4 Keys To Selecting Volleyball Sand

When you think of sand volleyball, you probably picture impromptu games being played along a beach at Lake Michigan or on an oceanside court.  However, before you bring your shovel and pail to the shoreline, remember that “beach sand” is not ideal to use for building a sand volleyball court at your park.

When choosing sand for construction of a volleyball court, consider four things:

1. Gravel – eliminate it.  You don’t want players slicing their feet or knees on sharp stones.  Your sand should have few particles above 2mm in diameter.
2. Silt & Clay – minimize them.  Silt and clay are the very small particles found in most sand deposits.  Choose a sand that is washed to remove silt and clay.  A “dirty” sand with too many of these fine particles will get muddy when wet and compact and harden when dry.
3. Sand Particle Size – Find a volleyball sand which is made up mostly of particles sized between 1.0mm and 0.15mm in diameter.  This allows for fast water drainage.
4. Particle Shape – Use sand with “sub-angular” to “sub-rounded” particle shapes.  These shapes ensure proper drainage and best playability for the players.

Selecting the proper sand for your volleyball court is an important step in your project.  However, a properly constructed court involves more than digging a hole and filling it with sand.  Be sure to build your court with proper grading and underdrainage system to carry water away from the court.

For more information about volleyball court construction, please contact Waupaca Sand & Solutions.

Written by Dena DiVincenzo Friday, July 09, 2010 08:06 AM