inch greater than its height at the center.
Net Height for Specific Age Groups
USA Volleyball, the governing body for the sport in the United States, suggests that individual teams or clubs use slightly different net heights according to age and gender. Male and female children under the age of 12 should play with a net that measures 7 feet or less. Male and female players ages 13 and 14 should play with a net that measures 7 feet 4 1/8 inches. Players ages 15 to 18 should play with the net height used in official competition for their gender. Adult players over age 45 should play with nets that measure about 2 inches shorter than the official net height for their gender.
Court Dimensions
Regulation volleyball courts measure 59 feet long and 29 feet 6 inches wide. The net runs over the center line, dividing the court in half. Each side of the court has an attack line 9 feet and 10 inches from the net, dividing the front zone from the back zone. All volleyball court lines belong to the spaces they bound. The sidelines and end lines form part of the court, and the center line belongs to both sides of the court.
Space Around the Court
FIVB rules specify that volleyball courts must have at least 23 feet of free space above the floor. All of this space counts as part of the playing area. The court should also have free space surrounding it. FIVB rules require that courts have 9 feet 10 inches of space on all sides, whereas USAV rules require only 6 feet 6¾ inches of space on all sides. Players can move into the free space around the court, known as the free zone, at any time during play.
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