Volleyball is a highly popular sport worldwide, both for recreational and competitive purposes. The popularity of beach volleyball in particular has exploded during the 1990s, and it was included as an Olympic sport in 1996. Other than pool volleyball nets, all other volleyball nets are the same length.
Indoor Net
Nets used for indoor volleyball are all 32 feet long. The playing court for indoor volleyball is the same at all levels of play, including scholastic play. The nets are also a standard size for all levels of indoor play. When an indoor court is constructed, the standards -- or the poles that hold the net in place -- are to be 36 feet apart, and 3 feet from either sideline. Tie-off ropes, cables or straps are used to attach the net to the poles and tighten the net to its proper height.
Outdoor Net
Nets used for outdoor volleyball are also 32 feet long. The International Volleyball Federation official beach volleyball court size is slightly smaller than the indoor court size, but the net length is the same. The only real difference between indoor and outdoor nets is that the outdoor and beach nets are made of slightly different materials -- usually mildew-resistant stitching and vinyl. Outdoor nets are fastened to the poles in the same manner as indoor nets.
Pool Net
Nets used for playing volleyball in pools come in a wide variety of lengths based on the size of the pool in which they are used. They are available from 10 feet to 22 feet long, in increments of 2 feet. Pool volleyball is not an officially sanctioned sport, so there are no standards for court dimensions or net size.
Other Net Measurements
The physical height of a volleyball net is typically 36 inches for indoor play and pool play, but 39-inch nets are available. Outdoor nets are 39 inches. The playing height of the net varies for men's and women's play. In men's play, the net height is 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches, measured at the center of the court, from the floor to the bottom of the net. For women's play, the net is 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches, measured the same way. For co-ed play, the men's measurement is the standard.
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