Volleyball court
A rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
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Overview
A volleyball court is a rectangular area divided into two equal halves by a high net. On each side an attack line separates the front-court from the back-court and governs where back-row players may attack the ball.
Indoor courts use wood or synthetic surfaces, while beach volleyball is played on sand with a slightly smaller court and no attack line.
Good to know
- The net is set above a player's reach, with different standard heights for men's and women's play.
- The attack line marks where back-row players must take off from behind to attack the ball.
- A serve is struck from behind the end line into the opponent’s half of the court.
- Beach courts are a little smaller than indoor courts and have no attack line.
Where it’s used
Sports that use volleyball court:
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Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- VolleyballBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Volleyball learning path.
- Sports hallBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Volleyball learning path.
- Hard courtBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Volleyball learning path.
- WoodBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Volleyball learning path.
- SandBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Volleyball learning path.
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Equipment
- VolleyballA soft, inflated ball struck with the hands and arms in volleyball.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
Playing surfaces
- Hard courtA rigid acrylic, concrete or asphalt court that gives a true, consistent, medium-paced bounce — the standard multi-use outdoor surface.
- WoodAn indoor sprung timber or parquet floor — grippy, consistent and lightly cushioned; the classic surface for indoor court sports.
- SandLoose beach sand: a soft, shifting, energy-sapping surface with no true bounce that rewards balance and footwork, used for beach sports and conditioning.
- ClayA soft, granular racquet-sport surface of crushed brick, stone or shale that slows the ball, gives a high bounce and lets players slide into shots.
Techniques
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
- Volleyball DigA defensive contact that keeps a hard-driven ball in play by passing it up off the forearms, usually from a low position.
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
- Badminton ClearAn overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep to the opponent's back court, resetting the rally or buying time.
- Chest PassA two-handed pass thrown directly from chest height in a straight line to a teammate, the most basic pass in basketball and netball.
Positions
- LiberoThe libero is a defensive volleyball specialist who wears a contrasting shirt, plays only in the back row, and cannot attack the ball above the height of the net.
- Outside hitterThe outside hitter attacks from the left side of the net and is often a volleyball team’s main scoring option.
- SetterThe setter is volleyball’s playmaker, taking the team’s second contact and delivering accurate sets for hitters to attack.
- OppositeThe opposite is a volleyball attacker who plays on the right side of the net, opposite the setter in the rotation, and is often a key scorer.
- Middle blockerThe middle blocker plays in the centre of the net, leading the team’s blocking and attacking with fast, quick sets.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Facility
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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