Are you thinking about playing volleyball in the backyard? If yes, you have landed on the right spot. In this article, you would get to know everything that is connected to playing volleyball in your backyard. From the right kind of equipment needed for the size of the backyard, and all the important things related to it.
What exactly is backyard volleyball?
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If you are looking for a backyard activity that’s full of fun and competitive, volleyball may be a perfect choice. There isn’t much difference between the game played on a big court or your backyard. What’s more interesting is that you can play volleyball with twelve people or two people.
After you have learned to make a volleyball court in your backyard and set it right, the rules on how to play the game pretty much depend on you. Playing volleyball in the backyard is a great way to have fun and carefree activity. Or, a volleyball professional wanting to sharpen their skill.
Whenever you find time to enjoy the weather outside, nothing seems a fun-filled activity other than playing volleyball in your backyard. There is nothing more amazing than having your volleyball court and playing the game right in your backyard.
You can play as two on two with your family and friends, while everyone enjoying quality time sipping drinks between their spikes, sets, and digs in the sand. It was never as easy, fun and safe diving for a loose ball. And, getting up back from it with ease.
Although the sand washes after you have finished playing the game, the memories and smiles derived from playing the game in the backyard keep lasting forever. You can find a standard volleyball court 30 feet wide and 60 feet long. When you are setting the court in your backyard, you can make that smaller.
A backyard volleyball court is not a challenging project and provides entertainment for years to come. Also, the creation process is pretty much simple. However, you need to follow some steps to have the best outcome. Playing the game is fun for people regardless of age and a great way to exercise without feeling like working out.
How to play backyard Volleyball:
Playing volleyball in the backyard remains the perfect choice for people even though the game attained professional status. It won’t matter whether you are a professional who likes to follow regulations, or a beginner who has little knowledge about a bump or dink, this game is sure to give you a fun-filled experience.
There are many ways people prefer to play volleyball in their backyard. Here are some of the variations in the game that would make you move straight to the net.
Blind volleyball – In this kind of backyard volleyball players need to hang blankets or sheets from the topmost part of the net and to the playground. This way, it helps shield the view of the opposing players. All types of buoyant ball and any number of people can join.
The main objective is to throw the ball over the net. Whoever hits the ground first tends to lose a point. Although skilled players follow conventional volleyball rules, this game can be well played by beginners by letting underhand throws.
Hooverball – This variation of backyard volleyball was regarded as a popular White House sport a very long time ago. A physician at the White House invented Hooverball in 1928. If you want an amazing match of Hooverball in your backyard, you would need a 6-pound medicine ball, a volleyball net, and a few people.
Assigned as a server, a player from each team throws the ball over the net. To remain in the game, an opponent has to catch and return it in a single motion. The team that doesn’t catch the ball would lose a point.
Seated volleyball – The rules of this kind of volleyball game is pretty simple. Each player has to seat on the ground for some time. If you are like other players, you would spend most of the time sitting. However, if you are diving at the ball, that won’t happen frequently.
In this scenario, you have to leave the ground and quickly make contact again with your shoulders, torso, or rear end. It is quite challenging to fetch and hit the ball at once. Playing volleyball while seated requires great stamina and strength.
Sand volleyball – If you don’t want to compromise on having backyard fun, perhaps you can build a volleyball court with sand. Although traditionally courtyards are 60 feet by 30 feet, you can modify the dimension to suit your needs. All you have to do is set the poles in concrete and add sand. Otherwise called beach volleyball, the game is pretty much popular among people.
Sepak Takraw – It is another type of volleyball game played in the backyard where a player’s torso, head, and legs are used to hit the ball. Sepak Takraw is one of the earliest games that dates back to the 11th century and has a modern following.
The game is popular throughout Asian countries, but you can play it in your backyard. At least three players are needed on each team, but you can add more. After one player from a side throws the ball, the player on the opposite side can hit it up to 3 times before returning it over the net.
What kind of equipment is required to play backyard Volleyball?
To minimize injury and stay comfortable while playing volley in your backyard, you have to choose the right equipment. Although the basic equipment for playing is court shoes, ankle braces and knee pads are used by many people. Also, you need equipment for hydration and sun protection.
