Volleyball, in almost any form, offers a grace an intensity few other sports can match. From the excitement of beach volleyball to the camaraderie of team volleyball in an arena setting, it’s a sport that makes a meaningful contribution to many lives. As with any other sport, though, the right equipment is absolutely essential. Whether you’re trying to outfit a school team, a health club, or something more pressing, understanding exactly what to get right off the bat is important. Before you can even order what you want, though, you have a few decisions to make.

Indoor or Outdoor: While the basic equipment needed to play the game doesn’t vary from location to location, there are some specifics about each game that do vary. Decide whether you’re going with an indoor or outdoor court first. If it’s outdoor, will players be engaging in sand volleyball? If it’s an indoor court, you need some other information too. Is it going to be possible to anchor the net to the floor or walls? If not, there are still options available, but you can’t place an order until you know for sure.

Recreation or League Play: You may also want to know whether you have players who will be competing for recreational purposes or for professional ones. Those who will be competing at the professional level likely need very specific equipment to make their wins and losses valid ones. Those who are just looking for a fun Friday night event, though, won’t need the specifics the pros or semi-pros often do.

Once you’ve made your choices, you can start looking at required equipment. At the very basic level, you need a net and boundary markers. There are lots of options within those two choices, though, as well as a few accessories. For example, some nets come with an optional referee stand that attaches to the side of the net. You could also order stand padding or even tape to run down the sides of the net with your team’s name on it. If you’re building an outdoor court, you can get weatherproof options that will stand up to the toughest conditions.

Not sure where to begin? You may not be the best person to be ordering the equipment. Instead, sit down with the coach, league officials, or even players to help you carefully plan the court and the needed equipment before you place any orders. After all, if you intend to host bigger fish, you’ll need official status for your court, and you can only get that with the right equipment!