Material
Water volleyball nets are made of the same nylon material as used in volleyball nets. The nylon material should be springy enough to provide proper resistance and appropriate wear-and-tear, but should not be bouncy. A stiffer, more wiry net can be used on a permanently mounted net system. The wiry netting material lasts longer but should be used with care as it requires a bit more maintenance and should not be left outdoors.
Water volleyball nets are an essential piece of equipment for any volleyball game. They provide the necessary support for the ball to be hit back and forth over the net and also act as a barrier between the two teams. Water volleyball nets come in a variety of sizes and materials, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for the game you are playing. Water volleyball nets also come in different widths, depending on the size of the court they will be used on.
Standard Volleyball Compared to Water Volleyball Net Heights
- Standard Men’s Volleyball Net Height: 7 feet, 11 ⅝ inches or 2.43 meters
- Men’s Volleyball Net Height Ages 55-69: 7 feet, 9 ⅝ inches or 2.38 meters
- Men’s Volleyball Net Height Ages 70+: 7 feet, 6 inches or 2.29 meters
- Standard Women’s Volleyball Net Height: 7 feet, 4 ⅛ inches or 2.24 meters
- Women’s Volleyball Net Height Ages 45+: 7 feet, 2 ⅛ inches or 2.19 meters
- Standard Boy’s & Girl’s Junior Volleyball Net Height Ages 11 – 12: 7 feet or 2.13 meters
- Boy’s Junior Volleyball Net Height Ages 10 and under: 7 feet or 2.13 meters
- Girl’s Junior Volleyball Net Height Ages 10 and under: 6 feet, 6 inches or 1.98 meters
- Standard Pool Water Volleyball net height: 6 feet or about 6 to 12 inches above the surface of the water
Setting Up the Net
When setting up a water volleyball net, it is important to make sure that the posts are level and the net is tight. The best way to do this is to use a level or to measure from the ground up. Once the net is in place, it is also important to check that the ropes or cables are properly secured. This will help to prevent the net from moving during play.
Water volleyball nets must be taken down after each game or practice session. This helps to prolong their life and prevent them from becoming damaged. When taking down a volleyball net, be sure to remove all of the hardware, such as hooks or clips. Once the net is completely removed, it can be rolled up and stored away until it is needed again.
Posts
Water volleyball nets are typically anchored on two sides by either a weighted post or a permanently mounted post as part of a water volleyball set (similar to a volleyball net). Weighted posts for water volleyball nets are usually filled with sand or water and placed out of the pool at opposite edges. This type of post works well for casual players and small and large pools alike. The advantages of these types of nets is that they are relatively inexpensive and are simple to setup. The only drawbacks are that the post may need an occasional cleaning to remove the sand or water, the posts may need to be repositioned during the game (if the net is hit too hard or pulled on by players), and it may need a little more setup time in the beginning of the game. They also do not tend to last as long as permanently mounted nets.
Permanently mounted water volleyball nets are more appropriate for larger or industrial/commercial pools like at schools or recreation center pools. These nets are typically mounted to concrete-mounted steel poles or on grommets or hooks build into the ceiling of the walls outside the pool. The advantages of these types of nets are that they very sturdy and the nets feel solid. They also last a long time with considerate use and maintenance.