building an outdoor middle school volleyball court

Question
Hi Tom, My question is how big should a volleyball court be for use by grades 6-8 outside. We have a small recreation field and we want to utilize it effectively for multiple game activities. So we would like to be able to remove the net at various times. The other question is an appropriate surface. At the moment we have clay soil which eventually we would like to grass. Should we put sand down at this time? Will sand interfere with other activities such as soccer, football and other running games?
Your advice is appreciated.
Marc Bruehl

Answer
Good afternoon and welcome to www.allexperts.com!  It's great to hear from you.

a) I'd make each side 30' by 30'.  Yes, the women who play sand vball on TV play on a court that's just a few inches smaller.  But I wouldn't worry about it.  Just a few years ago, everyone played on the same size court.  Plus, women playing doubles is the ONLY court that's not the regular 30' by 30'.  

b) I'd also just use your grass.  If you bring in sand, then that's costly, passing cats will use it for a bathroom, you can't have a football or baseball field with a 60' by 30' pile of sand in the middle, etc.  

c) To keep the grass from dying, most people set up their net in a different location each time.  For boundaries, people use a 180 foot long piece of rope that they get at hardware stores, stick really long nails through it at 30' intervals, stretch the rope out, and then drive the nails into the ground so that you have a 60' by 30' rectangle.  Boom: Volleyball boundaries!  So the boundaries can just be yanked up when you're done (don't take the nails out of the rope!) and be hammered back when you want to play again.

I hope that answered your question.  Sure you can have a sand court (everyone thinks they're cool!), but just like having your own pool, you either have to maintain it, or it will just be ignored and eventually you'll wonder why you even threw all that money down the drain.  But with a grass court, all you need is a lawn mower!  :)  Yep, you can not play for 3 years, mow the grass, lay down boundaries, put up the net, and "LET'S PLAY!"  

Thank you again for visiting.  Please visit www.coachhouser.com when you have a moment.  Eight summer camps are done.  Only 1 left....and it starts on Wednesday at Red Lion Christian in Delaware.  

Thanks!
Tom Houser
Roanoke, VA