Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Court Dimensions
- Playing court: 16 m x 8 m (52.5 ft x 26.2 ft), divided into two 8 m x 8 m halves by the net
- No centre line: Unlike indoor, there is no marked centre line under the net
- No attack line: Unlike the indoor 3 m attack line, beach volleyball has no restriction on where back-row players can attack (there are no front-row/back-row designations)
- Boundary lines: Flat elastic bands or rope, 5–8 cm (2–3.1 in) wide, anchored in the sand at the corners. Lines must contrast with the sand colour.
3.2 Sand Requirements
The sand surface is one of the defining features of beach volleyball and is carefully specified:
- Depth: Minimum 40 cm (15.7 in) of loose, levelled sand throughout the playing area and free zone
- Quality: Fine-grained, free of stones, shells, debris, and any objects that could cause injury. Sand is typically washed and screened to meet specifications.
- Consistency: Sand must be raked and levelled between matches and at the start of each set to ensure uniform playing conditions.
3.3 Free Zone
A free zone of minimum 3 m (9.8 ft) must surround the court on all sides. For FIVB Beach Pro Tour events and the Olympics, the free zone is extended to a minimum of 5 m (16.4 ft) on each side and 6 m (19.7 ft) behind each end line. The free zone must also be sand and meet the same depth and quality requirements as the playing court. No rigid objects (posts, referee stands, walls) may be within the free zone.
3.4 Environmental Factors
Because beach volleyball is played outdoors, environmental conditions significantly affect play. Courts are oriented to minimise sun glare (ideally north-south alignment). Teams switch sides regularly to equalise wind and sun advantages. Sand temperature can exceed 50°C (122°F) in direct sunlight, requiring heat mitigation protocols.