Volleyball nets stand at different heights for men's and women's competitions, set by rule books.

The longer version

Net height is set in the rule book as a fixed measurement from the floor to the top of the net, checked at the centre and at the sidelines because a net sags in the middle. The men's height is noticeably greater than the women's, which changes both the angle an attacker can strike from and how much court a blocker can cover.

Junior and veteran categories use their own heights again, so the same court is played at several levels depending on who is on it. That is unusual among net sports, where one height normally serves everyone. The difference produces a scaled version of the same game rather than a separate one, and the rest of the rules match almost exactly.

Where this entry sits

Facts here look at the rules, equipment and odd histories behind familiar sports and games, from balls and rackets to cards, boards and playing fields. Expect small details about scoring quirks, stadium design and the long story of the Olympic Games. The full list sits on the Sports and Games page, where every entry is listed in order.