One of the most significant differences between basketball and volleyball is the dimensions of their playing courts. A basketball court is much bigger as it should accommodate ten players at all times. On the other hand, a volleyball court does not need to be huge since players from both teams stay on separate sides. That said, have you ever wondered how big is a volleyball court compared to a basketball court? To satisfy your curiosity, the information in this article is just what you need.

How Big is a Basketball Court?

If you have ever been to a basketball court where college or professional games are played, it’s truly massive. But just how big is it? Look at the details:

Basketball Court Dimensions

Basketball court size may vary depending on where it’s played and the level of competition. For instance, the NBA uses a court 94 feet in length and 50 feet wide. The same court dimensions are used in the WNBA and NCAA basketball. In the United Kingdom, professional basketball courts are slightly shorter at 91.8 feet and marginally narrower at 49.21 feet.

High school basketball courts may play in smaller venues or whatever is available in the area.

Parts of a Basketball Court

The basketball court is composed of nine basic parts. These are:

• Backboard, basket, and net. Collectively known as the “hoop,” this is what teams shoot and score on.
• Baselines and sidelines. These are the court’s boundary lines. Baselines run the width, while the sidelines run the length of the court.
• Frontcourt and backcourt. The frontcourt is wherever a team is trying to make a basket; the backcourt is where the team is trying to defend.
• Center Court or Center Circle. This circle is found in the middle of the court and divided in two by the mid-court line. Every game begins here with a jump ball.
• Three-Point Line. The three-point line is not a line, per se, but an arc. Anyone shooting and making a shot from behind that arc scores three points instead of two.
• The Paint. Also known as the shaded lane, the paint is the box or rectangle near the hoop. If you’re on offense, you cannot stay in the paint for more than three seconds, or it’s a violation.
• Low Block. The low blocks are located on the edges of the paint on either side.
• Hash Marks. The hash marks are lines on the edges of the paint. They are mainly there to let the non-free-throw shooting players line up during free throws.
• Restricted Area. The restricted area is marked by a small arc inside the shaded lane and is only used in the NBA and NCAA. Defenders standing in the restricted area will not be able to draw charging fouls; only those standing outside do.

How Big is a Volleyball Court?

Like basketball, the size of a volleyball court may vary depending on the league and level of competition. Outdoor and indoor volleyball courts also differ in size. Here is the breakdown of volleyball court dimensions and a brief description of its basic parts:

Volleyball Court Dimensions

Indoor High School Volleyball: 60 feet (length) X 30 feet (width)

ollege and International Volleyball: 59 feet (length) X 29.5 feet (width)

College and International Beach Volleyball: 52.6 feet (length) X 26.25 feet (width)

Recreational Beach Volleyball: 52.5 feet (length) X 26.25 feet (width)

Parts of a Volleyball Court

• Attack Line. Attack lines are located on each side of the net about three meters from the center line. The attack line in volleyball is used to divide the front and backcourt.
• Service Zone. The service zone is placed just beyond the endlines on either side of the court. This is where players serve the ball at the start of each rally.
• Sidelines and Baselines. Similar to basketball, these are the boundary lines of a basketball court. The sidelines run the length while the baselines run the width of the volleyball court.
• Free Zone. The free zone is the area beyond the court’s boundaries. A ball may still be retrieved if it goes to the free zone, provided it does not touch the ground. An attack that lands in the free zone is considered out-of-bounds, which means a point is awarded to the opposing team.

Other zones and placements are related to a volleyball game, such as the substitution zone, Zones 1-6, the coach restriction zone, and the libero replacement zone. The placement of players is often divided into two rows, the front row, and the back row.

The front row is the set or group of three players allowed to attack or block an attack from the other team. This row is made up of the outside hitter, middle hitter, and opposite hitter. These are the primary attackers of the group, although, at times, coaches allow setters to be in the front row to receive and set quicker.

The back row is the other three players whose main duty is defending. They are excellent diggers and service and attack receivers.

Wrapping Things Up: How Big is a Volleyball Court Compared to a Basketball Court?

While volleyball and basketball are two of the most popular sports in the world, they have lots of differences. One of these is the size of the basketball court, the number of players, and their setup. As to the court dimensions, a volleyball court is considerably smaller than a basketball court.

Just how big is a volleyball court compared to a basketball court? Lengthwise, a volleyball court is anywhere from 52 feet to 60 feet; a basketball court, in contrast, is 94 feet, give or take. A volleyball court’s width is between 26 and 30 feet, while a basketball court is more or less 50 feet. As you can see, a volleyball court is much smaller than a basketball court, but that’s because it’s all the game needs. Nothing more and nothing less.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.