How to Build an Outside Volleyball Court

If you are an avid volleyball player, building your own court in your backyard will not only help you train but will provide you and your friends with the luxury of playing whenever you want. Building your own volleyball court will require a space of 50 feet by 80 feet. Although you can build smaller courts, this is the recommended standard for an American beach volleyball court.

Things You'll Need

  • Metal support beams
  • Shovel
  • Concrete
  • Perforated drainage pipe
  • Smooth rounded gravel
  • Beach sand
  • Rake
  • Volleyball net
  • Brightly colored tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure out the dimensions of the volleyball court. The court should be located in an area free of trees or other obstructions. You should add a safety area that extends 10 feet all around the court. Be sure to include this in your measurements.

    • 2

      Excavate the court area to a depth of 1 1/2 to 3 feet.

    • 3

      Install the support beams for the volleyball net. They should be located at equal distance on either side of the midpoint of the court. Dig two holes on either side and fill them with wet concrete. Insert the poles and allow them to dry. Use support beams, such as two-by-fours, to hold the poles in place; this will keep your poles straight until they dry properly. The poles should later be padded to prevent any in-game injuries.

    • 4

      Install a drainage ditch to properly dispose of rain water. The ditch should be installed at the lowest point of the court. Use a piece of perforated pipe and lay it at the low point. One end should be capped and the other should lead outside the boundaries of the court to a grassy area or, if possible, a drainage ditch. It is very important to install drainage to avoid becoming swamped and muddy when it rains.

    • 5

      Lay a layer of smooth rounded gravel over the court. The gravel should be 1 foot in thickness. Cover the gravel with beach sand until the court is level with the ground.

    • 6

      Use a rake to smooth the sand level. Hang up your volleyball net to the support beams and you are ready to play. Lay brightly colored tape in the appropriate areas to designate the boundary line.