The playing area includes the playing court and the free zone.
DIMENSIONS
The playing court is a rectangle measuring 16 x 8 m, surrounded by a free
zone with a minimum of 3 m wide and with a space free from any obstruction up to
a height of a minimum of 7 m from the playing surface.
For FIVB World Competitions, the playing court is a rectangle measuring 16 x
8 m, surrounded by a free zone with a minimum of 5 m and a maximum of 6 m from
the end lines / side lines and with a space free from any obstruction up to a
minimum height of 12.5 m from the playing surface.
PLAYING SURFACE
The terrain must be composed of leveled sand, as flat and uniform as
possible, free of rocks, shells and anything else, which can represent risks of
cuts or injuries to the players.
For FIVB World Competitions the sand must be at least 40 cm deep and composed
of fine loosely compacted grains.
The playing surface must not present any danger of injury to the players.
For FIVB World Competitions the sand should also be sifted to an acceptable
size not too coarse, free of stones and dangerous particles. It should not be
too fine to cause dust and stick to the skin.
For FIVB World Competitions a tarp to cover the central court is recommended
in case of rain.
LINES ON THE COURT
Two sidelines and two end lines mark the playing court. Both side and end
lines are placed inside the dimensions of the playing court.
There is NO centerline.
All lines are 5-8 cm wide.
The lines must be of a color, which contrasts sharply with the color of the
sand.
Court lines should be ribbons made of a resistant material, and any exposed
anchors should be of a soft, flexible material.
SERVICE ZONE
The service zone is the area behind the end line and between the extensions
of the two sidelines. In depth, the service zone extends to the end of the free
zone.
WEATHER
The weather must not present any danger of injury to the players.
LIGHTING
For official international competitions played during the night, the lighting
on the playing area should be 1,000 to 1,500 lux measured at 1 m above the
playing surface.
For FIVB World Competitions, the technical supervisor, the referee delegate,
and the tournament director shall decide if any of the above conditions present
any danger of injury to the players.
NET
The net is 8.5 m long and 1 m (+/- 3 cm) wide when it is hung taut, placed
vertically over the axis of the center of the court.
It is made of 10 cm square mesh. At its top and bottom there are two 7-10 cm
wide horizontal bands made of two-fold canvas, preferably in dark blue or bright
colors, sewn along its full length. Each extremity of the upper band has a hole
through which passes a cord fastening the upper band to the posts to keep the
top of the net stretched.
Within the bands, there are: a flexible cable in the upper one and a cord in
the bottom one for fastening the net to the posts and keeping its top and bottom
taut. It is permissible to have advertising on the horizontal bands of the
net.
For FIVB World Competitions an 8.0 m net with smaller meshes and brandings
displayed between the end sides of the net and the poles may be used provided
that the visibility of the athletes and officials will be preserved. Publicity
may be printed on the above items as per FIVB regulations.
BALL
The ball shall be spherical, made of a flexible material (leather, synthetic
leather, or similar) which does not absorb humidity, i.e. more suitable to
outdoor conditions since matches can be played when it is raining. The ball has
a bladder inside made of rubber or a similar material. Approval of synthetic
leather material is determined by FIVB regulations.
Color: bright colors (such as orange, yellow, pink, white, etc.)
Circumference: 66 to 68 cm for FIVB international competitions
Weight: 260 to 280 g
Inside pressure: 171 to 221 mbar or hPa (0.175 to 0.225 Kg/cm2)
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