What is sitting volleyball?
A fast, accessible team sport where athletes with and without disabilities compete together on equal terms — and one of the most inclusive team sports in the Paralympic movement.
How the game is played
Sitting volleyball is played on a smaller court than standing volleyball — 10m × 6m, with a 2-metre attack line and a lower net. The game moves faster: athletes keep their pelvis in constant contact with the floor, and unlike standing volleyball, blocking and attacking are allowed during serve reception. Matches are best-of-five sets, first to 25 points per set. Each team fields six players at a time, and teams can be mixed-gender.
Who can play
At the recreational and lower levels, sitting volleyball is open to anyone — any age, ability, or gender. At international competitions, athletes are classified into two sport classes based on a medical and functional assessment:
VS1
Athletes with the most significant physical disability, by classification standards.
VS2
Minimal disability. International teams may have up to two VS2 players, but only one on court at a time.
From the Netherlands to the Paralympics
1956
Sitting volleyball emerges in the Netherlands, combining sitzball and volleyball.
1980
Men's sitting volleyball debuts at the Arnhem Paralympic Games.
2004
Women's sitting volleyball is added at the Athens Paralympic Games.
Today
Played in roughly 60 countries, organized in Europe by ParaVolley Europe.