Rising Above: The Crucial Measure of Net Height

Last Updated: September 25, 2023

Volleyball is one of the most popular sports worldwide, enjoying a massive fanbase. However, a lot of volleyball enthusiasts are unaware that there are different net heights.

If you are one of such individuals, you are in the right place.

Even though the volleyball governing body (FIVB) has set the official rules concerning net height, the net’s actual height during a game varies depending on various circumstances, such as the court, age, and gender of the players.

In this article I will review different net heights in various game settings such as indoor, beach, youth, outdoor, and sitting volleyball games.

Indoor Volleyball Net Height

The most common height of an indoor volleyball net is 7ft 11 ⅝ inches (2.43 m). However, it is not fixed and final. At different levels of playing volleyball, the height is decreased depending on the age of the players and other factors.

Men’s Indoor Volleyball Net height

The net height for men’s volleyball games is normally set at the standard height of 7ft 11 ⅝ inches. But it is slightly lowered in levels where the individuals playing are older than 54 years.

The table below summarizes the height of volleyball net for men’s games at different levels.

Women’s Indoor Volleyball Net Height

For women’s indoor volleyball, the net height is not set at the standard and most common height. At most levels, it is 7ft 4 ⅛  inches (2.24 m), lower than the standard in a men’s indoor volleyball game.

For games where the women are over 54 years of age, the net height is lowered.

The table below summarizes the net height for women’s volleyball games at different levels.

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Beach Volleyball Net Height

Just like in the indoor volleyball games, the standard height for a beach volleyball net is 7ft 11 ⅛  inches, and 7ft 4 ⅛  inches for men and women, respectively. The heights change depending on gender and age, as indicated in the following tables.

The college, professional, and Olympic levels have the same net heights in both the men’s and women’s categories. At the boys’ and girls’ levels, it is lowered up to 6 ft 6 ¾ inches.

As such, it is inevitable that as you grow, the height of the net will increase. So, to adequately prepare for a beach volleyball net height change, you must practice hitting the ball to certain spots perfectly. This will help you have more control, which is essential to being a great beach volleyball player.

Youth Volleyball Net Height

The youths’ volleyball net height also changes depending on their age and gender. For boys, the lowest and highest height is 7 feet and 7 feet 4 ⅛ inches, respectively, while for girls, the lowest and highest height is 6 feet 6 ¾ inches and 7 feet 4 ⅛ inches.

The tables below give a breakdown of the categories.

The heights for the boys’ and girls’ volleyball nets are the same for players below 10 years old. Nonetheless, younger players can get accustomed to the standard net height of 7 ft 4 ⅛ inches to make their transition to higher levels easier.

Also read: Volleyball Through Time: A Brief History You Should Know

Outdoor Volleyball Net Height

The net height for outdoor volleyball games is not universally agreed upon, but many leagues follow the beach volleyball net height standard. As such, it is 7 ft 11 ⅝ inches and 7 ft 4 ⅛ inches for men’s and women’s outdoor volleyball, respectively.

In a 9-man volleyball, it is 7 ft 8 ½ inches, a unique net height. The 9-man is a volleyball variation, played with each team having nine players and the court size is 10 by 20 meters.

Sitting Volleyball Net Height

The net height in a sitting volleyball game, according to the International Paralympic Committee, is 1.15 meters and 1.05 meters for men and women, respectively.(1) This approximates about 3 feet from the ground to the net top.

The dimensions of a sitting volleyball court are 10 meters by 6 meters, with each side having a 2-meter attack line.

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Conclusion

The standard net height for most of the volleyball games is 7 ft, 11 ⅝ inches, and 7 ft 4 ⅛ inches for men and women, respectively. However, in various setups, this height can be changed to suit the players depending on the age and level of play.

The lowest net height is in the sitting volleyball, whose net is around 3 feet from the ground surface.

If playing at a level whose net level is below the standard height, you can always practice using a net higher than recommended. This helps you become a better player, easily play with your recommended net height, and smoothly transition to the higher net.

Nonetheless, the height of the net shouldn’t hinder a successful volleyball career. Ensure you have the right skills and determination to succeed, and you’ll be a force to reckon with.