In this part of our guide, we will discuss the equipment, gear, and accessories used in volleyball and include links to places where they can be found.
In volleyball, two teams of six players each try to score points by hitting a ball over a net into the opposing team's court, aiming to ground the ball on their opponent's side while preventing the ball from touching the ground in their court. Originating in the late 19th century, it's played both indoors and on outdoor sand courts, where it is known as beach volleyball.
The game will be covered in more detail in our Sports & Recreation section. Since this is the shopping area, we will focus on volleyball products here.
For recreational volleyball, not much is required beyond the ball and a net. For that matter, I have seen backyard volleyball played with a clothesline rather than a net. However, competitive play requires a bit more than that.
The primary equipment includes the volleyball, net, poles, antennae, boundary lines, and court. Additionally, players often wear specialized gear such as knee pads, shoes, and uniforms designed for optimal performance.
The volleyball court is rectangular, measuring 18 meters in length and 9 meters in width. It is divided into two halves by a net, set to a height of 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women. The net is secured by poles on either side of the court, which must be padded for player safety. Antennae are attached to the net to help the officials judge if a ball has crossed outside the legal boundaries. The boundary lines mark the court's perimeter, with an attack line set 3 meters from the net on each side, defining the front and backcourt areas.
The volleyball itself is usually made of synthetic leather and measures around 65-67 centimeters in circumference, weighing 260-280 grams. Volleyballs are inflated to a pressure of 0.3-0.325 kg/cm.
Players typically wear a uniform that consists of a jersey and shorts. Jerseys are made of lightweight, breathable materials to keep players cool during the game. Knee pads are essential for protection against dives and falls. Volleyball shoes have non-slip soles and ample cushioning to provide traction and support on indoor courts.
There are variations of the game, mainly for recreational play. These include beach volleyball, sitting volleyball, and indoor volleyball. Played on the sand with teams of two players each, beach volleyball requires little more than a portable net and ball, while sitting volleyball is designed for people with disabilities and is played on a smaller court with a lower net.
Companies that specialize in producing high-quality volleyball equipment and gear, or in which a significant part of its business is in volleyball products, include ASICS, Mikasa, Molten, and Tachikara. However, there are plenty of others.
These and other manufacturers or retailers providing volleyball products are appropriate resources for this category, along with websites offering product reviews or comparisons of volleyball products.
Recommended Resources
All Volleyball is an online retailer that offers a wide range of volleyball gear, equipment, and apparel for men and women. The company provides everything from jerseys and shoes to training aids and nets, catering to volleyball players of all levels. The store also features custom team packages and offers discounts on club packages. Shoppers may browse by product type, teams and club packages, women's products, men's products, by brand, or special offers. Quote requests may be made.
https://www.allvolleyball.com/
Epic Sports offers equipment, gear, apparel, and accessories for several sports, including baseball, cheer, football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and volleyball. Its volleyball product catalog includes a full range of volleyball products, which are featured here and made available for purchase online. Other resources include guides for buying balls, gear, and uniforms and general information about the sport, such as rules, a history, uniform decoration, tips, and drills.
https://volleyball.epicsports.com/
Founded in Los Angeles, this company provides a wide range of volleyball equipment and supplies, including school uniforms and equipment to clubs, high schools, junior colleges, and universities nationwide. Its online inventory can be browsed by product or manufacturer. Products specially designed for men, women, and junior players, along with closeouts and novelty items, are available for browsing. Orders may be placed online by fax or purchase order. Contacts are posted.
https://www.realvolleyball.com/
Volleyball World is a trusted source for accurate and up-to-date FIVB men's volleyball rankings. Its ranking system provides a view of the standings of national teams across the globe. Its official store offers volleyball gear and merchandise. Through its online product catalog, shoppers can find a variety of products, including jerseys, apparel, accessories, and other items for men, women, and children, offering worldwide shipping and special promotions from time to time.
https://shop.volleyballworld.com/
Under Armour has a strong presence in volleyball, offering a range of gear and apparel specifically designed for the sport. The company hosts the UA Next All-America Game Week, an annual event showcasing the best high school volleyball players in the country. Shoppers can browse by gender, age group, product category, color, size range, fit, or price, and purchases may be made online. Outlet sales and a gift guide, store locator, and affiliate program are also available.
https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/c/sports/volleyball/
Volleyball Town is Canada's largest online volleyball store. With locations in Saval and Saint-Hubert, Quebec, and Ottawa, Ontario, the company's web store includes several selections of volleyballs, bags, footwear, protective gear, apparel, and court equipment, as well as products for beach volleyball, and clearance items, which may be purchased online or at its stores. Registered customers can maintain a wishlist and access customer information and orders. Contacts are included.
http://volleyballtown.ca
