What equipment do you need for indoor or outdoor volleyball?

A brief history of volleyball

Volleyball remains a relatively young sport.

The first game of volleyball was played at the very end of the nineteenth century. In 1895, William G. Morgan wanted to create a new sport that would suit young businessmen who found basketball a little too aggressive. He called the sport he devised "mintonette". 

The name did not stick but the sport of volleyball grew and grew in popularity. 

Volleyball was originally an indoor-only game, with beach volleyball being first played in California in the 1920s and the first-ever two-man beach game taking place in 1930.

Today volleyball is played regularly by both elite athletes and amateur enthusiasts. 

• It is estimated that volleyball is second only to basketball in popularity in the US
• 37 million Americans actively enjoy playing volleyball
• It is also one of the world’s most popular sports, with 900 million people participating globally

A volleyball equipment and materials list

Here is a list of the volleyball material and equipment that you may need to play. 

• Volleyball balls
• Volleyball shorts
• Volleyball t-shirts
• Volleyball shoes
• Volleyball braces, sleeves and pads
• Volleyball court
• Volleyball net and poles
• Volleyball penalty cards

Volleyball balls

Volleyballs differ greatly depending on whether they will be used indoors or outdoors. 

While indoor volleyballs are moulded together, outdoor volleyballs are stitched. Typically, indoor volleyballs are made from leather, whereas outdoor balls will usually be made from a composite material that is resistant to water. 

Volleyball shorts

Volleyball shorts need to be supremely comfortable and allow you to move freely and without restriction. 

Spandex is a super-stretchable material that is perfect for your shorts and you may also wish to look for shorts that have moisture-wicking material to keep you dry throughout the game. 

Volleyball t-shirt

Depending on whether you are playing indoor or outdoor, and what the weather is like when you play, you can opt for the classic sleeveless athletic t-shirt or choose a long sleeve sport shirt. 

Whether sleeved or sleeveless, volleyball t-shirts usually have a number on both the front and back and may carry your team’s name and logo too.

Volleyball shoes

Volleyball shoes have a gum rubber sole and are designed for the lateral movement that the sport requires. The middle of the sole is usually made of foam, while the back is more likely to be made from mesh or nylon. 

For those playing recreationally, a normal tennis trainer may well be sufficient, but if you are playing more seriously you will certainly benefit from wearing specially-designed volleyball shoes for men and women.

Volleyball braces, sleeves and pads

Knee pads are the most important protection for volleyball players. With many low balls being hit, you will need to kneel to reach them. Bruising and floor burns can be common. 

While elbow pads aren't as important a consideration as knee pads, many players will still use them for extra padding when making a dive to keep a volleyball in play. Arm sleeves are also sometimes worn for the same reason.

The stress and strain that volleyball can place on your body can be particularly concentrated at the ankles. Ankle injuries are among the most common of all injuries that occur when playing volleyball, which is why many players decide to wear ankle braces for additional support.

Volleyball court

A volleyball court is 60 feet by 30 feet and is divided by a net that is placed over the centre line. 

At the back of each side of the court is the service line. In front of this, ten feet from the net on either side is the attack line. 

The court can be outdoors or indoors and playing surfaces include wood, rubber tile, grass or sand.

Volleyball net and poles

An official volleyball net will measure 32 feet long by 39 inches tall. For men's volleyball, it will be suspended eight feet off the ground, while for women it will be seven feet and four inches. 

The net is held up by poles. Typical volleyball net poles will measure between 10.5 feet and 16 feet in height. Made from steel or aluminium, they are designed to withstand any strains and tension throughout the course of the match. 

Volleyball penalty cards

Volleyball uses yellow and red cards. 

Yellow cards are issued to warn players of bad conduct without a penalty being enforced. Continual misconduct will lead to a red card and a sanction being applied. This may be for their team to lose the point or to lose service if they have possession. 

If the referee holds up both the red and yellow card, then this is a dismissal and the player must leave the court for the rest of the set. 

The perfect volleyball kit for the perfect volleyball workout

Hopefully, you feel confident in selecting the perfect volleyball kit to enjoy the perfect workout.

It is estimated that each player will jump 300 times during a volleyball game and all this running and leaping helps you burn an estimated 120 to 178 calories in just half an hour of competitive play.

See you on the court?