Volleyball court construction; a step-by-step guide to sizes, materials, and implementation

Do you dream of building volleyball courts? Aligned with international tournament standards, the process of designing and implementing volleyball courts requires expertise and precision to ensure the best results. We provide you with everything you need to know about the cost of building a volleyball court, the types of volleyball court flooring, and the importance of choosing specialized court construction companies. We will also address the technical aspects related to volleyball court dimensions and the maintenance requirements of volleyball courts to ensure their sustainability and quality in the long term. Read on to discover how you can turn your dream of owning a perfect volleyball court into a reality.

Steps to build volleyball courts

The steps to build volleyball courts include several basic stages, whether you are planning to build an indoor or outdoor court. Some details vary depending on the type of court and flooring, but the general steps are similar:

1. Planning and site selection for volleyball courts

The planning and site selection stage is the cornerstone of a volleyball court construction project, as the success of the project largely depends on the accuracy of this step. It requires careful study to ensure that the court is safe, effective, and sustainable in the long term. This stage in building volleyball courts includes the following:

• Determining the type of court and dimensions
  First and foremost, you must determine the type of volleyball court you intend to build. Are you looking for:
  1. Indoor volleyball court: Used for official matches and training in all weather conditions, requiring specialized flooring and a lighting and ventilation system.
  2. Outdoor volleyball court with a solid surface: A popular choice for schools and clubs, which can use surfaces such as acrylic or tartan.
• Determining the dimensions:
  1. A standard volleyball court is 18 meters long and 9 meters wide.
  2. When building volleyball courts, a free zone of at least 3 meters on all sides must be provided around the court to ensure player safety and free movement.
  3. Space for additional facilities you may desire, such as spectator seating, court lighting, or storage areas.
• Site study and evaluation:
  After determining the dimensions, the process of carefully studying and evaluating the site begins when building volleyball courts:
  1. Leveling: The site must be perfectly level, as any unevenness in the surface can negatively affect the quality of play and increase the risk of player injuries. This step may require excavation and backfilling to ensure the ground is level.
  2. Drainage: Water drainage is one of the most important challenges, especially in outdoor courts. A good water drainage system must be ensured to prevent water accumulation, which can damage the surface and impede play. In some cases, underground drainage systems may need to be installed.
  3. Obstacles: Any natural or artificial obstacles must be removed from the site, such as trees, rocks, or old structures, which may hinder player movement or pose a risk to them.
  4. Permits: Before commencing any construction work, it is essential to obtain the necessary permits from the relevant government or municipal authorities. Ignoring this step may lead to fines or project suspension.

2. Preparing the base and surface

The stage of preparing the base and surface is one of the most important stages in building a volleyball court, as it directly affects the quality of the court, its durability, and player safety. The details of this stage vary significantly depending on the type of flooring to be used for either indoor or outdoor courts with solid surfaces (acrylic, tartan, parquet). These courts require a solid and level base to ensure the stability of the final flooring:

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• Ground leveling:
  The ground is precisely leveled, and any unevenness or obstacles are removed. This step is crucial to ensure that the final surface is perfectly flat.
• Concrete or asphalt base:
  1. Concrete base: In most cases, a solid concrete base is poured over the leveled ground. The concrete must be of high quality and poured to an appropriate thickness to withstand loads and repeated use. In outdoor courts, the concrete base is designed with a slight slope (usually 0.5%) to ensure surface water drainage.
  2. Asphalt base: Instead of concrete, a layer of asphalt can be used as a base for outdoor courts. The asphalt is well compacted to create a stable surface.
• Insulation and absorption layers (optional but recommended):
  Above the solid base, additional layers can be implemented to enhance performance and player safety:
  1. Insulation layers: To prevent moisture from the ground from seeping into the final surface.
  2. Shock-absorbing layers: Such as foam or granular rubber layers, which reduce the impact of shocks on players’ joints and provide greater comfort during play. These layers are especially necessary in professional courts.
• Final surface:
  After preparing the base and sub-layers, the final court surface is applied:
  1. Acrylic flooring: Consists of several layers of acrylic materials applied directly to the concrete or asphalt base. These floors provide a durable, slip-resistant, and easy-to-maintain surface, available in multiple colors.
  2. Tartan (polyurethane) flooring: Is a popular choice for sports courts. It consists of layers of rubber granules (SBR and EPDM) mixed with polyurethane binders. It offers high flexibility, excellent shock absorption, and resistance to weather factors, making it ideal for outdoor and indoor courts.
  3. Wooden parquet flooring: Primarily used in indoor courts. It provides a smooth, aesthetic surface suitable for sports that require good ball bounce. It is implemented over a concrete base with insulation and shock-absorbing layers.

