How Long is a Volleyball Game? Understanding Duration

Parents new to the exciting world of youth volleyball often ask, “Just how long is a volleyball game?” We get it - those bleachers aren’t exactly known for their comfort, and figuring out the daily schedule is important. This is especially true when balancing multiple kids, work, and life. Figuring out the length of a volleyball game isn't as straightforward as a basketball game with its fixed quarters. The duration of a volleyball game really depends on a bunch of things. Some factors that affect game length are how many sets are played, the specific rules being used, and even how good the teams are.

• Different Volleyball Game Formats and Set Structures
  • Best 2-of-3 Sets
  • Best 3-of-5 Sets
• How Many Points Are in Each Set?
  • What About Tie-Breakers?
• More Factors That Affect How Long a Volleyball Game
• What's the Typical Duration for a Volleyball Game?
• A Look at Rally Duration in Volleyball
• FAQs about how long is a volleyball game
  • How long does a college volleyball match last?
  • How long does a high school volleyball match last?
  • How many sets are there in a volleyball match?
  • What’s the shortest volleyball set on record?
  • What's the longest volleyball set on record?
• Conclusion
• Title: How Long is a Volleyball Game? A Guide to Match Length

Let's break down the different volleyball game formats. The format of the volleyball game is the biggest factor in figuring out how long a volleyball game will last.

This format is the most common, particularly for younger players, and what you'll likely see in middle school and some JV high school matches. In this case, a volleyball team has to win two out of three sets to be declared the winner.

Keep in mind that a team might win a set and still lose the overall volleyball game. Also, the total number of sets played will impact the length of a volleyball game.

Now, things get more intense with this volleyball game format. Used in varsity high school, college, and professional volleyball, this format, as you probably guessed, requires one team to win three sets to take the match. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

This best 3 out of 5 format impacts the length of the volleyball game. Now 3 sets are needed to be won, meaning as many as 5 sets could be played.

This is where it gets interesting. In both indoor volleyball formats (best 2 out of 3 and best 3 out of 5) a team usually needs 25 points to win a set. To snag the set, a team needs to win by at least two points.

For example, if the score is 24-24, that set isn't over until one team pulls ahead by two. Those rallies can be intense, impacting how long is a volleyball game.

Let’s say both teams win an equal number of sets, such as a 2-2 score in a best 3 out of 5 match. This calls for a tie-breaker set. This final set usually goes up to 15 points, still needing a two-point lead to win. However, the number of points needed to win a tie-breaker set can change based on the league or tournament rules.

Just like a basketball game going into overtime, the length of a volleyball game is affected by elements beyond the set structures:

• Skill Level: Teams evenly matched in skill mean longer, more intense rallies. It’s like watching a game of tennis where no one can land that final shot - captivating but adds time.
• Timeouts: Just like in basketball, each team gets a chance to call timeouts to strategize or just catch a breath. Timeouts are typically brief, but several timeouts can stretch out the game.
• Substitutions: Players switching in and out can also add a bit of time here and there. The more players that are substituted during a volleyball game will affect the overall length of the game.

On average, a typical volleyball game lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, assuming the standard best 2-of-3 set format. A volleyball game played with the best 3-of-5 sets format could last up to 150 minutes. Those really exciting, down-to-the-wire matches with lots of rallies and deuces could easily push these time limits.

However, a unique exception to typical matches occurred during a 2015 game between Algeria and Serbia, when Serbia shut down the match in record-breaking time, taking victory in under 10 minutes. Imagine being in the stands - blink and you’d miss it.

Now, for all you stat-lovers, let's discuss a factor impacting how long a volleyball game lasts – rallies. An average rally in volleyball can widely vary depending on the skill level of the players. The average duration of a volleyball rally, as recorded by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), is around 5-7 seconds. Exceptionally short rallies can finish in under a second.

Let's factor in what are called 'pseudo-rallies,' which include those lightning-fast points from aced serves or service errors. They happen so fast. In 2016 during the Olympics, the FIVB found that removing these pseudo-rallies from the average rally time increased men's rallies to 6.9 seconds and women’s to about 8.25 seconds.

On average, college volleyball matches, usually playing best 3 of 5 sets, can last anywhere between 90 minutes to 2 hours. This time frame keeps in mind breaks between sets and the occasional timeout.

High school volleyball teams typically play the best 2 out of 3 sets format. A typical high school volleyball game takes around 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

The number of sets in a volleyball match depends on the volleyball rules and format being used. Many high school and middle school volleyball games use a best 2 of 3 set format. However, varsity volleyball games often use a best 3 of 5 sets format.

You won't believe it, but in 2015, Serbia crushed Algeria in an unbelievably fast game, beating their opponent in a set lasting less than 10 minutes. The players on the Serbian volleyball team had an average height of 6 feet and 4 inches.

A match between Brigham Young University and Grand Canyon University back in February of 2021 saw a nail-biting second set drag on until Grand Canyon finally clenched the lead with a 45-43 score. A volleyball net is 7 feet and 11 5/8 inches tall for men.

That incredible 88-point battle now holds the record for the longest set in NCAA history. Playing volleyball requires athleticism and stamina.

So, while those bleachers might not get more comfortable as the games stretch on, knowing a little more about the volleyball sport and its different formats gives you a much better sense of how long a volleyball game is, and lets you plan your time accordingly.