The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball has rules that govern what players wear during a match to maintain uniformity among team members and keep the athletes safe. These rules help referees tell the difference between the teams, assist scorekeepers in keeping track of individual statistics and prevent players from wearing unnecessary equipment. Everything that a volleyball player wears during a match is part of the uniform and is governed by these rules.
Team Uniforms
Each member of a volleyball team must wear the same uniform while on the floor. The uniform is made up of the jersey, socks and shorts. These items must come in the same color. All players require a number on their jerseys during a competition. Legal numbers are between 1 and 18 except in world competitions when numbers must be 1 to 20. The number must come in a color that contrasts with the jersey. Numbers on the back must be 20 centimeters high and numbers on the chest must be 15 centimeters high. For world competitions, players must wear a number on the right leg of their shorts that is 4 to 6 centimeters in height.
Footwear
Members of a team can wear different shoes during a competition, although they must wear shoes with a rubber or composite sole that does not leave marks on the gym floor. Players must also choose shoes without heels because of their danger to the athletes. World competition disallows predominantly black shoes. Players can play without any shoes as long as they receive permission from an umpire. However, this rule does not apply to world competitions.
Beach Volleyball Uniforms
Competitors wear shorts and bathing suits during a beach volleyball match. Men can sometimes compete without a shirt while women wear bathing suit tops and bottoms. Players wear bathing suits and shorts of the same color with a number on both the top and the bottom. Beach volleyball players cannot wear shoes or socks unless the umpire of the match grants them special permission to do so. Players can wear hats during a beach volleyball match.
Miscellaneous Uniform Rules
Players cannot wear pins, bracelets and casts during an event because these could provide them with a competitive advantage or cause injury if they get caught on something. Players may wear eyeglasses, but this adds to the danger because the glass can break when struck by the ball. Players may change their uniform in the middle of the match so long as they put on another jersey of the same color, number and style of their team.
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