Setting up a volleyball court in Naples for autumn

L'ispirazione dei campioni e la ripartenza nei quartieri napoletani

September brings a special energy for volleyball lovers in Naples, this year amplified by an unprecedented historic event. On Thursday 10 September 2026, at 21:05, the men's national team led by head coach Fefè De Giorgi and captain Simone Giannelli will make their debut at EuroVolley 2026 against Sweden. The match will be played in a 6,500-seat outdoor arena set up in the splendid setting of Piazza del Plebiscito, under the watchful eyes of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. In case of bad weather, the event will move to PalaSele in Eboli, but enthusiasm in the city is already sky-high, also thanks to the official presentation on 9 September at Palazzo San Giacomo with mayor Gaetano Manfredi and FIPAV president Giuseppe Manfredi.

This big volleyball fever coincides with what many consider the true "New Year of volleyball", namely the resumption of amateur courses and self-managed tournaments. For those who want to move from the stands to the court, the map of active organisations in Naples offers excellent reference points. Napoli Pallavolo ASD, founded in 2021 and led by Gerardo Amato, is restarting its twice-weekly amateur courses for adults at the Palestra Bordiga in Ponticelli and the gym of the Liceo O. Flacco in Portici. In Scampia, on the other hand, Athena Volley is reopening its doors, organising amateur matches and training sessions for parents and enthusiasts in the branch of the IC Alpi Levi in Via Labriola.

Le regole per allestire un campo sicuro ed economico

When organising independently in a school gym or an outdoor space, the correct court configuration is the first step to ensure fun and injury-free matches. A regulation court for six-a-side play measures 18x9 metres, divided in half by a net positioned at 2.43 metres for men's tournaments and 2.24 metres for women's. As for equipment, the technical dossier indicates that regulation balls must have a circumference of 65-67 centimetres and a weight between 260 and 280 grams. For any other specifications, such as the exact inflation pressure or variations for mixed or youth championships, it is recommended to check the details in the official regulations of the event or the organising body.

If your group's budget is tight, there is no need to sacrifice the quality of play. You can focus your resources on a few crucial elements and find creative solutions for the rest:

• La tensione della rete: This is the element where you cannot compromise. A loose net alters the trajectories of balls touched on the block and increases the risk of dangerous foot faults under the net. Use sturdy tensioners and check the height both at the centre and at the sides before starting.
• Le linee del campo: If the gym does not have dedicated markings, the most economical and high-performing solution is rubberised floor tape. It can be applied in a few minutes, withstands changes of direction, and is removed without leaving glue residue on the parquet or linoleum.
• La pressione dei palloni: An under-inflated ball makes setting difficult and reception unpredictable, while an over-inflated one risks straining hand and wrist joints. The correct pressure should be checked in the event regulations, but a good rule of thumb on the court is that the ball should only yield slightly under firm thumb pressure.

Gli errori più comuni nei tornei amatoriali autogestiti

The rush to start playing often leads groups of friends to overlook details that prove decisive during the tensest sets. The typical mistake of amateur players concerns the management of the space under the net and the marking of the centre line. Playing without a clear centre line or tolerating continuous net violations "because we are just among friends" is the main cause of sprained ankles.

Another frequent mistake is placing the net posts too close to the sidelines without adequate protection. Colliding with metal supports while recovering an off-centre ball can be avoided by spacing the posts at least one metre from the sidelines, as required by safety standards. If space in the gym is limited, cover the posts with foam mats secured with adhesive tape. Finally, never underestimate the presence of mobile antennae on the net: without them, determining whether an external attack has crossed the regular playing space becomes a source of endless arguments that ruin the atmosphere of the match.

Pratica sul campo: il riscaldamento e la gestione dei materiali

Before rushing into attacking, especially after the summer break, the transition from inactivity to jumping requires careful physical preparation. Here is how to manage the initial phase of your amateur match on the set-up court:

• Controllo preliminare dell'attrezzatura: Before the starting whistle, have two players do a reconnaissance round to check that there is no lifting of the adhesive tape on the lines and that the net has not sagged in the middle.
• Riscaldamento specifico per le spalle: Perform arm circles first with body weight and then with small weights or resistance bands attached to the net posts. The typical mistake of amateur players is starting to spike cold, overloading the shoulder joint. The correction consists of performing at least ten controlled attacks from the ground before starting to jump at the net.
• La gestione dei palloni di riserva: Keep unused balls in a bag or cart well away from the endlines. A ball rolling onto the court during play is a very serious hazard for anyone jumping to block or landing after an attack.

Organising a volleyball evening in Naples with your group of friends is the best way to experience the sporting passion that currently unites the whole city. To coordinate attendance, collect gym rental fees, and decide who brings the balls and line tape, using a dedicated application simplifies life for the organiser, leaving only the fun of the court.