How to Set Up a College Volleyball Net

College volleyball competitions use two net heights, one for men and one for women. The men's height is 7 feet, 11-5/8 inches and the women's is 7 feet, 4-1/8 inches. In all other ways--material, placement, support, safeguards--net set-up is the same. Modern gymnasium floors typically are equipped with holes for volleyball post placement. The holes are covered for other events in the gym by collapsible covers.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 net posts
  • 2 antennae
  • Measuring tape
  • Post cranking mechanism
  • 2 safety mats
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open the two collapsible post covers on the gym floor by inserting a screwdriver or similar tool into the slotted area of the cover and pulling up. The covers should rise to a 90-degree angle to the floor.

    • 2

      Set the poles into the holes. Typically, poles will have a small hole on each side for the cranking mechanism. The inside hole is for raising the pole and the outside hole is for tightening the net.

    • 3

      Hook the net onto the poles. There is a metal cable running through the top of the net and a similar cable at the bottom. The ends of the cables have loops that attach to hooks extending from the tops and midpoints of the poles.

    • 4

      Put the crank mechanism into the inside hole of each pole--one at a time--and raise the poles to the correct height. Use the tape measure to measure the net from the direct center and top of the net to the floor. The correct height (as noted above) is different for men and women.

    • 5

      Tighten the net by putting the crank mechanism into the outside holes and turning until the net is taut enough that a ball tossed into it will hang for a moment before dropping. Too tight a net will not give players enough time to play the ball off the net, while a loose net can catch the ball.

    • 6

      Place one antenna into each end of the net. The antennae typically come with velcro strips that wrap around the net vertically to set the antennae in place. The antennae should line up with the outside of the sidelines, so a ball passing inside the antennae is still in play. The antennae should rise 2-1/2 feet over the net.

    • 7

      Attach the safety mats. These wrap around the posts and are sealed with velcro strips. They should cover from the bottom of the pole to just below the net.