3. Net installation for the volleyball court

The net is the central element of a volleyball court and must be installed correctly to ensure its proper height and tension:

• Installing the posts:
  1. Location: Two strong posts are installed on either side of the court, outside the court boundaries at a distance ranging from 0.5 to 1 meter from the sidelines. These posts must be sturdy enough to withstand the strong tension of the net.
  2. Installation: The posts are permanently fixed into the ground using strong concrete bases, or heavy portable bases can be used in indoor courts that require flexibility in use. Ensure that the posts are perfectly straight and stable.
  3. Adjustable height: It is preferable that the posts are equipped with a mechanism that allows for adjusting the net height, as the net height varies between men, women, and different age groups.
• Net installation:
  1. Specifications: The net must be made of strong, weather-resistant material (for outdoor courts), and have openings small enough to prevent the ball from passing through. The official net length is 9.5 to 10 meters and its width is one meter.
  2. Official height: The net height is adjusted as follows:
  3. Men: 2.43 meters (7 feet 11 and 5/8 inches) from the center of the court.
  4. Women: 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 and 1/8 inches) from the center of the court.
  5. Tension: The net is tightly stretched between the posts using a strong tensioning system. The net must be evenly taut along its length to prevent any sagging in the middle.
  6. Antennas: Two antennas are installed on either side of the net, directly above the sidelines. Each antenna extends 80 cm above the net and is considered part of the net for playing purposes. Any ball that touches the antenna is considered out of bounds.

4. Defining the court lines

Court lines are essential for defining playing areas and applying game rules. Lines must be clear, durable, and meet specifications:

• Materials: Special paints for sports surfaces are used, or durable adhesive tapes (in some temporary cases). Paints must be resistant to wear and weather factors, and provide a non-slip surface.
• Dimensions: Lines are precisely defined according to official court dimensions:
  1. Sidelines: 18 meters long, defining the sides of the court.
  2. Endlines: 9 meters long, defining the end of each half court.
  3. Center Line: Divides the court into two equal halves (9 meters for each half).
  4. Attack Line: Located 3 meters from the center line in each half court.
• Width: All lines must be 5 centimeters wide.
• Accuracy: It is advisable to use precise measuring tools (such as a laser tape measure) to ensure that all dimensions and angles are perfectly correct. Any measurement error can affect the fairness of play.

5. Fence and additional features construction

After completing the base, surface, net installation, and line marking, comes the stage of adding features that enhance the court’s safety, functionality, and aesthetics. These elements, although seemingly secondary, are essential to provide a comprehensive and comfortable playing experience for both players and spectators and must be considered when building volleyball courts. We explain all these elements as follows:

