Clear Overhead Space for Safer Volleyball Play

When setting up an outdoor volleyball court, most people focus on the ground-level details like the court surface and boundary lines. But overlooking the space above the court poses a major safety hazard. Low-hanging tree branches, power lines, and other overhead obstructions can make outdoor volleyball risky and less enjoyable.

By understanding the dangers that overhead hazards create, and taking steps to ensure clear space above your court, you can protect players from harm. This allows everyone to dive, jump and spike without fear of collisions.

Dangers of Low-Hanging Branches and Wires

Let's examine why low branches and wires near the court should be avoided or addressed through trimming or relocation.

Injuries from Contact

When playing volleyball, participants are focused upward on tracking and hitting the ball. This makes low-hanging tree limbs easy to run into accidentally. Players may collide at full speed with branches they simply did not see.

Jumping up to block or spike near the net also leads to contact with branches that encroach on the court. Volleyball involves explosive vertical leaps, and branches just 10-15 feet overhead can be struck forcefully by players at the peak of their jump.

Contact with electrical wires that sag over the court poses an even greater danger. Coming into contact with live wires can lead to electrocution or severe shocks and burns. Even touching low voltage lines like cable TV wires is hazardous.

Limited Visibility

Branches hanging down from trees around the court perimeter also block players' overhead views. This impairs their ability to track and react to the ball properly. Vision can be obscured when looking up to receive a serve or when trying to make a play near the net.

Poor visibility caused by low branches increases the risk of the ball striking players. Unobstructed overhead sight lines are essential for following the ball's trajectory and getting into proper position for volleys.

Without a clear view of the ball high in the air, it becomes much harder to judge where it will come down and how to position your body correctly to handle it. Reaction time is reduced, making injuries like being hit in the face more likely.

Remove or Raise Overhead Hazards

To create a safe overhead environment for volleyball, you need to eliminate or increase the height of potential obstructions above the court area. Here are some ways to address hazardous branches and power lines near your setup.

Tree Trimming

• Have trees bordering the court professionally trimmed to remove low-hanging branches. Target any branches less than 15-20 feet overhead.
• You can leave some high canopy for shade, but directly above the court should remain clear.
• Schedule periodic tree maintenance to keep new growth pruned back.

Raise Wires and Cables

• Contact utility companies about raising any lines that sag invasively over your court.
• Wires running above the court should clear the space by at least 15 feet minimum.
• Burying utility lines underground eliminates overhead hazards completely.

Alternative Court Locations

• Scan your property for areas without pre-existing overhead obstructions.
• Choose a yard or open space away from problem trees and utility lines.

Ensure Adequate Clearance

In addition to addressing specific hazards, you need to verify that the area above your whole court has sufficient open space for safe play.

Measure Height

• Use a rangefinder to accurately measure the overhead clearance across the court.
• Factor in maximum jump heights near the net when deciding if space is adequate.

Mind Equipment Too

• Consider removing basketball hoops, swings, or other equipment from inside the court area.
• Relocate equipment outside the court boundaries to keep space unobstructed.

Ongoing Inspections

• Periodically recheck for new overhead obstructions like vegetation growth.
• Overgrown tree branches may require new pruning over time.
• Address any new hazards quickly before play continues.

The Benefits of Open Space Above

Making sure your outdoor volleyball court has ample overhead clearance provides many advantages:

• Unhindered play and maximum visibility for tracking the ball.
• Freedom to jump, dive and move without colliding with objects.
• Greatly reduces the risk of injuries from hitting obstructions.
• More fun and enjoyable volleyball experience for everyone.

Players no longer have to worry about overhead hazards and can run, hit and block without hesitation. Volleyball relies on explosive jumping, diving saves, and focused concentration upwards. Eliminating obstructions helps athletes react to the ball and perform at their best.

Overhead safety should be a top priority when constructing any outdoor volleyball court. Take proactive measures to eliminate or raise low-hanging branches, power lines and other hazards over the playing space.

Conduct routine inspections and maintenance to ensure adequate clearance is maintained over time. The benefit of an open, unobstructed area over the net is substantial for visibility, full mobility and injury prevention.

By providing ample overhead space for players to jump high and move freely, you allow for more competitive and enjoyable volleyball games that everyone can participate in safely.