A volleyball court must meet specific requirements in order to be considered official by USA Volleyball, the sport's governing body in the United States. For Olympic or Federation Inernationale de Volleyball (FIVB) matches, those requirements differ slightly, as do the specifications for indoor and sand courts.
Indoor Volleyball Court
The playing area includes the court and the free zone surrounding the court. The playing court measures 59 feet by 29 feet, 6 inches. The free zone must be at least 9 feet, 10 inches on all sides. The free space above the playing area must be free from obstructions and be at least 23 feet in height from the playing surface. FIVB courts require at least 16 feet of free zone and 41 feet of free space above the playing area.
The playing surface must be flat, uniform and free from dangerous areas. The surface cannot be slippery or rough.
All lines on the court must be 2 inches wide and of a light color which is easily discernible from the color of the court. FIVB rules require the lines to be white. Two sidelines and two end lines mark the playing court; each is drawn inside the playing court's dimensions. The center line divides the playing court into two equal courts measuring 29 feet, 6 inches by 29 feet, 6 inches each. Each court has an attack line 9 feet, 10 inches from the center line.
A net is placed vertically over the center line. The top of the net must measure 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches for men and 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches for women. The height is measured from the center of the playing court and must be the same all the way across the center line.
Sand Volleyball Court
The playing area includes the court and the free zone surrounding the court. The playing court measures 52 feet, 6 inches by 26 feet, 3 inches. The free zone must be at least 9 feet, 10 inches on all sides. The free space above the playing area must be free from obstructions and be at least 23 feet high. FIVB courts must have at least 16 feet of free zone and 41 feet of free space above the playing area.
The terrain must be composed of leveled sand, as flat and uniform as possible, and free of rocks and shells or anything which could potentially injure the players. The sand must be 15 3/4 inches deep on FIVB competition courts.
All lines on the court must be 2 3/8 inches wide. Two sidelines and two end lines mark the playing court. The lines should be ribbons made of resistant material in a color which contrasts the color of the sand. Any exposed anchors should be a soft, flexible material for safety purposes.
A net is placed vertically over the center of the court. The height of the net should be 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches for men and 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches for women.
Net Structure
The net for an indoor volleyball court is 39 inches wide and 31 feet, 6 inches to 33 feet long, made of 4-inch square black mesh. At the net's top, a horizontal band (2 3/4 inches) made of two-fold white canvas is sewn along the full length. The ends of the net have holes through which a cord passes through to affix the net to a post on either side of the court. The posts must be 20 to 39 inches outside the sidelines, each at an equal distance.
The net for a sand volleyball court is 39 inches wide and 27 feet, 10 1/2 inches long, made of 4-inch square black mesh. At the net's top and bottom, a horizontal band (2 1/2 to 4 inches) made of two-fold canvas is sewn along the full length. The ends of the net have holes through which a cord passes through to affix the net to a post on either side of the court. The posts must be 27 to 39 inches outside the sidelines, each at an equal distance.
An antenna made of fiberglass or a similar flexible material should be attached to the outer edge of each side band on the net, which lines up with the sidelines. The antennae should be 5 feet, 11 inches long. The top 32 inches of each antenna should extend above the net.
Member Comments