Youth Volleyball: A Parent Guide to Net Heights, Club and Recruiting

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A 12U team in matching pink knee pads, three girls trying their first overhand serves at a 7-foot net while a parent counts how many make it over. Six months later, the same girls are boarding a flight to a national qualifier. Youth volleyball moves fast, and parents get a lot of questions at once: what height should the net be, club or school, what will it cost, how much is too much, and when do college coaches start calling? This guide answers them with the rules from USA Volleyball and the NFHS and the health advice from pediatric and sports medicine groups.

Back to our volleyball hub for the overview, or see the full rules and who runs each level.

Net heights by age

USA Volleyball, which runs most junior club volleyball, sets these indoor net heights. High school matches use the adult heights: 7 ft 4⅛ in for girls and 7 ft 11⅝ in for boys.

Age group	Girls	Boys
10 and under	1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)	2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)
11-12 and under	2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)	2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)
13-14 and under	2.24 m (7 ft 4⅛ in)	2.24 m (7 ft 4⅛ in)
15-18 and under	2.24 m (7 ft 4⅛ in)	2.43 m (7 ft 11⅝ in)

On the beach, the FIVB lowers the net to 2.12 m for 14 and under and 2.00 m for 12 and under. A lower net lets young players attack and serve with good technique instead of just lobbing the ball over.

The right ball for kids

Teens and adults use a regulation size 5 ball (65 to 67 cm around, 260 to 280 g). Younger players do better with lighter balls of the same size, which sting less on the forearms while they learn to pass. The Molten VB-U12 is made for players 12 and under and listed as the official ball of USA Volleyball (about $37 in October 2026), and the Tachikara Volley-Lite is a full-size ball the maker says is about 25% lighter (about $32). Once players reach high school, they’ll need an NFHS-approved game ball like the Tachikara SV5WSC (about $34).

Club vs school volleyball

School volleyball runs under NFHS rules and your state association: one season, matches against nearby schools and a state playoff. It’s usually the cheapest way to play, and for many players it’s the most fun: the student section, the school colors, friends on the team.

Club volleyball runs outside school for most of the year, with teams by age group (12U, 14U, 16U and so on) registered with a USA Volleyball region, the AAU or both. Teams train a few nights a week and travel to weekend tournaments. The top teams aim for the national championships in June and July: the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando (June 15 to July 10 in 2026) and USA Volleyball’s Girls Junior National Championships (Minneapolis for 11-13s and Indianapolis for 14-17s in 2026). Many families also choose club hoping for college exposure, which is part of the appeal and part of the pressure.

What does club volleyball cost?

Costs vary hugely by club, region and travel schedule, and we haven’t found a reliable national figure for volleyball alone. For context, the Aspen Institute’s Project Play survey found the average US sports family spent $1,016 on one child’s main sport in 2024, up 46% since 2019, with registration, travel, camps, private lessons and equipment the main costs, and some families spending far more. Before you sign, ask each club for a written list of club dues, uniforms, tournament fees, travel and hotel expectations, and refund rules.

Health and safety for young players

The injuries to watch for

In a study of 2,072 high school girls on 78 teams (2018 season), 22.5% were injured at least once. Ankles were the biggest share of injuries that cost playing time (28%), and fingers and hands led the minor injuries. Ankle sprains tend to come back: in one study, most volleyball ankle injuries were repeat sprains. For players who have sprained an ankle, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends a brace or tape for practices and games, plus balance training. Knee pain below the kneecap in a jumping athlete and a shoulder that aches when serving deserve a check, not just more ice. More on our volleyball injuries page and in our ankle brace guide.

Too much volleyball?

Between school, club, private lessons and summer beach, it’s easy to play all year. In a survey of 276 girls aged 13 to 18, players who played only volleyball logged more hours a year (advanced players about 490 hours versus about 300 for beginners and intermediates), and higher volume went with more injuries; about 1 in 5 injured players missed more than a month. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that specializing early can harm young athletes physically and mentally. Practical steps: at least one day off a week, real breaks between seasons, another sport or activity in the off-season, and enough sleep (9 to 12 hours a night for children 6 to 12, 8 to 10 for teens, per the CDC).

Concussion: recognize and remove

Volleyball concussions mostly come from being hit by the ball. The CDC’s HEADS UP program says to remove a player who shows signs (looking dazed, headache, dizziness, balance problems, sensitivity to light or noise, confusion) right away, keep them out for the rest of the day, and return only after a healthcare provider clears them, step by step. Call 911 for danger signs such as seizures, growing drowsiness, a worsening headache or unequal pupils.

Beach volleyball for kids

Sand is a great place to learn ball control and movement. Protect young skin: the CDC recommends broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher, reapplied after 2 hours and after sweating or toweling off, plus a hat, sunglasses and shade between matches. Pack plenty of water.

College recruiting basics

• Where the teams are: the NCAA projected 1,055 women’s, 206 men’s and 90 women’s beach volleyball teams for 2025-26, plus NAIA and junior college (NJCAA) programs. Our leagues page has the details.
• Scholarships: NCAA Division I and II schools can offer athletic scholarships; Division III schools can’t.
• Eligibility: to play in Division I or II, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division I asks for 16 core courses and at least a 2.3 core-course GPA.
• Timing: NCAA Division I women’s volleyball has a recruiting calendar with contact, quiet and dead periods that limit when coaches can meet players in person. In most Division I sports, coaches can start calling and messaging recruits on June 15 after their sophomore year, with official visits from August 1 before junior year. Rules change, so check the current NCAA calendar.
• Grades and video: keep grades up, keep a short highlight and full-match video, and email coaches with your club schedule. Your club and high school coaches can help.

Growing players also need fuel and rest: see volleyball nutrition, recovery and volleyball gear for knee pads, braces and balls. If your child also plays soccer, our youth soccer guide covers that side.

Youth volleyball FAQs for parents

What age can kids start volleyball?

USA Volleyball sets net heights starting at 10 and under, and many rec programs start younger with lighter balls and lower nets. What matters most at the start is fun, ball control and lots of touches.

How high is the net for 12U volleyball?

7 feet (2.13 m) for both girls and boys under USA Volleyball rules. Girls 10 and under play at 6 ft 6 in, and at 13-14 everyone moves to 7 ft 4⅛ in.

Is club volleyball worth it?

For players who love the sport and want more touches, coaching and college exposure, often yes. It costs much more than school ball and takes over weekends, so compare clubs’ full costs, coaching and travel, and make sure your child still gets rest and other activities.

Should my daughter wear ankle braces for volleyball?

If she has sprained an ankle before, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends a brace or tape for all practices and games, plus balance training. Many players without a past sprain wear them too. Ask an athletic trainer or physical therapist about fit.

When do college volleyball coaches start recruiting?

Coaches watch club tournaments early, but NCAA rules limit when they can contact players. In most Division I sports, calls and messages can start June 15 after sophomore year. Check the current NCAA recruiting calendar for volleyball and your division.