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How To Build An Outdoor Volleyball Court

Space to Play

The dimensions of a volleyball court are 29 feet., 6 inches wide by 59 feet long, measured from the outside edges of the boundary lines. In addition, you should have 10 feet (more is even better) clear around the boundaries. The result is a complete playing area of 49 feet, 6 inches wide by 79 feet long.

The space above the playing area should be free of obstructions. The playing area should be level and consist of good quality sand to a thickness which prevents players from contacting the underlying surface.

Court Materials

Depending on how well your soil drains overlay the court area with a 1-foot thickness of smooth rounded gravel. Above the gravel, place burlap or landscape fabric to prevent sand from washing through into the base gravel. Deposit one to two feet of beach sand or washed masonry sand over the area and rake level. The more washed the sand is the less dusty it will be.

Poles and Nets

Poles supporting the volleyball net should be made of galvanized metal, treated wood (6 x 6s or larger are preferred with sanded edges, 4 x 4s tend to bend too much) or other material that will withstand tension and not bend or break when stressed. It is also a good idea to pad the poles to protect players using your court.

Outdoor nets usually measure 32 feet long by 39 inches tall. The proper height for a men's net is 7 feet, 11 5/8 inches tall and for women it's 7 feet, 4 inches tall. Aircraft cables with fixed eye loops on both sides should be used on all permanent standing courts. This allows you to padlock your netto your poles. Aircraft cable provides added security since steel cable is much more difficult to cut down than a standard rope cable.