Indoor volleyball is played six a side on an 18 by 9 meter court with a firmer ball and sets to 25 points. Beach volleyball is played two a side on a 16 by 8 meter sand court with a softer, lower-pressure ball and sets to 21. Net heights are the same in both: 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women. Indoor players need court shoes and knee pads; beach players play barefoot or in sand socks.
The two games share a net and a scoring idea but differ in almost everything else. These figures follow FIVB rules.
Side by side
| Indoor | Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Players per side | 6 | 2 |
| Court | 18 x 9 m | 16 x 8 m |
| Net height | 2.43 m men, 2.24 m women | 2.43 m men, 2.24 m women |
| Ball circumference | 65 to 67 cm | 66 to 68 cm |
| Ball weight | 260 to 280 g | 260 to 280 g |
| Ball pressure | 0.30 to 0.325 kg/cm² | 0.175 to 0.225 kg/cm² |
| Sets | Best of five, to 25 (fifth to 15) | Best of three, to 21 (third to 15) |
| Footwear | Court shoes | Barefoot or sand socks |
Gear for each
- Indoor: an indoor ball, court shoes with gum rubber outsoles, knee pads. See volleyball shoes and knee pads.
- Beach: a beach ball, optional sand socks, sunglasses and a visor, and a portable net with boundary lines. Compare sand socks with barefoot play and see backyard and beach net systems.
Related
Common questions
Can you use an indoor volleyball on the beach?
You can, but a beach ball has lower pressure and a slightly larger size that floats and handles sand and wind better. An indoor ball feels hard on the beach.
Is the beach volleyball net the same height?
Yes. Under FIVB rules both indoor and beach nets are 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women.
Why is the beach court smaller?
Two players cover the court instead of six, and sand slows movement, so the court is 16 by 8 m instead of 18 by 9 m.