Sitting volleyball is a variation of the standing version of the sport. It is played by two teams of six players who slide around the court using the power of their arms to remain in the sitting position. Athletes must be able to move around easily and safely in a seated position. The court dimensions in sitting volleyball are smaller and the net is lower than in Olympic volleyball, making sitting volleyball a fast-paced, intense sport.
Sitting volleyball originated in the Netherlands in 1956 as a rehabilitation sport for injured soldiers. It became an official sport for men at the 1980 Paralympic Games, with a women’s competition added to programme at Athens 2004.
Brief overview of the rules
The sport is played using a standard volleyball, on a smaller court (6m x 10m) and a lower net (1.15m for men, 1.05m for women) than its Olympic counterpart. Matches follow a best-of-five sets format, with the winning team the first to reach 25 points, or 15 in the fifth set. Athletes’ buttocks or backs must maintain contact with the floor, especially when playing the ball.
