Volleyball Court Requirements

Volleyball is a team sport typically played with six players on each side of a net. In addition to being a popular high school and college athletic event, it is also one of the most popular events at the Summer Olympics every four years. From its origins inside the gymnasium, the sport has spun off a very popular beach version that typically pits a pair of two-player teams against each other. The basic game has undergone rules changes over the years, but it is still contested inside the gym on a standard court.

  1. Court dimensions

    • The court is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide and must have a ceiling clearance of at least 23 feet. The volleyball court is surrounded by an area about 10 feet wide through which players can pass to play the ball. The line that surrounds the court is considered in play, so a ball that hits the line is considered in.

    Attack Line

    • Each side of the court is divided by a line that sits 10 feet back from the net. This line is typically called the attack line, and it divides players into a front row and a back row. The line is critical because the rules govern the types of hitting that can take place in front of and behind the attack line.

    The Net

    • The court is divided in half by the net, which is attached to standards that are set 36 feet apart. The net is set at different heights for men's and women's play. The top of the men's net sits at 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches above the center of the court while the top of the women's net must be 7 feet 4 1/8 inches above the court.

    Antennae

    • An antenna attached to the top of the net at each sideline is used to mark the vertical edge of the court. When a ball is hit over the net, it must pass between the antennae (which extend theoretically all the way to the ceiling). A ball that hits one of the antennae is considered out.