Sitting Volleyball
Sitting Volleyball is an adaptive version of traditional Volleyball that anyone can play. It's played in a seated position, and utilises the same Volleyball skills and techniques as the standing game with a few changes. The court is smaller, the net is lower, and players must have one "cheek" on the ground when they make contact with the ball.
Sitting Volleyball traces its roots back to the Netherlands in 1956, where it was initially developed as a form of rehabilitation for wounded soldiers. The sport gained recognition as an official event for men at the 1980 Paralympic Games and later saw the inclusion of a women's competition in the program starting from the Athens 2004 Paralympics.
Sitting Volleyball can be played indoors or on the beach. Although Sitting Volleyball is a game for everyone, at the national level players are only eligible to play if they have a permanent injury or disability that affects their ability to perform Volleyball movements, such as running and jumping, or their ability to perform basic Volleyball skills. These specific classifications are Disabled (D) or Minimal Disabled (MD). For more information regarding classifications, please check out our resources below.
The game is played on a smaller court with a lower net, and for this reason, is a faster game than traditional Volleyball. Players must keep one buttock ("cheek") in contact with the floor, especially when playing the ball. Matches follow a best-of-five sets format, with the winning team the first to reach 25 points, or 15 in the fifth set.
International Rulebook – Sitting Volleyball
How does it differ from the standard game?
- The court is smaller — 10m x 6m
- The net is lower — 1.15m for men and 1.05m for women
- Players remain seated on the court during play
- The service can be blocked
- The passage of play is quicker due to the reduced court size
Watch this space!
Volleyball NSW is currently working hard to develop Sitting Volleyball programs. We will update this space as soon as more information is available!
In the meantime, Volleyball NSW will be continuing its efforts to deliver Sitting Volleyball at Multi-Sport and Active Inclusion days throughout the calendar year.
Classification systems provide the means to group together athletes with a similar level of impairment in relation to a particular sport. The objective of classification is to ensure that the result of sport competition is determined by sport skill, rather than differences in the level of impairment or disability. In a team sport, such as Volleyball, teams are composed of a group of athletes with a set combination of classifications, thereby ensuring that a team’s overall impairment or disability level is similar. This creates a level playing field between teams as well as allowing a mix of players with varying degrees of ability to play at the one time.
There are 2 classes for Sitting Volleyball. These are:
MD (minimal disability): these athletes either have a similar level of impairment as the “A” standing Volleyball players, or they meet the minimal disability special condition applicable especially to Sitting Volleyball. These conditions include severe ligamentous instability of the knee or shoulder and several others.
D (disabled): these athletes have impairments that are equivalent to the “B” and “C” players described for standing Beach Volleyball.
A Sitting Volleyball team may have a maximum of one (1) “MD” player on court at any time, and the remainder of the team must be made up of “D” players.
How Do I Get Classified?
To get classified complete the “Get Classified Form” on Paralympics Australia’s website.
If you have further questions on classification please contact classification@paralympic.org.au
Equipment for Sitting Volleyball can be purchased directly through Volleyball Australia via link below.
 |
Volleyball Australia |
To learn more about Sitting Volleyball, available upskilling opportunities, and coaching/facilitating materials, please use the resources below.
 |
 |
 |
World ParaVolley
|
Coaching Modules |
Sitting Volleyball
|
For more information regarding the opportunities available to participate in Sitting Volleyball, or have any general enquiries about this space, please contact lachlan.marsh@volleyballnsw.com.au
