Volleyball is a team sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net. Each team aims to ground the ball on the opponent's side while preventing the ball from touching the ground on their own side. The game starts with a serve, with players rotating positions after winning a rally. Points are scored when the ball hits the ground within the opponent's court or if the opponent commits a fault. Teams can touch the ball up to three times before it must be sent over the net. Common faults include touching the net, stepping over the center line, and carrying or holding the ball. Matches are typically played in a best-of-five sets format, with each set won by the team first to reach 25 points (with a two-point advantage).
Volleyball: equipment and clothing
Volleyball players commonly use equipment and clothing from various brands that specialize in sportswear and gear. Some popular brands include:
- Mizuno: Known for its high-quality volleyball shoes, apparel, and equipment, Mizuno is a preferred choice among many volleyball players for its durability and performance.
- Asics: Asics produces a wide range of volleyball-specific shoes renowned for their comfort, stability, and support. They also offer volleyball apparel and accessories.
- Nike: A leading brand in sportswear, Nike provides volleyball players with a range of performance-driven clothing, including jerseys, shorts, and socks, as well as footwear options.
- Adidas: Adidas offers volleyball players a selection of shoes designed for performance and comfort on the court, along with apparel and accessories suitable for training and competition.
- Under Armour: Known for its innovative sportswear technology, Under Armour produces volleyball clothing and footwear designed to enhance performance and provide durability.
- Mikasa: Mikasa is a prominent brand for volleyball equipment, particularly volleyballs themselves. Their balls are widely used in competitions worldwide for their quality and consistency.
These brands are popular among volleyball players for their focus on performance, durability, and comfort, catering to the specific needs of athletes on the volleyball court.
Volleyball: sponsors
The biggest sponsors of volleyball teams and athletes vary depending on factors such as regional popularity, team success, and individual player endorsement deals. However, some of the most prominent sponsors in the volleyball world include:
- Red Bull sponsors numerous volleyball teams and athletes globally, supporting both beach and indoor volleyball. They often provide financial support, training facilities, and marketing opportunities to athletes.
- Samsung has been a significant sponsor of volleyball, particularly in Asia. They sponsor various teams and events, contributing to the development and promotion of the sport in the region.
- The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has partnerships with several major companies, including Mikasa, Asics, Gerflor, and Senoh. These partners support FIVB events, teams, and initiatives worldwide.
- The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) also collaborates with various sponsors to support volleyball in Europe. Companies like Mikasa, Gerflor, and Ganten are among the CEV's partners, providing support to European teams and events.
- Many national volleyball federations have partnerships with local and international companies to sponsor their teams and athletes. These sponsors may include sportswear brands, telecommunications companies, financial institutions, and more.
- Individual Endorsements: Top volleyball players often have individual endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Mizuno, and Asics. These deals may include sponsorships for apparel, footwear, equipment, and promotional activities.