Volleyball and beach volleyball: courts and players
Indoor volleyball needs twelve people and a hall; beach volleyball needs four and a sand court. Both are easier to organise with a booking you can count on and a quick way to find missing players.
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How it's played
- Indoor volleyball is 6 v 6 on a 18 × 9 m court, net at 2.43 m (men) or 2.24 m (women). Rally scoring to 25 (win by two), best of five sets; three touches per side, no catching or carrying.
- Beach volleyball is 2 v 2 on a 16 × 8 m sand court; sets go to 21, best of three. Rules differ: open-hand tips are not allowed and the block counts as a touch.
- Casual groups often play 4 v 4 indoors or on the beach with relaxed rules – agree before serving.
What you need
- Ball: indoor volleyball (leather or composite) or a softer, slightly larger beach volleyball.
- Indoor: non-marking court shoes and knee pads. Beach: barefoot or sand socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, water.
- Bibs or two colours of shirts; a net and antennas are provided by the venue.
How to find a court near you
- Indoor courts are in sports halls and school gyms; beach courts are at beaches, outdoor sports parks and indoor beach halls in colder countries.
- Check net height, floor or sand quality, lighting, whether the venue lends balls, and whether the hall is shared with other sports.
- Beach courts are busiest on summer evenings and weekends; indoor halls on weekday evenings.
- In Sparrio, filter by volleyball to find courts near you and request a slot; post a “4 players missing” request to fill your team.
Booking tips
- Book 90–120 minutes for 6 v 6 – warm-up and rotations take time.
- Confirm the net height for your group (mixed groups often use the women's height).
- Keep a list of reserves; twelve people is hard to gather every week.
What affects the price
- Courts are priced per court per hour; indoor halls cost more than public beach courts, which are sometimes free. Prime time and lighting raise the price.
- Each venue in Sparrio shows its own price range.
Frequently asked questions
How many players do I need?
Twelve for indoor 6 v 6, four for beach 2 v 2. Post a request in Sparrio for the missing players.
Can I book a beach volleyball court?
Many beach clubs and indoor beach halls rent courts by the hour; public beach courts are usually first come, first served.
What is the difference between indoor and beach rules?
Team size (6 v 6 vs 2 v 2), court size, scoring (25 vs 21) and some touch rules.
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Last updated: 2026-10-18