Section 2: Equipment
2.1 The Ball
- Circumference: 66–68 cm (26–26.8 in) — slightly larger than the indoor ball (65–67 cm)
- Weight: 260–280 g (9.2–9.9 oz) — slightly lighter than the indoor ball (260–280 g overlap, but beach balls tend toward the lighter end)
- Internal pressure: 0.175–0.225 kg/cm² (171–221 mbar; 2.49–3.20 psi) — lower than indoor to slow the ball slightly in outdoor wind conditions
- Exterior: Waterproof synthetic leather cover with brightly coloured panels (typically yellow, blue, and white). The softer feel and lower pressure make the ball easier to control in windy conditions and allow for better passing contact on the forearms.
2.2 The Net
- Width: 8.5 m (27.9 ft), spanning the full court width plus 50 cm overhang on each side
- Height: Men: 2.43 m (7 ft 11.6 in). Women: 2.24 m (7 ft 4.2 in) — same heights as indoor volleyball
- Mesh: 10 cm (3.9 in) square openings
- Antennae: Flexible rods attached to the net at each end of the court boundary, extending 80 cm (31.5 in) above the net. The ball must cross the net within the antenna markers for a legal play.
- Posts: Net posts are positioned 0.7–1.0 m outside the sidelines. Posts are padded for safety.
2.3 Uniforms and Personal Equipment
- Clothing: Athletes wear shorts (or bikini bottoms for women, though this is no longer mandatory) and tank tops or t-shirts. Long sleeves and long pants are permitted in all weather conditions. There is no minimum skin-exposure requirement. The previous FIVB mandate for women's bikini bottoms was removed in 2012.
- Numbering: Jerseys must display the athlete's name and number. Numbers must be 1–2 for each team (player 1 and player 2).
- Accessories: Sunglasses, hats, and visors are permitted. Compression garments may be worn. No jewellery that could cause injury. Taping and bracing is allowed.
- Footwear: Athletes typically play barefoot but may wear socks or soft sand shoes if desired.