If you’ve ever seen a volleyball match play out it’s probably not surprising to know that height matters a great deal. After all, you have to toss the ball over the net and ground it against the other team’s court. Since there is no equipment other than the ball itself players use their limbs, mainly arms, and hands to lob the ball.
And since vertical jumps are one of the outstanding techniques of the sport, the taller you are the easier you’ll find it to score against your opponents. That said, you may be wondering how tall do you have to be to play volleyball? Is there a preferred minimum? What are the competition standard requirements? How can shorter players overcome their height disadvantage?
What is the average height of professional volleyball players?
When it comes to competing at a high level most of the top-ranking players have a higher average height. For example, in the professional leagues, the heights of female players range between 5 ft 7 in and 6 ft 5 in. Whereas the average standard for men is between 6 ft 1 in. to 6 ft 10 in. Many of the pros edge towards the upper end of this spectrum or even exceed it.
That said if you simply want to play volleyball, whether for fun or up to a collegiate tournament level you don’t have to be as tall at all. In fact, the minimum height requirement for volleyball players is usually 5 feet. If you meet this standard you can compete in the college competitions without issue.
How tall do you have to be to play volleyball?
The specifics for height requirements vary depending on the governing board, performance tier, and most importantly players’ positions. Like with all sports a volleyball team has a number of roles team members must play and certain roles are better suited to shorter players than others. Don’t worry, it isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds. In fact, here are a few of the main standards that might concern you.
For Libero or Defensive Specialists
When it comes to volleyball as a competitive sport most of the strategy takes an aggressive approach. In fact, the libero is the only player that has a designated defensive position. If you’re looking to spot them on a court, they’re the ones in a different colored jersey. Their only job is to defend their end of the court. Naturally, this means that height isn’t really an issue. Other skills like speed, agility, and consistency take far more precedence in selection.
The libero is the best position for relatively shorter players to take, despite being one of the most important, high-stakes roles on the court. Of course, even then the exact specifications vary by governing body and division. You can check the requirements for the appropriate designations below.
- National Collegiate Scouting Association
With some of the lowest official requirements, the NCSA divides its categories by performance levels. The higher the standard you want to compete at the taller the average height of players will be.
Division 1
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 5 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 5 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
Division 2
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 2 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches
Division 3
- Both upper and lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The NAIA has a much simpler set of rules with each division having a single height range. Overall, the requirements are lower which may be of interest to shorter players looking to compete at a high level.
Tier 1
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 2 inches and an upper cap at 5 feet 8 inches.
Tier 2
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet and an upper cap at 5 feet 8 inches.
For Setters
Then you have the setter. While height is certainly an asset in this position, it isn’t the only factor that makes a great player. When you’re matched up against the other team’s OH players you need to make snap decisions, showcase technical skill and since this positon is all about control, leadership abilities. So what are the standard height requirements for a setter?
- National Collegiate Scouting Association
Overall, Setters have some of the lowest official height requirements in the league. While the specifics vary depending on your division, this is a good post for skilled, shorter volleyball players to check out.
Division 1
- Both, upper and lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 1 inch
Division 2
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 7 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 4 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
Division 3
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 4 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The NCIA schools have similar requirements for players who want to play competitively at a collegiate level.
Tier 1
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 7 inches and an upper cap at 5 feet 10 inches.
Tier 2
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 4 inches and an upper cap at 5 feet 10 inches.
For OH and RS players
The Outside Hitter is any all-rounder who must be skilled in a variety of tasks including passing, defending, blocking and hitting. Out of these blocking is the one task where height is an advantage and shorter players may be at a disadvantage. However, being on the lesser end of the height scale can give OH players an edge when passing and defending against taller opponents. Overall, a skilled player can learn techniques such as the swing block to overcome any perceived disadvantage and do very well in the OH and RS positions.
- National Collegiate Scouting Association
The official height requirements for this position are slightly higher than the ones mentioned before.
Division 1
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 11 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 2 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet
Division 2
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 11 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
Division 3
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 6 inches and a maximum height requirement of 5 feet 11 inches
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The NCIA schools have similar requirements for players who want to play competitively at a collegiate level.
Tier 1
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 8 inches and an upper cap at 5 feet 11 inches.
Tier 2
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 7 inches and an upper cap at 5 feet 10 inches.
For Middle Hitters
Middle Hitters are responsible for aggressive attacks from the center of the court and must meet a high physical standard to be able to play competitively.
- National Collegiate Scouting Association
Overall, Setters have some of the lowest official height requirements in the league. While the specifics vary depending on your division, this is a good post for skilled, shorter volleyball players to check out.
Division 1
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 6 feet and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 4 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 11 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 3 inches
Division 2
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 2 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 9 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 1 inch
Division 3
- Upper levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 9 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 1 inches
- Lower levels have a minimum height requirement of 5 feet 8 inches and a maximum height requirement of 6 feet
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The NCIA schools have similar requirements for players who want to play competitively at a collegiate level.
Tier 1
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 10 inches and an upper cap at 6 feet 2 inches.
Tier 2
- The height requirements for this level have a lower cap at 5 feet 9 inches and an upper cap at 6 feet 1 inch.