Shoes – If you plan to play volleyball most of the time in your backyard, a good pair of shoes can be a wise investment. Shoes made for these kinds of games are designed less for running and more for gripping the ground. As such, it allows more gripping on the floor alongside quick reflexes that the game requires. Choose the shoe correctly, or you may encounter difficulties in retaining comfort.
Socks – Because of constant reflexes, while playing volleyball, it is very common to have blisters. However, blisters can be avoided when you choose the right kind of shoe and socks. Therefore, choose a sock that’s made with moisture-wicking and breathable material. Make sure to wear the socks in a fitted condition so that it doesn’t cause fiction because of slipping.
Ankle braces – Sprains in the ankle occurs more in volleyball because of the action nearer the net when all players come in a single place at one time. It is seen that a player often lands on another one’s foot when jumping for a block or playing the ball near the net. So, ankle braces are quite important while playing this game. These braces help protect your ankle when they are placed in the right way.
Knee pads – As the name suggests, knee pads are worn by players to protect the knee from hitting against the ground when diving for the ball. When you are about to choose the material for the knee pads, make sure it is light in weight and breathable. Also, make sure that the position of the padding can cover the knee cap. It is wise to adjust the position to the right setting each time to avoid unnecessary bruises.
Protection from the sun – When you are playing volleyball in your backyard, apply lip balm and sunscreen before going out in the sunlight. If you are comfortable, try to wear enough clothing that protects you from the sun. You may even wear sunglasses for protecting your delicate eyes from the glares of sunlight.
Hydration gear – Staying away from dehydration while you are playing the game help you remain active. You can avoid muscle cramps. And, it greatly helps in your post-game recovery. To track your fluid intake, it is wise to keep water drinking bottles close to hand. When you are playing in hot weather, the body loses much fluid. So, you have to intake more of them.
How big should my backyard be for playing volleyball?
First of all, it is better to have a backyard space of around 90 feet long and 60 feet wide. This way, you can prepare your court with a standard size of 60 feet in length and 30 feet in width. Also, you can make the court smaller if you have limited space in your backyards and intend to play volleyball.
While you are choosing the perfect location, you have to consider a few factors to get maximum results. The plot should be flat and away from things that could be easily damaged, like the windows of a house, etc.
Next, you need to dig up some portion, like a few couple feet of your plot, and replace it with sand. Hence, watch out for areas where there is electrical wiring or large roots beneath the ground. After you have found the right plot of land in a very good location, you can start to prepare the land for the court.
You can start by getting rid of the top layer of grass and churning the soil with the help of a shovel. Collect all kinds of stones or debris from the area. For best results, you can use a rammer to make the ground more even.
Measure the amount of desired space you would need to cover your backyard volleyball court. To outline the playing area, you can make use of chalk or paint. Now, set up a drainage ditch that drifts away from the lowest point of the court. Instill a perforated pipe for drainage across the middle point of your court.
The perforated side should be facing down and the closed end at the highest point of the excavation zone. They should zigzag around the court and empty into the ditch. Although it may appear that drainage isn’t a necessary step, it is a crucial one.
Don’t forget that sand retains water even at a higher ground level. So, you won’t build a court to watch it turn into a pit of mud in no time. Choosing the right kind of sand is another important aspect. If the sand is too dusty or too abrasive, you won’t find comfort while playing.
Next comes the volleyball poles. And, there are lots of options to choose from. Opt for something that can bear rigorous use and won’t fall whenever the player or ball touches the net. Stainless steel poles are great for this purpose. The net should be sturdy as well. A #18 nylon netting holds good at the lower end, while a #42 nylon netting system gives ultimate results.
How many people can play it?
A minimum of two players is enough to play the game of volleyball in the backyard. But, a total of twelve players, six players each from two teams makes the game more interesting. The game is played between two teams in a court divided into equal halves.
The purpose of the game is to make the ball come in contact with the ground on the opposite team. One team hits the ball to the other side and they need to prevent the ball from touching the ground by hitting it across the net.
You can have more substitute players in both teams. Of the six players in the team playing the game, one is the team captain and another one is Libero. The players are placed in two rows consisting of three players each. Apart from the other team members, libero gets identified with a different dress code.
Libero is intended mainly for defending. They can’t move or serve to the frontcourt. The coach along with the entire team is responsible for managing the team and maintain harmony. Also, the team captain represents the team and speaks for the team members.
For what age is this sport suitable?
