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The Playing Area
The playing area has two parts: the court itself and the free zone around it. Both are rectangular and symmetrical.
The court measures 18 meters long by 9 meters wide (about 59 x 29.5 feet). The free zone around it must be at least 3 meters wide on all sides.
International competitions need more space: 5 meters from sidelines and 6.5 meters from end lines. Most gyms don't have this much room, so rec leagues work with what's available.
The Floor
The surface needs to be flat and uniform. Most professinal indoor courts use high-performance synthetic PVC flooring or vulcanized rubber flooring.
| Floor Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Synthetic | The most common surface for professional indoor volleyball. Provides consistent ball bounce, good traction, and controlled shock absorption. Often modular or roll-out systems approved for competition. |
| Rubber | Offers strong shock absorption and durability. Provides good grip and reduced joint impact, but ball bounce may be less consistent than synthetic or wood. More common in multi-use or training facilities. |
| Wood | Traditional hardwood courts (such as maple). Provides excellent ball response and traction when properly maintained. Requires regular care and is more sensitive to moisture and wear. |
| Tiles | Interlocking sport tiles designed for indoor use. Easy to install and replace, with moderate shock absorption. Ball response and traction depend on tile quality; typically used in recreational or temporary setups. |
Court Lines
All lines are 5 centimeters wide (about 2 inches) and must contrast with the floor color.
| Line | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Sidelines | Mark the long vertical edges of the court |
| End lines | Mark the short horizontal edges (where you serve from behind) |
| Center line | Splits the court into two 9m x 9m halves under the net |
| Attack line | 3 meters from the center line on each side of the court, defines the front zone |
The lines are part of the court. If the ball touches any part of a line, it's in.
Court Zones
Different zones have different rules about what players can do.
Front Zone
The area between the center line and the attack line. Front-row players can attack freely here. Back-row players have restrictions. They can't jump from this zone to hit the ball above net height.
Service Zone
A 9-meter wide area behind each end line. The server must start here when serving. After contact, they can land anywhere.
Substitution Zone
Between the attack line extensions and the scorer's table. This is where players swap in and out during substitutions.
Net and Posts
Net Height
The net sits directly over the center line. Height is measured at the center of the court.
| Level | Height | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Men's | 2.43m | 7'11⅝" |
| Women's | 2.24m | 7'4⅛" |
| Coed (varies) | 2.33-2.43m | 7'7½" - 7'11⅝" |
The net height at both sidelines must match the center. It can't exceed the official height by more than 2 centimeters. In rec leagues, it's a play with what you can get but
Most coed rec leagues the net height varies between 2.33m (7'7½") and men's height (2.43m) or something close to it. Check your league's specific rules. There's no universal coed standard.
Net Structure
The net is 1 meter wide and 9.50 - 10 meters long, made of 10cm square black mesh.
Key parts:
- Top band: White 7cm band with a cable inside to keep it tight
- Bottom band: 5cm band with a rope for tension
- Side bands: White vertical bands (5cm x 1m) directly above each sideline
- Antennas: Red and white striped rods extending 80cm above the net with 10cm strips of contrast colors
Posts
Net posts sit 0.50 to 1.00 meters outside the sidelines.
Requirements:
- 2.55 meters high, preferably adjustable.
- Rounded and smooth (no sharp edges)
- Padded in official competitions
- Fixed to the ground without wires
The Ball
The official game ball that is used in international competitions like in the Olympics, the World Championships, or the Volleyball National League is the Mikasa V200W.
The official game ball used in NCAA volleyball is the Molten V5M5000.
For most rec leagues, the ball used can vary depending on the league. If its bring your own ball, most times a team or player will bring either the Mikasa V200W or the Molten V5M5000 to play with but that's not always the case.
Specifications
The ball must be spherical with a leather or synthetic leather cover. Circumference: 65-67cm. Weight: 260-280g.
| Property | Spec |
|---|---|
| Shape | Spherical |
| Material | Leather or synthetic leather |
| Circumference | 65-67 cm (25.5-26.4 inches) |
| Weight | 260-280 g (9.2-9.9 oz) |
| Pressure | 0.30-0.325 kg/cm² (4.26-4.61 psi) |
| Color | Light color or multi-colored |
Match Balls
All balls used in a match must be identical: same size, weight, pressure, type, and color. You can't switch to a different ball mid-match just because you don't like how one feels.
In rec leagues, if the ball doesn't feel right, its okay to inspect it and use a different ball as long as both teams agree to it.
If looking for a good volleyball to practice or play with, always look for volleyball's that are FIVB approved.
Environmental Conditions
Temperature
Minimum playing temperature is 10°C (50°F). There's no official maximum. That's up to event organizers.
Lighting
| Level | Minimum Lighting |
|---|---|
| General play | 300 lux |
| International competitions | 2000 lux (measured 1m above floor) |
Ceiling and Overhead Obstructions
Official rules require a minimum of 7 meters (23 feet) of free playing space above the court. Some school gyms, rec centers, and community facilities don't meet this requirement. Low ceilings, basketball hoops, scoreboards, and lighting fixtures are common obstacles.
The Standard Rule
Under FIVB rules, a ball is out if it touches the ceiling or any overhead object. Simple as that.
The ball is out when it touches an object outside the court, the ceiling, the walls, or a person not in play.
Rec League Adjustments
Many leagues or organizations (including Volleyball Canada) allow adjusted rules when facilities don't meet the 7-meter ceiling height requirement. These adjustments keep the game playable in less-than-ideal spaces.
Common Adjusted Ceiling Rules
When a league adopts ceiling rules, here's how they typically work:
Ball stays in play if:
- It hits the ceiling on your own side of the court and stays on your side
- Your team can still play it within the three-hit limit
Ball is out if:
- It hits the ceiling and crosses to the opponent's side
- It hits the ceiling on the opponent's side after you hit it
- It hits the ceiling directly after a block and goes to the opponent's side
- It contacts any overhead object outside the court boundaries
If the league doesn't provide this information, usually they go by the standard FIVB rule: ceiling contact = out.