Volleyball courts used in competition must meet specifications set by the International Volleyball Federation. USA Volleyball, the governing body for volleyball in the United States, follows most FIVB rules regarding the court's dimensions, net and other specifications.
Dimensions
The volleyball court's playing area, including the court and the free zone around it, must be rectangular and symmetrical. The court itself measures 59 feet long and 29 feet, 6 inches wide. The boundary lines, drawn within the court's dimensions, count as in-bounds. The free zone around the court must measure at least 9 feet, 10 inches on all sides, according to FIVB rules. For FIVB world competitions, the court must have even more free space around it, with at least 16 feet, 4/10 inches on the sides and 26 feet, 3/10 inches on the ends. USAV rules require only 6 feet, 6-3/4 inches of free space on each side of the court. At least 23 feet of free space must be above the court's floor, according to FIVB and USAV rules.
Lines
The court's lines must all be 2 inches wide, and they must be drawn in a light color that contrasts with the color of the court. A center line running beneath the net divides the court into two equal parts, each measuring 29 feet, 6 inches by 29 feet, 6 inches. An attack line runs parallel to the center line and 9 feet, 10 inches from it on each side of the court. The attack line divides the court into front and back zones.
Net
Unlike in other net sports, men's and women's competitions in volleyball require nets of different heights. Women play with a net that measures 7 feet, 4-1/8 inches, and men play with a net that measures 7 feet, 11-5/8 inches, according to FIVB rules. The net's height should be measured from the center of the court.
Net Parts
The net must consist of black mesh with horizontal white bands along the top and bottom. Cords passed through holes at either end of the net's white bands fasten the net to the posts, placed 20 to 39 inches outside the sidelines. Two vertical antennae, one on either side of the net, mark the outer limits of the crossing space over the net. The antennae must extend 32 inches above the net. Balls that pass over the net outside the antennae count as out-of-bounds.
Court Temperature
The temperature on the court must not drop below 50 F, according to FIVB rules. For FIVB World Competitions, the temperature must not drop below 61 F and it must not exceed 77 degrees.
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