• Fence installation:
  Installing a fence around the court is a crucial step, especially in outdoor courts, for several reasons:
  1. Player and spectator safety: The fence prevents balls from leaving the playing area quickly, reducing the risk of injury to spectators or passersby, and protecting players from having to repeatedly leave the court to retrieve balls.
  2. Property protection: The fence helps protect the court from unauthorized entry by animals or people, and contributes to preserving the equipment inside.
  3. Boundary definition: The fence provides clear boundaries for the court, making it more organized and professional.
  4. Fence specifications: It is recommended that the fence height be at least 4 meters (approximately 13 feet) to ensure effective containment of flying balls. Different materials can be used for the fence, such as plastic-coated metal mesh (Chain-link fence) or solid mesh panels.
• Volleyball court lighting
  If the court will be used during evening hours or in low light conditions, installing an appropriate lighting system is crucial when building volleyball courts:
  1. Optimal visibility: The lighting system must be designed to provide even and bright illumination over the entire court area, avoiding thick shadows or glare that may affect players’ vision.
  2. Types of lighting: High-efficiency LED spotlights are commonly used in volleyball courts due to their long lifespan, low energy consumption, and ability to provide strong and clear lighting.
  3. Post locations: Lighting poles are usually installed around the perimeter of the court at a sufficient height to ensure even light distribution and avoid obstructing vision. These poles must be strong and weather-resistant.
  4. Lighting standards: For professional courts, specific standards for light intensity (lux) exist to ensure playing quality and television broadcasting if the court is designated for that purpose.
• Equipping spectator seating and ancillary areas:
  To enhance the user experience, additional facilities can be added depending on the budget and purpose of the court:
  1. Spectator seating: Simple benches or integrated grandstands can be installed to accommodate the audience, making the court more attractive for use in matches or events.
  2. Coaches’ and substitutes’ area: Designating a shaded area and comfortable seating for coaches and substitute players enhances the professionalism of the court.
  3. Restrooms and changing rooms: In large facilities or courts that host a large number of users, providing clean restrooms and changing rooms with showering facilities is essential.
  4. Storage areas: Providing a safe space to store balls, spare nets, and maintenance equipment helps maintain court organization and protect equipment.
• Routine court maintenance
  Finally, to ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of the court, a routine maintenance program must be planned after completing the volleyball court construction stages:
  1. Surface cleaning: Regularly clean the court surface of dust, leaves, and any obstacles.
  2. Net and post inspection: Ensure the stability of the posts and the tension of the net, and repair any damage as quickly as possible.
  3. Line renewal: Repaint or renew faded lines to ensure their clarity.
  4. Drainage system inspection: Ensure the effectiveness of the drainage system, especially after heavy rains in outdoor courts.

Key factors for volleyball court quality

To ensure high quality when building volleyball courts, whether for recreational or professional use, several essential factors must be focused on, working together to provide a safe, enjoyable, and sustainable playing environment. Here are all the factors that must be considered when building volleyball courts:

• Appropriate flooring:
  1. Perfect flatness: When building volleyball courts, the flooring must be perfectly flat to avoid any obstacles or slopes that affect ball and player movement.
  2. Shock absorption: Especially in courts with hard surfaces (acrylic, tartan, parquet), the flooring must provide good shock absorption properties to protect players’ joints and reduce the risk of injuries.
  3. Slip resistance: The flooring must be designed to provide sufficient grip to prevent slipping while allowing for fast player movement.
  4. Durability and wear resistance: To ensure the longevity of the court and its ability to withstand repeated use and different weather conditions (for outdoor courts).
• Correct dimensions and layout:
  1. Standard dimensions: Strict adherence to official court dimensions (18×9 meters) to ensure fair play and compliance with rules.
  2. Sufficient free zone: Providing a safe and adequate space (at least 3 meters on each side) around the court to allow for player movement without colliding with obstacles.
• Net and post quality:
  1. Proper tension: The net must be tautly and evenly stretched at the correct height (2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women).
  2. Strong and stable posts: The posts must be durable and securely fixed to withstand net tension and provide permanent stability.
• Line clarity:
  1. Visibility and consistency: Lines must be clear, accurate, and of uniform width (5 cm), and clearly visible to distinguish between different playing areas.
  2. Durability: Lines must be resistant to wear and fading to maintain their clarity over time.
• Good drainage (for outdoor courts):
  Preventing water accumulation: An effective drainage system ensures that water does not accumulate on the surface after rain, which preserves the quality of the flooring and prevents play from stopping.
• Sufficient lighting (for night use):
  Providing strong and evenly distributed lighting over the entire court to avoid shadows and ensure clear visibility for players and the ball at all times.
• Fence and supporting facilities (if applicable):
  1. Safety: An appropriate fence around the court to ensure spectator safety and prevent balls from leaving the court.
  2. Comfort: Providing supporting facilities such as spectator seating or player seating areas enhances the overall court experience.