Dimensions The playing court is 18m long and 9m broad, with a free zone 3m wide on both sides. The open playing space is the region above the playing area that is at least 7m above the playing surface. This includes the service boxes, which are 3m high x 3m wide. The ball has a diameter of 0.6-0.8cm, depending on the type of game being played. It is inflated when thrown or hit. Weight Approximately 5kg. Balls come in various sizes and levels of hardness. The size of the ball determines how far it can be thrown while still being controllable by the player. Balls used in beach volleyball are usually smaller than those used in indoor sports. Indoor balls are heavier and larger than those used on the beach, with weights ranging from about 220g to 250g and diameters of about 19mm to 21mm. Beach balls are typically about 1.5 times as heavy as an indoor ball and have diameters of about 10-12mm. Beach balls are generally softer than indoor balls, but neither is completely soft. The degree of hardness depends on the type of game being played.