Intercollegiate and international volleyball courts designate a space between the net and attack line for attacking the ball and blocking attacks of other teams. According to USA Volleyball, Federation of International Volleyball and National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, this is the only place players can attack the ball or block opposing attacks.
Dimensions
Courts sanctioned for NCAA and international play measure 59 feet long by 29 1/2 feet wide. The area from the net to the attack line -- set 9 feet, 10 inches back from the net -- is the attack zone. This is the designated area for front-row players to attack the ball and block opposing attacks.
Players
Every player on the court but the libero may rotate through the front row. Both NCAA and USA Volleyball rules prevent the libero, a defensive specialist distinguished by a different color uniform, from playing outside the back row. Coaches will traditionally substitute shorter back-row defensive specialists before they rotate to the front row for taller blockers.
Time of Serve
When the ball is served, players must hold their positions on the court. In section 10.3.1.1 of the NCAA women's volleyball rule book, each front-row player must have "at least part of one foot closer to the center line than the feet of the corresponding back-row player." Section 10.3.2 requires players to line up in their serving order, though they are not required to maintain a particular distance from one another.
Ball Contact
Section 13 of the USA Volleyball rules and Section 15 of the NCAA rule book define an attack as a direct hit of the ball at the opponent that is not a serve or a defensive block. Typically, only front-row players attack the ball as hitters can strike the ball close to the net and better direct their shot. Back-row players may attack the ball as long as they remain behind the attack line.
Net Contact
Front-row players compete at the net, but cannot touch the net on purpose. Section 15.2 of the NCAA rules prohibits players from coming in contact with the rope, antennae or net in a way that interrupts play. Players can make contact with the net when the ball is struck with so much force that the net rebounds and touches them.
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