Volleyball is one of the few sports that is great to play leisurely and professionally both. And you don’t even need to be a pro in order to play the game leisurely. All you need is a little enthusiasm, team spirit and a perfect volleyball set to get you started for an afternoon of pure fun.
A volleyball set comes with a volleyball, its net, other support equipment like poles, ropes, boundary markers, basically everything you can need to play volleyball. But purchasing a set that is good for you and fits your budget can be a daunting task. Which is why we have compiled a comprehensive guide for you so you know exactly what to look for when buying a volleyball set.
What Features Should The Best Volleyball Set Have?
Purpose
The first thing you need to figure out when buying a volleyball set is what exactly do you need it for. Are you going to use it for beach days or do you need to set it up in your backyard permanently? Are you planning on using it indoors or outdoors, a complete net system or the net only? The purpose will help you decide which type of volleyball set will be the best fit for you.
Portable Or Permanent?
If you need a portable volleyball set then that means you’re a beginner who plays for recreation at picnics or beach days. While having a portable volleyball set will be extremely convenient for you, it might not be that durable or long lasting.
Portable volleyball sets don’t take too long to set up. All they require are a couple of minutes and you’re ready for a fun time in the sun. These are also less costly compared to permanent sets and fare better outdoors as they can easily be set up in sand and grass. The portable sets also come with a bag for you to pack it up and store indoors when you’re not using it.
However, the permanent volleyball set isn’t as easygoing as the portable one and requires more attention and effort when setting it up, taking you more than a couple of minutes that the portable ones will take. However, a permanent set also means that this setting up will be a one time thing so you won’t have to worry about setting it up over and over again. They are good to be used wherever you need them, whether it’s indoors or outdoors and have proven to be more durable than the portable ones so you can either use them professionally or leisurely.
Moreover, if you’re going to the beach then you won’t need the complete set system but instead, only a net and a ball will do for easy set up. So depending on what you need the volleyball set for, a portable one will be best for leisure while a permanent set would be suitable for more serious play.
Size And Weight
When it comes to the size and weight of the volleyball set you’re getting, make sure you weigh out your options, quite literally. If you want to get a professional and permanent set then be prepared for it to weigh more than the portable one as it will have a regular sized net and more durability hence heavier materials used. But when picking one for leisure, it will be lighter and smaller so that it's portable and convenient.
Quality And Materials Used
The quality of a volleyball set is a major factor to consider. Even though the quality you get will be directly proportional to the price, it doesn’t mean you can’t get good options while staying within your budget.
Getting thick poles and a good quality volleyball will lead to your set lasting longer. The volleyball can either be made of a synthetic or leather material with the thick synthetic material lasting you a long time while being good for any kind of use when it comes to leisure play. Whereas, leather is more of a professional material as it is more expensive and more durable.
Ease Of Use
If you’re a beginner then a volleyball set that is easy and comfortable for you to use is of the utmost importance. You can find various brands that cater to beginners, either for professional use or for leisure games at the beach or indoors. A volleyball set should be easy to set up and disable whenever you need to. The best tip would be to read the product information when buying so you have a clearer idea of the skills that particular product caters to.
FAQs
How tall should my volleyball net be?
Volleyball nets don’t have a specific height that they need to be. Most volleyball sets come with adjustable net mechanisms and pole height so you can bring it down if you feel like it’s too tall for you or increase the height depending on what your personal preference is.
What is the difference between a permanent and a home-based volleyball set?
A permanent volleyball set is also known as a professional set and is more commonly used for serious plays including competitions, tournaments and professional training whereas home-based volleyball sets are known as indoor sets that can easily be set up at home. The main difference between the two is that these home-based sets have lighter balls and poles with more of a smooth surface than the permanent sets do.
How do I secure the poles of a portable volleyball set?
The poles of a portable volleyball set can be secured using ropes and stakes to the bottom. Usually volleyball sets require you to drive the ends of the poles into whatever surface you’re playing on. However, another option would be to make anchors for the poles which can be done by filling up two cans with either sand if you’re at the beach or cement if you’re at home or a picnic, sink a PVC pipe in the middle of these cans and then slide the volleyball poles into the PVC pipe to further fix them.