Volleyball Academy
Global court, free-zone and hall planning workbook
How to use this workbook
Work through only the modules relevant to the project. Record confirmed decisions, unresolved questions and information still needed. The live Academy can save the same decisions into Your Facility Plan and My Apollo Project.
This is a planning workbook, not a construction drawing, professional design, accreditation or approval document.
Set the FIVB court and free-zone baseline
Start from the 18 × 9 m court and the appropriate free-zone and clear-height requirement for the intended level.
□ Recreation, school, club or international-standard venue?
□ What free-zone standard applies?
□ What unobstructed height is available?
Define player groups and scheduling
Match court count and equipment to training groups, classes, teams, tournaments and shared use.
□ How many simultaneous courts are needed?
□ What age and competition levels use the facility?
□ How quickly must courts convert between activities?
Plan the floor or outdoor base
Review flatness, moisture, drainage, joints and existing conditions before choosing the surface.
□ Indoor slab or outdoor hard court?
□ Are moisture or level issues present?
□ Does the base need repair before surfacing?
Choose the volleyball surface pathway
Select a surface around grip, cushioning, ball response, cleaning, portability and outdoor exposure.
□ Permanent, modular or roll-out?
□ What performance level is required?
□ How will the floor be cleaned and repaired?
Coordinate posts, sockets and net tension
Resolve post system, net, antennae, protection and referee stand before the floor plan is frozen.
□ Fixed sockets or portable bases?
□ Where are post loads or anchors resolved?
□ Where will equipment store between sessions?
Protect clear height and overhead systems
Keep lighting, ductwork, structure, scoreboards and other overhead elements clear of the playing volume.
□ What is the lowest overhead obstruction?
□ Do luminaires sit in problematic sightlines?
□ Are retractable systems required?
Plan lighting for ball visibility
Coordinate light levels, glare, fixture position and backgrounds around high-ball play.
□ Training or competition use?
□ Are dark backgrounds or windows affecting visibility?
□ Can lighting support multiple courts evenly?
Plan divider curtains and multi-court spacing
Allow simultaneous courts to operate without ball crossover, blocked run-off or unsafe circulation.
□ How many side-by-side courts?
□ Are retractable dividers needed?
□ Where are aisles and exits?
Plan team, scorer and spectator zones
Coordinate benches, scorer table, officials, circulation and spectators outside the free zone.
□ Where do teams wait?
□ Is formal scoring required?
□ How do spectators enter without crossing play?
Plan storage and changeover
Provide safe storage for posts, nets, padding, referee equipment and shared-sport hardware.
□ What equipment is removed daily?
□ Can heavy components move without crossing active courts?
□ Who owns setup and inspection?
Plan outdoor or covered variants
Where volleyball is outside, coordinate drainage, wind exposure, UV, lighting and weather protection with the surface and equipment.
□ Is the court fully outdoor or covered?
□ What wind and rain exposure applies?
□ Does the project need shade or a future enclosure?
Build the volleyball project brief
Bring court count, clearances, floor, posts, lighting, dividers, storage and local responsibilities into one brief.
□ Are court and clear-space dimensions confirmed?
□ Is the intended FIVB or local level clear?
□ What installation and approvals remain local?
Facility Plan summary
Use this page to consolidate the project before moving into the Sports Project Brief.