How to Set Up a Kid-Friendly Volleyball Court Without Sacrificing Quality

Volleyball is a popular sport, particularly on beaches in the summer. But if you are building your own volleyball court in your backyard, you want it to be accessible to players of all ages. With some adjustments and the right equipment, your volleyball court can work for young players or skilled adults without sacrificing the quality of your court.

C&C Courts can help! We have built kid-friendly volleyball courts for many years, and we’ve picked up some ideas to help players of all ages get the most out of their new home court.

Check out these ideas that are easy to implement, and we’ve included a few drills to make practicing volleyball skills more fun for young players.

Location & Space for Court

Before building your kid-friendly volleyball court, you must ensure a clear and level area, free from obstacles like large rocks, tree roots, debris, and uneven terrain. This will help ensure your volleyball court is level and safe.

In addition, consider the space around the court, which is called “run-off.” This space is vital because it provides a clear space for kids to run off the court without running into anything and helps prevent injuries.

While choosing your location, consider the sunlight orientation as well. If possible, orient the court in an east-west direction to minimize the sun’s glare directly into players’ eyes during morning or late afternoon games.

Adaptable Court Dimensions

Official volleyball court dimensions are 59 x 29.5 feet. However, for younger children, smaller courts are more appropriate for their developmental level.

For example, if you have kids under 10 years old, good court dimensions include 46-52.5 x 29.5 feet.

To make the court more accessible for all age groups, use different-colored marking lines for the court dimensions. This will allow games for different ages and skill levels to use the same court at different times.

Surface Material

At C&C Courts, we highly recommend the use of PowerGame+ flooring for your outdoor volleyball court. These modular tiles provide superior traction, Lateral Forgiveness technology, and innovative safety features.

Compared to floorings like concrete and asphalt, PowerGame+ flooring has low skin abrasion, and the Lateral Forgiveness technology reduces joint strain and fatigue. It also has high shock absorption to keep kids safe while playing.

Adjustable Height Net System

Rather than a stationary net for volleyball, choose an adjustable height system that will allow kids of all ages to play.

Some of the recommended heights (measured at the center) include:

10 years and under (Girls): 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches)
10 years and under (Boys): 2.13 meters (7 feet 0 inches)
11-12 years (Boys & Girls): 2.13 meters (7 feet 0 inches)
13-14 years (Girls): 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 inches)
13-14 years (Boys): 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 inches)
Standard Women's: 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 1/8 inches)
Standard Men's: 2.43 meters (7 feet 11 5/8 inches)

Padding & Safety Accessories

When building a volleyball court for kids, safety is paramount. Choose materials and equipment with safety in mind. For example, quality volleyballs are important for kids of all ages, but younger children can benefit from softer, lighter-weight volleyballs.

Padding around poles is an essential safety feature for all home courts. It helps prevent injury and protects kids from extra harm if they run into the pole while playing.

It is also a good idea to keep a first-aid kit handy while kids are playing volleyball, as accidents do happen. In addition, keep a water bottle station ready for hydration and to help avoid muscle fatigue.

Court lighting is another great way to ensure safety and visibility. Once the sun sets, playing on a court without adequate lighting can become more dangerous. Installing LED or solar-powered lights around your court will help maintain visibility and safety.

Fun Drills for Young Players

Volleyball drills don’t sound like much fun, but using fun and engaging drills can keep their attention and help teach and improve basic skills.

Here are a few drills for younger players.

Bump It Up

For beginners, they can practice bumping the ball to themselves and keeping count. Make it a friendly competition by seeing who can get the highest number without losing control of the ball.

This also gives the players a personal score to try and beat.

Ready, SET, Go

This drill is a setting relay. Divide the players into two lines. The players have to make it across the court and back while setting the ball. When the first player returns, the next player goes.

This drill is perfect for hand-eye coordination and improves the players’ ability to get under the ball while it is in motion.

The Bee’s Knees

For this drill, set up a course with cones, ropes, and whatever you have on hand. The players then dodge, circle, and hop around the course while keeping a volleyball between their knees. If the player drops the ball, they have to start the court at the beginning.

This helps build coordination and strength.

Dead Fish

Dead fish is a drill that helps with serving. Split your players into two teams and have them stand on either side of the net. Each player serves their balls a the sme time. Players must stand on the opposite team’s side if they miss their serve.

To get back in the game, you must catch a serve from one of your team members. The game ends when one team has no players left to serve.

Let’s Design Your Home Volleyball Court!

When you want a home volleyball court built with quality materials, years of expertise, and excellent workmanship, turn to C&C Courts. We’ve built volleyball courts in Minnesota backyards for over 30 years, and we have seen just about everything when it comes to making courts accessible for all ages. From young kids to older adults, everyone can have a good time playing on a home volleyball court.

Let us help you build your dream volleyball court. Request a quote online or give us a call at 952-746-4545.