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How Long Are High School Volleyball Games? (Explained!)

Volleyball is a popular sport played at different levels, from high school to the Olympics. Volleyball games are played in different formats, depending on the level of competition.

In general, a volleyball game that is played best-of-3 usually lasts 60-90 minutes, while a match that is played best-of-5 can easily last 2 hours.

In this article, we will explore the duration of volleyball games at various levels.

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How Long Are High School Volleyball Games?

How Long Are High School Volleyball Games

High school volleyball games typically last between 60-90 minutes, including warm-up time. There is no set time limit, so the length of a game depends on each team’s skill level.

The game is divided into three sets, with each set taking around 20-30 minutes to play. Sets are played until a team hits 25 points and has at least a two-point lead to win the set.

A set can be won by two points, but it cannot exceed 30 points. If the game goes to a third set, it is played to 15 points, and the team that wins two out of three sets is declared the winner.

All games must have a two-point margin for victory, with a cap of 27 points in the first two games. If a third game is needed, it is played to 15 points with a cap of 17 points.

The table below highlights the sets, points, and average game time per competition level:

Competition LevelSetsPoints Per SetTime OutsAverage Game Time
Middle School2 of 3252 x 30 seconds55 minutes
High School2 of 3252 x 30 seconds60 – 90 minutes
College3 of 5252 x 30 seconds60 – 120 minutes
Beach Volleyball2 of 3211 x 30 seconds30 – 60 minutes
Professional3 of 5252 x 60 seconds90 – 120 minutes

How Long Are Middle School Volleyball Games?

Middle school volleyball games are similar to high school games but with a shorter playing time. Middle School matches usually have a time limit of 55 minutes. If it is reached in the middle of a set, finish the point, and the match is over. If a team has already won two games, continue to play until the time limit has been reached. (This modification is meant to encourage practice/skill building. The third game will not be scored).

Similar to high school, Rally scoring will be used, and a team must win 2 of 3 games to win the match. The first team to score 25 points wins the game.

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How Long Are Volleyball Games In College?

A college volleyball game runs longer than high school and middle school games. With high levels of competition, the match can run for as long as 120 minutes (2 hours). 

A college volleyball game is played best 3-of-5 sets, and each set is played to 25 points, and the team that wins three sets wins the match. If the game goes to a fifth (tie-breaker) set, it is played to 15 points. A team must have at least a two-point lead to win a set.

The college 5-set volleyball match can therefore last anywhere from 60 minutes (if 3 sets are won by a team quickly – 20 minutes each) or up to 2 hours (if 5 sets need to be played to declare a winner).

How Long Is A Beach Volleyball Game?

How Long Is A Beach Volleyball Game

Beach volleyball games are shorter than indoor volleyball games, with most games lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. On average, a school beach volleyball game lasts for 45 minutes, including warm-up time.

The game is played in three sets, and each set is played to 21 points. The team that wins two sets wins the match. If the game goes to a third set, it is played to 15 points.

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How Long Is A Volleyball Game In Olympics?

Olympic volleyball games are longer than most other volleyball games. The game lasts for about two hours, including warm-up time. However, a volleyball game does not usually have any time restrictions.

The game is played as a best-of-5 volleyball match, and each set is played to 25 points. The team that wins three sets wins the match. If the game goes to a fifth set, it is played to 15 points.

How Long Was The Longest Volleyball Game?

The longest volleyball game in history was played between Cisterna and Milan on 23 February 2020 and lastest 2 hours and 55 minutes. The scores (34-32, 21-25, 33-31, 21-25, 13-15).

You can watch the highlights of the game in the video below:

The Guinness World Record states that the longest volleyball marathon played indoors is 101 hours and was achieved by SVU Volleybal (Netherlands) in Amstelveen, Netherlands, from 2 to 6 January 2017. The attempt took place at the VU Sportscentre in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

The previous record was 85 hours. This match that is to be remembered in volleyball history was held in December 2011 Netherlands by SVU volleyball players. The game consisted of about 63 matches with 338 sets in total. The accrued points at the end of the game were 14,635. The SVU team played the longest marathon.

How Many Sets Are In A Volleyball Game?

