Should I Get a Portable or Permanent Volleyball System?

Volleyball has become one of the most popular participant sports in the world, leading to an increased demand for volleyball systems and equipment. If you are shopping for a volleyball system, you might be wondering which one is the best one for you to buy.

Usage

Should I get a portable or permanent volleyball system?

Volleyball systems come in two main categories: recreational systems used for backyards, beaches and parks, and institutional systems used by schools, businesses and leagues. You must decide whether to opt for a permanent, in-ground volleyball system or a portable system that can go where you go, and can be set up anywhere you might want to play. If the ability to move a volleyball system to different places is important, or your indoor facility cannot install floor sockets, you should look for a system designed for portability.

Portable and In-Ground Systems

First Team makes three types of indoor competition volleyball poles: the Frontier system made from steel; the Astro volleyball system made of lightweight aluminum that is easy to transport; and the Galaxy indoor volleyball system made of titanium so the steel poles are rigid but the system is still lightweight. First Team offers three recreational volleyball systems: Blast, QuickSet and Stellar. QuickSet volleyball poles are entry-level and very economical. The Blast volleyball system is manufactured from 4″x4″ square steel posts and is a great choice for grass or sand courts. The Stellar volleyball set, made to be used either indoors or outdoors, is made with 3 1/2″ diameter aluminum tube.

Finally, for the ultimate in portability, you can find at First Team the RollaBlast and Horizon volleyball systems. The Horizon competition portable volleyball set is for competition level volleyball, and the RollaBlast is made for upper level recreational volleyball. These systems are great for indoor facilities where floor sockets are not wanted or not possible.

Should I get portable or permanent benches for my team?

Permanent in-ground players’ benches that are installed right into the concrete are ideal for baseball dugouts, soccer fields and football or lacrosse fields. A portable bench is the proper choice for a team on the move. Portable benches can be used either indoors or outdoors.

Volleyball Court Lines and Markings

Volleyball is a lot of fun, whether it’s played in a gym, in the backyard, the park or on the beach. But for many, the lines and markings on a volleyball court are confusing. In order to clear up the mystery, consult the following.

Regulation Indoor Courts

Where are the lines for standard indoor volleyball courts?

A regulation indoor volleyball court is 18 meters long by 9 meters wide, with a net traversing the center line. The ball must be hit over a net placed approximately 7.5 feet above the ground for girls and 8 feet above the ground for boys. The poles sticking up from each side of the net signify the court sidelines and are called antennae. Any ball contacting or hit outside the antennae is considered out of bounds. Any player who crosses the center line with any part of his or her body is called for a “fault” penalty.

Three meters from the net on either side of the center line are the attack lines, which separate the frontcourt from the backcourt. Players in the back row may only jump from behind this line–they may land on the other side of the line, as long as they begin their jump from behind the line. This is also referred to as the 3-meter line. The area between net and attack line where front-row players are positioned is referred to as the frontcourt. The backcourt is the area between the attack line and the end line where the players in the back row stand. The service area is the space beyond either end line where a player stands while serving.

Player Positioning

What are the positions in volleyball?

A volleyball team consists of six players, and there are six rotational spots on the court that must be taken during each serve – three in the front row: Left-Front, Center-Front and Right-Front; and three in the back row: Left-Back, Center-Back and Right-Back. The player in the Right-Back spot is the one who will serve to initiate the action.

Volleyball System Care and Maintenance

Whether you are a serious volleyball player or just one who enjoys the sport recreationally, the right volleyball system is out there for you. Competition volleyball systems are made from rigid steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon fiber poles that provide net tensioning that is as tight as a bowstring. They are lightweight and easy to move around and will require the least amount of maintenance, making them the systems that are likely to last the longest. Recreational volleyball systems for parks, playgrounds or yards are more economical but not quite as sturdy, and portable volleyball systems offer the ultimate in convenience when you cannot install floor sockets and need something movable and handy.

Court and Net Components

What are the different court and net components in volleyball?

The different parts of a volleyball system that might require maintenance or eventual replacement include the net antenna, which can be screwed on or fastened with Velcro, net tension straps made of Velcro that provide additional tension to help secure the volleyball net to the standards, cable padding made of split foam, and net-tighteners that hold and apply tension to bottom of net to improve net play. Poles supporting the net come in several materials that withstand tension. Making sure that the system you are considering has sturdy and long-lasting poles on your park or beach volleyball system can make a huge difference. These systems are more expensive, but are built to last longer and will not need to be replaced due to wear, which is a big differentiator when compared to the flimsier net systems found at some retail stores.

Accessories

You can also accessorize your volleyball system with custom pad lettering, net cable covers, drill carts, ball carriers and more.

What are some must-have volleyball accessories?

• Custom pad lettering

• Net cable covers

• Drill carts

• Ball carriers