What to Wear to Volleyball Practice?

All volleyball players face the same challenge: choosing the right gear for practice. This is true for beginners and experienced players. While volleyball is fun, the wrong equipment hurts performance and causes discomfort. So, you need the right shoes, clothes, and accessories to assist your practice and eventually make your serves and spikes more effective. This article gives you a comprehensive guide on what to wear to volleyball practice.

Basic Volleyball Apparel

T-shirts

T-shirts are crucial for volleyball. You are supposed to choose a proper fit that allows good movement, because the loose one will interfere with your motion, and the tight one will restrict breathing. Moreover, different fabrics have different functions. For example, moisture-wicking material keeps players dry. Breathable fabric prevents skin irritation. Short sleeves improve air flow, and long sleeves provide sun protection.

Volleyball Jerseys

Volleyball jerseys are lightweight and breathable. They have good performance. Their fabrics can manage sweat well. Additionally, a good fit is important since a proper fit allows full motion, and a bad fit can slow a player down. What’s more, custom jerseys are popular among teams. Because they can display team styles, build team identity, and team spirit.

Volleyball Shorts

Good volleyball shorts are made from breathable fabrics, allowing free movement and providing support. Many players wear compression shorts because they can fit snugly and promote blood circulation. In addition, short shorts are popular among volleyball players because they can minimize the restrictions on movement and facilitate sweating as well.

Volleyball Socks

Comfort and performance are the key elements of volleyball socks. The socks’ fabric should be moisture-wicking, which takes sweat away and makes players’ feet dry quickly. They mustn’t be loose because they may slip down while moving. Besides, the socks need to provide support for the arch. A good volleyball sock can also help stop blisters during exercise.

Volleyball Shoes

Volleyball shoes are made from gum rubber soles, which provide a good grip on indoor courts. This design enables players to move quickly. They also have cushioning in the front. This cushioning softens landings from jumps, making them different from regular sneakers.

Volleyball Protective Gear

Wristbands

Volleyball players often wear wristbands during practice. The wristbands help absorb sweat, keeping players’ hands dry. As a result, players can grip the ball firmly. What’s more, the wristbands also play the role of marking positions on the court. They can indicate a player’s handedness, help teammates communicate, and coordinate. All of these can make volleyball training more efficient.

Finger Tapes

Finger tapes are common in volleyball. You can wear it for both protection and performance. These finger types have the function of protecting your skin and nails by reducing swelling, friction, and cracks. They can also provide support while attacking and blocking without reducing agility. In case of injury, you can bind the adjacent fingers together to form a flexible splint, which can stabilize the joint, ease pain, and promote recovery. Beyond functions, it has become a popular fashion symbol, expressing team spirit and individuality.

However, there are some taping tips you need to know. You should taper pressure from base to tip. Proper spiral application is essential. If your fingers are swollen, it’s important to consult a doctor and stop if discomfort happens, as it may indicate overly tight wrapping.

Arm Sleeves

Volleyball arm sleeves can put some pressure on your arms, which prompts your blood circulation. And the better blood flow will help your muscles recover. The sleeves also protect your skin from scratches. Additionally, in cold weather, they can provide extra cover for your arms and keep you warm. Nowadays, many volleyball players wear arm sleeves during practice not only for their performance, but also for fashion.

Volleyball Kneepads

Kneepads can protect players from injury and are important for volleyball. Players often crouch and slide, which requires their knees to move frequently. This action may hurt their knees. But with a Kneepad, they can prevent bruises and other damage. Moreover, players need to choose kneepads that fit well. The pads should stay in place during play. They should also allow full movement. Good kneepads have enough padding and are not too bulky. Many top pads have special linings, which can pull moisture away. All of these keep the player comfortable and concentrate on the practice.

Ankle Braces

Ankles may hurt easily without protection. Due to the fast-paced motion during volleyball practice, a slight misstep at the ankle could result in a sprain. So, it’s important to wear ankle braces, which provide support for your ankle and make your joint stable. Many players wear ankle braces in their shoes. Even if they haven’t been hurt before, they still choose to wear them as a preventive measure. Except for preventing sprains, ankle braces help stop common injuries. If you want to stay safer or you are recovering, ankle braces can be a good choice.

The Importance of Materials

The correct fabrics can make your practice more comfortable and efficient. You should prioritize moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics, such as polyester-spandex blends. These materials can absorb sweat and keep you dry quickly, which makes you feel comfortable during intense training. What’s more, features like flatlock seams also enhance comfort by preventing chafing.

You should avoid fabric made from 100% cotton. This fabric will retain moisture and become heavy. This focus on high-performance fabrics ensures better agility and training efficiency on the court.

FAQ

How Should Volleyball Kneepads Fit?

You should choose volleyball kneepads that fit snugly and cover your kneecap completely. What’s more, your knneepads shouldn’t restrict your circulation. They are supposed to put the thickest padding just below the kneecaps, which gives the best protection. Additionally, the kneepads shouldn’t slide down and stay in place, which provides you with confidence to move freely. If you are between sizes, select the smaller size, since the material will stretch when you move.

What Is the Volleyball Dress Code?

Teams must wear the jerseys and pants in the same color. The pants can be spandex, shorts, or leggings. All jerseys require a clear, contrasting number on the front and back, typically using numerals from 1 to 99. However, the Libero must wear a jersey that contrasts with the team’s jersey for easy identification. For safety, jewelry below the chin is generally prohibited, though small stud earrings are often permitted. Moreover, players must wear non-marking court shoes and are encouraged to use knee pads for protection.

Are Leggings Allowed in Volleyball?

During practice, you can wear whatever you want, as long as it is safe and does not interfere with the training. What’s more, leggings are also allowed at most competitive levels, such as NCAA, NFHS, and USA Volleyball. Players often choose leggings to prevent floor burns, improve comfort, or for cultural and religious modesty.

However, there are some rules you need to obey during these competitions. Firstly, your leggings are supposed to be a solid color that matches the bottom of the team’s uniform. Then the team color must be consistent, while the style and the length don’t need to be the same. When selecting leggings, players should opt for performance-grade compression fabric to withstand intense dives and lateral movements.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that it’s important to select proper volleyball gear. The appropriate volleyball gears enable your practice to be more comfortable and efficient. From this article, you can know the importance of different types of volleyball gear, and you can select the suitable equipment according to your demand. This is a crucial step before you enter the training gym.

Goaluniform is a professional sportswear supplier. We offer advanced sublimated technology and high-quality customization service. If you want to customize volleyball uniforms, Goaluniform can be your best partner. Don’t hesitate to contact us and ask for a quote for your volleyball uniforms right now!