The number of sets in a typical volleyball game depends on the level of competition. In general, volleyball games are played in either three or five sets, with each set having a specific number of points to reach.

In high school volleyball, the game is played in three sets, with each set played to 25 points. If the game goes to a third set, it is played to 15 points. The team that wins two sets out of three is declared the winner.

In college volleyball, the game is played in five sets, with each set played to 25 points. If the game goes to a fifth set, it is played to 15 points. In a five-set match, the team who wins three sets out of five is declared the winner.

According to the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), a typical international or professional volleyball game has five sets. The first four games are played to a maximum of 25 points. The fifth set is played to 15 points. For a team to be declared the winner, they must win a set by two points.

Olympic professional volleyball tournaments have a maximum of 5 sets, and the winning team has to win the first 3. The 3-of-5 sets rule is universal in most volleyball tournaments. The first four sets are played to 25 points minimum. The competing teams have to switch sides at the end of every set.

In beach volleyball, the game is played in three sets, with each set played to 21 points. If the game goes to a third set, it is played to 15 points. The team that wins two sets out of three is declared the winner.

How Many Sets Are In A Volleyball Game

The number of sets in a volleyball game is important because it affects the duration of the game and the strategy that teams use to win. In a three-set game, a team needs to win two sets to win the match, which means they need to focus on winning each set. In a five-set game, a team has more opportunities to come back if they lose a set, but it also means that the game can last longer and require more endurance.

How Many Timeouts In Volleyball?

In volleyball, each team is allowed a limited number of timeouts during a game. Timeouts provide an opportunity for coaches to communicate with their players, adjust their strategy, and rest their team. The number of timeouts allowed and the duration of each timeout depends on the level of competition and the rules of the game.

In high school and college volleyball, each team is allowed two timeouts per set. The duration of each timeout is 30 seconds. Teams can call a timeout at any point during the set, but they cannot call more than two timeouts per set. If the game goes to a fifth set, an additional timeout is allowed for each team.

In USAV and FIVB rules, each team is allowed 2 timeouts per set of 30 seconds.

During NCAA volleyball games, there is a longer time limit of 75 seconds. If both teams are ready, they can enter the court early.

In international and FIVB tournaments, teams are given two 60-second timeouts. Teams can call a timeout at any point during the set, but they cannot call more than two timeouts per set. If the game goes to a fifth set, an additional timeout is allowed for each team.

Technical timeouts, which are usually only used at collegiate and professional levels, are around 60 seconds in length.

It’s important to note that timeouts are not mandatory, and teams are not required to use all of their timeouts. Coaches must make strategic decisions about when to call a timeout based on the flow of the game and the needs of their team.

In addition to team timeouts, there are also individual timeouts that can be called for specific reasons. For example, if a player is injured, they can call an individual timeout to receive medical attention. The duration of an individual timeout is determined by the referee and can vary depending on the situation.

How Long Is A Volleyball Timeout?

The universal volleyball timeout in a typical game is about 30 seconds between each set in a match. The competing teams are each allowed only two timeouts per set. The timeout is permitted before the whistle has been blown for the next set and after one match has ended. The players should sit on the bench during the timeout.

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Does Volleyball Have Halftime?

Unlike basketball games, volleyball does not have a halftime break. Volleyball matches typically take a break between sets that may not exceed three minutes. During the break, teams change sides on the court

How Many Players Are On A High School Volleyball Team?

A volleyball game is played between two teams of six players each. A team may also have six substitute players.

Therefore, a typical high school volleyball team usually has 12 players, with six players on the court at a time. However, some teams can have 10 players and occasionally up to 14. This will vary based on the level of competition.

How Long Is Volleyball Practice?

The duration of volleyball practice varies depending on the coach and the level of competition.

  • In high school, volleyball practice typically lasts for two hours.
  • College volleyball practice can last up to three hours. Players are also expected to do at least three days of lifting and conditioning on top of grueling two to three-hour practices six days a week.
  • Beach volleyball practice is usually shorter, lasting for about an hour.

Conclusion

In conclusion, volleyball games are played in different formats and last for different durations, depending on the level of competition. High school games typically last for one hour, middle school games last up to 55 minutes, college games last up to two hours, and beach volleyball games last for about 45 minutes.