Volleyball can be enjoyed by recreational players or serious athletes ranging from sand to court volleyball. Regardless of your volleyball skill level, safety is the top priority of every player, coach and fan. A commonly debated topic for volleyball equipment safety is the weighted base. While there are safety concerns with weighted base volleyball sets, sometimes they are essential considering the playing conditions.
Function
The main function of weighted volleyball sets is to ensure the integrity of the game and court measurements. With the added weight, the poles are able to support the volleyball net so it stays at the proper height and position. For example, a standard volleyball court measures 60 feet long by 30 feet wide, but without the proper equipment, these measurements could potentially change.
Stability
Volleyball equipment and the nets must be stable otherwise there is another safety concern if the net system falls on other players during play. Some coaches and team managers stay away from non-weighted or cheap bases that don't have the durability or rigidity of weighted bases. As a general rule, volleyball sets require about 10 lbs. of weight on each pole for optimal stability.
Padding
As players are running around and chasing the volleyball, they can potentially run into the weighted base. The weighted base, however, doesn't have any give and can cause serious head or neck injuries. Adding padding around the weighted base can help to absorb and cushion the impact. You can typically find padding that easily wraps around the net system and matches your team colors.
Safety Standards
There are specific safety standards in place to reduce the potential for injuries due to weighted base volleyball sets. For example, any additional guy wires attached to the weighted base must have bright colors that can be seen easily. Any other anchors or lines must be free of sharp edges and buried at least 12 to 18 inches underground.
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