Volleyball Equipment Checklist
For your first indoor session, bring comfortable sports clothing, water and suitable court footwear; ask the organiser what it provides and whether knee pads are required. Borrow a ball if you can. Beach sessions usually need less specialist kit: check the surface, sun protection and the ball before buying.
Your first session: bring, check, wait
You don't need a full kit of specialist equipment before your first session. Ask the organiser what the venue provides and whether there are any requirements for footwear or clothing. Start with what you'll use now; add equipment once you know how often and where you'll play.
Bring or arrange
- Comfortable sports clothing and water
- Suitable footwear for the venue
- Any personal items your session requires
Check with your club
- Indoor footwear requirements and a suitable fit
- Whether knee pads are recommended for the session
- The ball model and weight for your age group
Usually wait until you know you need it
- Premium replacement shoes, while your current suitable pair still works
- Your own match ball, if club sessions already provide balls
- Specialist training aids and bulk equipment
Indoor checklist: before you buy
Confirm the coach's equipment list before ordering. For parents: an adult product recommendation isn't automatically appropriate for a child.
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- Court shoes: indoor court shoes with gum-rubber, non-marking soles. Volleyball rules require light, flexible shoes with rubber or composite soles and no heels. Choose by fit and the surface you play on: read our men's court-shoe guide or women's court-shoe guide before comparing models; the women's guide also compares two budget models. Budget option: ASICS Women's GEL-ROCKET 12 on Amazon.com ASICS Men's GEL-ROCKET 12 on Amazon.com
- Knee pads: Knee pads can cushion incidental knee contact and floor abrasions; they are not an instruction to land knees first. Learn controlled floor movement with a coach and compare coverage and fit. knee-pad guide. A common starter pad (it runs small, so check the size chart): Mizuno LR6 Volleyball Kneepad on Amazon.com
- Clothes: a breathable shirt and shorts or leggings you can squat and dive in.
- Socks: Choose comfortable socks that fit your court shoes. Ordinary crew socks do not cover the knee or prevent a poorly fitting knee pad from rubbing. For example: Nike Performance Cushion crew socks, 6 pairs on Amazon.com
- Water bottle. CamelBak Chute Mag insulated bottle, 32 oz on Amazon.com
- Your own ball (optional): a size-5 indoor ball (65–67 cm around) for home practice. First check whether you need an indoor, beach or lighter youth model, and ask which model your coach uses. Our volleyball guide walks through the choice. A durable practice ball for teens and adults: Mikasa VQ2000 Micro Cell on Amazon.com A light ball for players 12 and under: Molten VB-U12 lightweight volleyball on Amazon.com
- Optional: ankle braces, especially if you've sprained an ankle before (Ankle braces); arm sleeves for passing comfort. Ask a qualified clinician or athletic trainer about tape for a diagnosed finger problem; do not tape over new pain, swelling or a crooked finger to keep playing.
You don't need any of these exact products: the guides compare more choices, fit and sizes.
Coaches: see Coaching Equipment.
Beach checklist
- Bare feet. Beach rules say players play barefoot unless the referee allows otherwise. Sand socks help on very hot or cold sand; in sanctioned events, ask the referee first. For example: ShocSox sand socks on Amazon.com
- Sunglasses and a visor or hat: both are allowed in beach play. For example: goodr OG polarized sunglasses on Amazon.com adidas Women's Superlite visor on Amazon.com Nike men's visor (AV9754) on Amazon.com
- Sunscreen: broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant, reapplied about every 2 hours and after sweating or swimming.
- A beach ball: water-resistant, slightly bigger and softer than an indoor ball. See Volleyballs. The official AVP ball: Wilson OPTX AVP official game ball on Amazon.com
- Plenty of water.
What not to buy yet
- Very thick, bulky knee pads “just in case”, unless you're a defender who's on the floor a lot.
- A toy or plastic “volleyball”. Get a real size-5 ball (a light ball for kids 12 and under).
- Running shoes bought specifically for indoor volleyball. Prioritise a secure indoor-court fit and lateral movement; grip and construction vary by model, so do not assume every running shoe or court shoe behaves alike.
What the rules say about gear
- International (FIVB) rules: players wear a jersey, shorts, socks and sport shoes. Objects that could cause injury or give an advantage are forbidden. Glasses are allowed at your own risk, and padded protection (like knee pads) is allowed. Most national federations follow these rules.
- US note: USA Volleyball allows jewelry unless it's a safety concern and braces unless they could hurt someone, and doesn't allow hard casts. US high-school (NFHS) rules are stricter: all jewelry must come off except small studs above the chin.
- When in doubt, ask your coach or the referee before the match.
Deep dive: building your kit over a season
Start with suitable footwear, comfortable clothes and water, then the items your coach actually requires. Buy a ball when you will practise between sessions and choose the weight for your age group. Replace shoes when their grip or condition no longer suits the court, rather than upgrading just because you play more often. After an ankle sprain, ask a doctor or physiotherapist about assessment, rehabilitation and any bracing before returning.
Videos: choosing your first gear
Three short videos: how to choose shoes, socks, knee pads and a ball; three things beginners shouldn't buy; and what you need for beach volleyball.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear jewelry in volleyball?
Under FIVB rules, players may not wear objects that could cause injury, so referees usually ask for jewelry to come off or be taped. When in doubt, take it off or ask the referee.
Accessories: Resistance Bands & Warm-Up · Tape & Cold Packs · Clothing & Kit Bag