Volleyball is a popular recreational and competitive sport. From local junior high schools up to the Olympics, volleyball is played for both fun and sport, by males and females. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball, the FIVB, dictates the official rules of volleyball, including the structure and dimensions of the playing area.
The Court
Volleyball net and poles are set in relation to the court. The court is rectangular and per FIVB standards must be symmetrical. The long side is 18 meters, the short side measures 9 m. The center line divides the court into two 9 m by 9 m squares. A free zone that is 3 m wide wraps around the entire playing area. The area above the playing, up to a minimum of 7 m, must be free of obstructions.
Court Markings
According to FIVB rules, all lines on the court are 5 cm wide. They have to be a light color that is different from the color of the floor. The court is divided into two even playing areas by the center line. This line extends the width of the playing area, beneath the net. The playing area is marked with two sidelines and two end lines, which are drawn inside the dimensions of the playing court. Attack lines are located 3 m from the middle of the center line on both sides of the court.
The Net
The net is 1 m wide and 9.5 to 10 m long. It is made of 10 centimeter square black mesh. A horizontal white band, 7 cm wide, stretches along the top of the net. A second white band, 5 cm wide, stretches along the bottom of the net. Two white bands, each 5 cm wide, run vertically on the sides of the net. These are placed directly above each sideline and are the same width as the sideline.
Net Set-Up
The net posts, which are 2.55 m high, are set 0.5 to 1 m outside the sidelines. The net is set up directly over the center line, which belongs to both sides of play. The height of the net, measured at the center of the court, is 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women. The net height must be the same over both sidelines and cannot exceed the middle height by more than 2 cm.
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