Volleyball, a six-a-side court game played by hitting an inflated ball back and forth over a high net. Points are scored by successfully landing the ball in the court of the opponents without its being returned.

The volleyball court, 30 by 60 ft (9.14 by 18.29 m) in area, is divided into two sides, each 30 by 30 ft, by a net higher than the heads of the players. Indoor rules recommend a clear, unobstructed area at least 26 ft (about 8 m) high above the entire court. The net is 32 ft (9.75 m) long and 3 ft (0.91 m) wide and is made of 4-in (10.2-cm) square mesh of black or dark-brown linen twine. It is stretched tightly across the court by its four corners. The height of the top of the net is set at 8 ft (2.44 m) for men; at 7.5 ft (2.29 m) for women; and at 7 ft (2.13 m) or lower for children. A line 2 in (5.1 cm) wide, called the spiking line, extends across each of the two playing areas from sideline to sideline, parallel to and at a distance of 10 ft (3.05 m) from the centre, or net, line.

The volleyball is an inflated sphere with a laceless leather cover. Smaller and lighter than a basketball, the volleyball is 25 to 27 in (63.5 to 68.6 cm) in circumference and weighs 9 to 10 oz (255 to 283 g).