Volleyball is a physically demanding sport. It requires both explosive speed and massive endurance. The players may be staying on their side of the court all the time but they will still need to do short sprints to chase the ball. They will also need to jump a great deal for spikes, blocks, and fakes. Sets are usually 30 minutes long and there can be up to 5 sets in a game. The players’ heart rates can shoot through the roof during intense rallies. They will be sweating and breathing heavily. The nature of the game dictates what to wear for volleyball.
Clothes
Clothing has evolved through the years with the early uniforms being extremely modest overalls that quickly got hot underneath. Fortunately, we now have more comfortable clothes for both men and women. The important thing is to use breathable fabric volleyball shorts for cooling and sweat control. This should also stretch easily for freedom of movement. Most teams will get tops and shorts that hug the body. Players typically tuck in excess fabric on their shirts or singlets to make sure that these don’t get in the way. In colder climates, long sleeved shirts are preferred. In hotter climates, sleeveless tops are common.
Shoes
The shoes tend to have a low cut for ease of movement and quick direction changes. They have grippy outsoles that prevent slippage on wet courts. The shoes must have enough cushion to absorb some of the impact when landing from the hundred or so jumps that players make in every game. These should have breathable uppers to prevent heat build-up. The footwear must have durable construction for it to last a long time despite wear and tear. The athletes will generally have separate shoes for strength and conditioning which can involve a lot of running.
Kneepads
Players will often dive to prevent the ball from hitting the floor. Their knees need protection to avoid injuries when they kneel or slide. Kneepads have cushioning on the front to provide the confidence to do whatever it takes to strengthen the defense. They also provide a bit of stability when performing side-to-side movements. The back of the pads usually has a cut-out for air circulation since this part of the legs can get quite hot. The fabric must be soft and stretchable. It should be easy to wash since it will get sweaty and stinky after games.
Others
Volleyball players may wear other things to make them more comfortable such as hair ties to keep the strands away from their faces. Note that touching the net with any part of the body is a violation so long hair has to be controlled. Blockers are likely to tape their fingers because the impact of the ball can break their small bones and strain their muscles. Players might also wear ankle braces to stabilize their feet especially when landing from a jump. Ankle sprains are quite common in this sport so every precaution should be taken to stay pain-free and healthy.
