A List of Volleyball Equipment

Volleyball is a fast-paced team sport with two very distinct identities. Indoor and beach volleyball are both played on a court. The primary objective in both indoor and beach volleyball is to prevent the ball from bouncing in your team's half of the court while trying to make it land in the other team's court.

The Ball

The type of ball required in volleyball depends on the type and level of volleyball you play. Beach volleyballs and indoor volleyballs vary in size, weight and composition. Beach volleyball is played with two players on a smaller sand court with a larger, lighter ball, while indoor volleyball is played with six players on a larger court, with a heavier, faster ball made of leather.

Net & Poles

The net divides the volleyball court into two halves. The height of the net varies based on the age of the players and the surface being played on. An indoor net is 7 feet 11 5/8 inches in height for men and 7 feet 4 1/8 inches for women. Beach volleyball nets are hung at the same height. In addition to the nets, and the poles from which they are hung, protective padding is required to surround these structures to ensure player safety in case of collision.

Knee Pads

Indoor volleyball is tough on the knees. Most courts are on wooden gymnasium floors, making knee protection a must. Knee pads come in two traditional styles. Small, flatter knee pads are worn by beginning players and sometimes by the setter. These players do not traditionally dig, or dive, for the ball repeatedly. Defensive players, who dive frequently, often prefer the "bubble" style of knee pad. These full-coverage pads are often made of shock absorbing memory foam to prevent injury.

Training for Success

Creative inventions promise to improve technique. While no one gadget can create a better player, when used in conjunction with expert coaching, training tools can be an effective way to correct flaws in the execution of many basic volleyball moves. The "Volleyball Pass Rite System" is a simple system of rubber bands paired with wrist and ankle cuffs which restrict players arm motion to prevent over-swinging while bumping the ball. Spike trainers are used to improve the approach and execution of the spike. Various incarnations of the spike trainer exist, though they all consist of a ball suspended from a pole secured to a base. The height of the ball is adjusted to simulate the different game-time scenarios.