William G. Morgan invented volleyball in Massachusetts in 1895, only four years after Dr. James Naismith invented basketball. Since the 19th century, volleyball has earned international popularity. The sport made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 1964. USA Volleyball, the sport's governing body in this country, follows all court specifications set by the International Federation of Volleyball, or FIVB.
Court Size
Regulation volleyball courts must measure 59 feet long and 29 feet, 6 inches wide, according to USAV and FIVB rules. The net runs across the width of the court, dividing the court into two equal halves of 29 feet, 6 inches by 29 feet, 6 inches.
Attack Lines
The volleyball court has attack lines running parallel to the net on each side of the court. Each attack line sits 9 feet, 10 inches away from the net. The attack line divides the court into a front zone and back zone. The front zone includes the width of the attack line. Players in back-row positions cannot attack the ball above the net from the front zone.
Free Zone
Volleyball courts used in official USAV and FIVB competition must have a free zone that extends a certain distance beyond the court. FIVB rules dictate that the free zone must extend a minimum of 9 feet, 10 inches on all sides of the court. Courts used in FIVB world competitions must have a free zone that measures 16 feet, 4/10 inches on the court's sides and 26 feet, 3/10 inches on the court's ends. USAV rules dictate that the free zone extend a minimum of 6 feet, 6 ¾ inches on all sides of the court.
Compared to Other Net Sports
The volleyball court is longer and wider than the standard badminton court, but not as long or wide as the standard tennis court. Tennis courts must measure 78 feet long, 27 feet wide for singles and 36 feet wide for doubles, according to International Tennis Federation Rules. Badminton courts must measure 44 feet long, 17 feet wide for singles and 20 feet wide for doubles, according to the Badminton World Federation laws of badminton.
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