Although volleyball has transformed into an international sport, the game initially evolved in the backyard. There are no such rules to determine what should be the perfect age to play volleyball in the backyard. It is a fun-filled game for all ages. You can even start playing at ages 14.
It is an amazing team sport. And, you can’t win the game by hitting every ball all by yourself. You would miss a few balls and even run over other teammates. So, there isn’t a perfect age to play the game. However, many people agree that anyone above 15 years of age is perfect to play the game.
What do you have to pay attention to?
Backyard volleyball is loved by people across countries. But, there are some things that you need to pay attention to to enjoy the game wholeheartedly.
Quality of sand – The reason why backyard volleyball playing experience might deter is due to the quality of sand. Too dusty, or too coarse sand ruins the gaming experience. Hence, choose the best quality to have a great game and avoid bruises.
Site preparation – A good playing ground with a proper drainage system is necessary to get the most out of this game. The drainage system is the trickiest part of building the sand court because you don’t want to turn your playing area into a massive mud-wrestling arena whenever it rains.
Net poles – You may find different options for choosing which pole might be best for you. The pole should be strong enough so that it doesn’t collapse whenever anything makes an impact with the net. Galvanized or stainless steel poles are suited most because of their durability. So, choose one with the best quality.
Volleyball net – Apart from having a stronger pole, you should have a net that is strong and can withstand while playing and make the ball bounce off it. A good nylon netting system adds color to your gaming experience.
Safety gears – Although you don’t need tons of safety gears while playing the game in the backyard, a little precaution is worthy of it. Specialized shoes, padded shorts, braces, knee pads, mouth guards, etc. are some of the safety gears that could be helpful when playing the game. In case of serious injuries consult your physician.
A bit of training – To avoid and prevent injuries, it is wise to have some amount of formal training. First of all, be in a good shape to experience this wonderful game. Try to warm up and perform stretching before going out to play. Make use of proper techniques and don’t experiment with things that aren’t recommended.
How to maintain your backyard volleyball court:
When you maintain the volleyball court in the backyard, it keeps sand away from getting messed up and needing to change it frequently. Keeping the court free of sticks, rocks or other debris make the space safer, cleaner to play all around.
Every two or three days, thoroughly look at your court to remove any kind of unwanted things, and adequately dispose of them. To get better results, use a rake to bring up anything sharp. When you do it regularly, it helps in keeping the sand soft and nice.
Use a shovel to level off spots that appear uneven. This way, you can prevent certain injuries caused by them. Also, the padding on the net poles should be checked regularly and replaced if needed. If there are lots of grasses all over your court, ensure that they are cut short. Dispose of the clippings properly.
What are the basic rules for playing volleyball in your backyard?
After you have finished building the court for playing the game, it is time for you and other members to play. If you have never played volleyball in the backyard, don’t worry. It is something that doesn’t require great skills. Here are some basic rules.
Setting up – To begin with, you need to have six players on each team. But, you can play with a little as two players. Remember to have an even number of players on both sides of the net. To get the most out of the game, make 2 rows of players. One row would be closest to the net, while another one toward the back of the court.
Serving the ball – Toss a coin to find out which team would start. If you want the service to be a good one, the ball needs to go over the net and land on the ground. The person at the back corner is the one who begins the game by serving the ball. To have a new server each time, rotate the payers in your team.
If the first person fails to serve the ball, the team rotates and the next player gets the chance. This process is repeated many times to get the ball on the other side.
Playing the game – After a successful serve has been made, the game has started. You can hit the ball three times within the court and then it should go over the net. Next, each team will have to make the ball go over the net until a fault happens. Faults occur because of the following factors.
- The ball touches the ground
- Someone hits the net
- The ball goes sideways
- Someone’s foot goes underneath the net
- A player hitting the ball consecutive times
- Grabbing the ball without bumping
What are the points allotted for each game?
It is better to decide on how many points will the game be allowed per round. For example, you may start a new game when a team hits at least fifteen points. A match can last for three games after which each team switches sides. This way, a new game starts. The losing team gets a chance to serve in the upcoming game.
Conclusion:
Now, that all you need to know if you are thinking to set up your volleyball court in your backyard. There are lots of variations you can add to the yard, but not all of them are important. What’s most important is that you can need a decent space and enjoy playing the game.
