Sitting Volleyball
Sitting volleyball first debuted during the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games. Although as a precursor to the sport, standing volleyball (for athletes with a mobility impairment which is played standing up) appeared at the Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games.
about sitting volleyball
Sitting volleyball is played by two teams battling it out in a fierce competition, relying on teamwork to land the ball in their opponent's court. Teams of six athletes sit opposite their competition, with up to three touches permitted before sending the ball over the net that divides either side of the court.
Athletes with physical impairments are eligible to compete in sitting volleyball. They are divided into two sport classes, VS1 and VS2 that differentiate the extent of an athlete’s impairments.
The sport is played with a low net (1.15m for men and 1.05m for women) and a 10 by six metre court. In sitting volleyball players’ pelvis must always stay in contact with the floor for valid play. A unique rule of sitting volleyball is that upon serving the players are permitted to block the ball.
To win a set, teams must be the first to earn 25 points. Overall, a win is determined by the first team to win three sets.
The sport’s international federation is World ParaVolley
Sitting Volleyball history
Sitting volleyball was initially intended for wounded soldiers as a combination sport between sitzball and volleyball.
It was first played in the Netherlands in 1956. The sport’s Paralympic debut came 24 years later in the Netherlands, during the Arnhem1980 Games alongside standing volleyball.
During the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, women’s sitting volleyball events were initially added, while standing volleyball was removed.
The London 2012 Paralympic Games volleyball events set the record for the most participants and countries represented in sitting volleyball. London 2012 welcomed two events, 197 participants and showcased 15 countries. London 2012 draws a stark contrast to the Arnhem 1980 Games which hosted two events, and seven countries.
The Chinese women’s Paralympic sitting volleyball team won every Paralympic gold from 2004 to 2016 when they lost to USA. Since then, USA has remained undefeated. Currently both China and the USA have the second most gold medals held by a country in sitting volleyball, three, with Iran holding eight gold medals in first place.
Did you know ?
The Rwandan women's sitting volleyball team was the first women's team from SubSaharan Africa to compete in any Paralympic sport
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Introduction to sitting volleyball
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will see up to 192 sitting volleyball players
Federation contact information
Contact
Phil Allen
PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORT RESULTS
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Sitting Volleball FAQ
Yes, anyone is free to play sitting volleyball. Although those who can play sitting volleyball in competition must have a disability that limits them from competing in nondisabled volleyball.
None of the athletes are allowed to stand, walk, or take steps during the game. Their pelvis and in some cases only one side of their buttock must always have contact with the ground to count for valid play.
To play sitting volleyball, athletes require a specialised court and net. The court must be 10 metres by six metres and depending on the gender of the player, the net must be 1.15 metres high for men and 1.05 metres high for women. For those who use a wheelchair, volleyball is adapted to sitting volleyball.
No, sitting volleyball rules state that the ball cannot bounce.
A game of sitting volleyball concludes once a team has won three sets. Sets are won by the first team to score 25 points with the final two being consecutive points.
Sitting volleyball equipment and rules are quite similar to volleyball. Sitting volleyball allows athletes to block a serve, additionally the sitting volleyball court is smaller and the net is lower than in volleyball. There are no other adaptations of volleyball. The game is improperly referred to as sit volleyball, seated volleyball, or wheelchair volleyball, but the official name is sitting volleyball.
In sitting volleyball each set is concluded when a team wins 25 points. They must earn 25 points with the final two points in concession.
The rules of sitting volleyball state that a team is made up of six players.
Six substitutions can be made in each set.
The sitting volleyball team with the most Paralympic gold medals is Iran (eight medals). The second highest earning nations, China and the USA, only have three gold medals.
A team scores in sitting volleyball when their opponent is unable to return the ball in three hits or less.
Although one person is not recognised for inventing sitting volleyball, the Netherlands is credited with the creation of the sport in 1956.