Teams and player equipment
FIVB · 2025–2028Who may take part, where substitutes may warm up and what players may wear.
Rule 4 — Players and staff
A team normally has up to 12 players, a coach, up to 2 assistant coaches, a therapist and a doctor. FIVB, World and Official senior competitions allow up to 14 players and specify bench and accreditation arrangements. Only registered players may play; once the coach and captain sign the team list, it cannot be changed.
Non-playing players sit on the bench or remain in the warm-up area. During play they may warm up there without balls; during time-outs they may warm up without balls behind their court in the free zone. Between sets, they may use balls in their own free zone.
Rule 4 — Uniforms and safe equipment
Team jerseys, shorts and socks must match, except for the Libero. Jerseys normally carry numbers 1–20, with extended numbering permitted in specified senior competitions. Numbers must contrast clearly, appear on the front and back and be at least 15 cm high on the chest and 20 cm on the back. The captain’s chest number is underlined by an 8 × 2 cm stripe.
The first referee may permit barefoot play, replacement of wet or damaged uniforms with matching colour, design and number, or matching numbered tracksuits in cold weather. Dangerous objects and items giving an artificial advantage are forbidden. Glasses or contact lenses are worn at the player’s risk. Protective compression pads are allowed; senior FIVB competitions impose matching-colour requirements.
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