Indoor volleyball is played with two teams of six players on a court divided by a net. Beach volleyball is played with two-player teams on a sand court divided by a net. Indoor volleyball uses a specific rotation for its players, and lines divide the court into front and back rows and service area. Strict rules determine players' roles in indoor volleyball. Beach volleyball doesn't limit its players to specific areas on the court. Beach volleyball courts are a little smaller than indoor courts.
Indoor Court Perimeter
The indoor volleyball playing field includes the court and free zone surrounding it. The rules of USA Volleyball, the governing body for the sport in the U.S., state that the court must be symmetrical, measure 59 feet by 29 feet 6 inches, and be surrounded by a free zone with a minimum distance of 9 feet 10 inches. A centerline divides the court into two equal playing areas and extends beneath the net from sideline to sideline. The centerline belongs to both teams equally. Sidelines, end lines and the centerline lie within the playing field and must be clearly marked.
Indoor Court
The attack line separates front and back rows and lies 10 feet from the centerline on both sides of the court. The backcourt stretches from the attack line to the end line. Players serve within the service area, which is defined by two 6-inch lines marked eight feet behind the end line. The lines are an extension of the sideline and define the width of the service area. The substitution zone lies within the free zone between extensions of the attack lines to the scorer's table. The libero replacement zone is in the free zone closest to the team benches, in the same area as the substitution zone.
Indoor Net
Indoor volleyball uses a 39-inch-high net that stretches 31 feet 6 inches to 33 feet wide. For women, the top of the net is set at 7 feet 4 1/8 inch, and for men the top is at 7 feet 11 5/8 inch high. Antennae, which are 5-feet-11-inch flexible rods, are attached to each side of the net. Antennae are considered to be part of the net and define whether a ball is "in" or "out." Posts supporting the net are placed 20 to 39 inches outside the playing field sidelines. Posts must be rounded and smooth and secured to the ground without wires to prevent injuries.
Beach Court
The beach volleyball court is defined by two sidelines measuring 52 feet 6 inches and two end lines measuring 26 feet 3 inches. The net divides the playing field into two equal courts, but there is no centerline or attack lines. The court is surrounded by a minimum free zone of 9 feet 10 inches. Sidelines and end lines lie within the playing field dimensions. There is no service area, but serves must take place from beyond the end line. Beach volleyball courts must use clean, level sand about 15 inches deep.
Beach Net
Beach volleyball uses a net that is 28 feet long, with padded posts with adjustable antennae. The net height is the same as that of indoor volleyball, and antennae are used in the same manner. Supporting posts must be 2.55 m, rounded and smooth. Posts must be secured to the ground at a distance of 0.7 to 1 m from each sideline. Wires may not be used to secure the posts.
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