Volleyball Court Lines Create The Boundaries That Outline The Court

Volleyball Court Lines | Improve Your Volley` ``

Volleyball Court Lines Create The Boundaries That Outline The Court 

Volleyball court lines mark the layout of the boundaries on the official volleyball playing surface showing the play area where two teams can compete legally.  


Setting up your own practice space?

These portable volleyball court boundary lines make it easy to practice anywhere.


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The volleyball court lines include four sidelines, two endlines, two attack lines and a centerline which outline and mark the boundaries of volleyball court playing area. 

  •  The playing area for a court is in the shape of a large rectangle that measures 30 feet by 60 feet.  
  • The longest lines are the sidelines and the shortest lines of the rectangle are the endlines





Need to mark your court for backyard training? I recommend this volleyball court line tape for durability.


  • On each court half, there's a ten foot line which divides the half court into thirds. 



  • The two-thirds of the court which run from the ten foot line to the endline is called the backcourt and is where the backrow players stay when playing in defense.  


If during a rally, you attack hit a ball that goes into the opposing team's court and the ball hits any part of the boundary line (sideline, endline)...that ball is considered "In" the court. 

Point for your team. Serve for your team.



What Are Attack Lines?


The attack lines, also known as the three-meter lines, play a crucial role in volleyball.

Positioned approximately ten feet or three meters from the net on either side, the attack lines indicate the area where players can perform powerful attack hits or spikes.

These lines serve multiple purposes on the volleyball court.

Firstly, the attack lines act as a boundary that separates the front row players from the back row players.

In volleyball, specific rules govern the actions that players can take based on their position on the court.


volleyball attack line volleyball half court
Grifone87, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

The attack lines help distinguish the zone where the front row hitters and blockers operate from the area where the back row players play on defense.

Moreover, the attack lines serve as a reference point for players to determine the legality of their attack hits.

During a rally, a player must take their spike approach and contact the ball for an attack hit from behind the attack line.

If a player makes contact with the ball while in front of or on the attack line, it is considered a violation, leading to a point or serve for the opposing team.

The attack lines help maintain fairness by ensuring that attackers do not gain an unfair advantage by attacking the ball from closer to the net.



In addition, the attack lines are crucial for referees and officials in making accurate calls during the game.

By clearly defining the area from which an attack hit must be executed, the attack lines assist in determining whether a player's spike or attack landed within the legal playing area.


serve receive rotation 1 lineup options
Sergey Dimitrov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overall, the attack lines provide a visual and physical marker on the court, creating a designated zone where players can execute powerful spikes.

They not only separate the front row and back row players but also help maintain fairness and consistency in the execution of attack hits.

Understanding the purpose of the attack lines is vital for players, referees, and spectators alike to fully comprehend the dynamic and skillful nature of the game.


What Is The Service Line?


In volleyball, the boundaries for serving are defined by the service line. The service line is a line that runs parallel to the net and indicates the position from where players must serve the ball at the beginning of each rally.

Located approximately 10 feet or 3 meters behind the net, the service line serves as a crucial boundary that players must adhere to while serving.

It ensures that a fair and consistent distance is maintained between the server and the net.

When serving, a player must position themselves behind the service line and serve the ball over the net into the opposing team's court.



Volleyball Court Line Systems
COMPARISON CHART

Feature Comparison

Initial Cost

Installation Time

Durability

Best Used For


Setup Difficulty

Storage Needed

Weather Resistant

Professional Look

Portability

Maintenance

Permanent Systems

$150-500

2-3 hours

1-2 years

School Gyms 

Sports Centers

Fixed Courts

High

Minimal

Indoor Only

*****

None

Low

Portable Systems

$50-150

15-30 mins

6-12 months

Multi-use Spaces

Beach Courts

Outdoor Setups

Medium

Medium

Yes

****

High

Medium

Training Markers

$30-90

5-10 mins

3-6 months

Practice Sessions

Skills Training

Youth Programs

Low

Small

Varies

***

Very High

Low

Detailed Feature Breakdown

Installation Requirements:

- Permanent: Professional installation recommended                                                                   - - Portable: 1-2 person setup                                       - Training: Single person setup

Maintenance Needs:

- Permanent: Annual inspection/touch-up
- Portable: Monthly checking of straps/anchors
- Training: Regular cleaning/replacement

Surface Compatibility:

- Permanent: Wood, Sport Court
- Portable: All surfaces
- Training: Any flat surface

Investment Value:

- Permanent: Best long-term value
- Portable: Best versatility value
- Training: Best entry-level value



Now that you know where the court lines are, learn how to serve efficiently outside those boundaries with my complete serving mastery checklist.



Serving from behind the service line allows players to generate enough power and height to clear the net and target specific areas of the opposing team's court, and if it results in a service error, it gives a point or serve for the opposing team.

This rule helps ensure that players do not have an unfair advantage by serving closer to the net.

The service line acts as a reference point for players to judge the accuracy and legality of their serves.

Serving from behind the service line allows players to generate enough power and height to clear the net and target specific areas of the opposing team's court.




Addi puts in 100 reps to improve her technique for her floater in volleyball serve on Super Bowl Sunday. 


And guess what? The service line plays a role in the positioning of the receiving team.

The receiving team should be positioned behind the service line, just like the serving team is required to be.

This positioning allows the receiving team to have enough reaction time and space to receive the ball and control the serve.

Being able to understand the boundaries that the service line creates, is important for players to properly perform their serves and to ensure fair play.




The service line ensures that serves are made from an appropriate distance on both sides of the court, in order to promote fair competition and skillful gameplay.



Consider the service line as a parallel boundary line to the net that indicates the precise position from where players serve the ball.

It enforces a fair distance between the server and the net, helps players judge the accuracy of their serves, and establishes the positioning of the receiving team.

By sticking to and acknowledging the boundaries set by the service line, players can serve and contribute to the success of their team while participating in a competitive volleyball match.


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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Volleyball Court Lines:
Where Do You Go From Here?


Good times! Where do you need to go now? Here are three options: 

  1. Learn more about the Volleyball Court Lines. 
  2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
  3. Or visit the pages in the Volleyball Rules section in the drop down menu at the top of the page.  

Learn more about volleyball court lines in the pages below!

If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.

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Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.

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