In brief

The net height in women's volleyball is 2.24 m (compared to 2.43 m for men) - official FIVB rule.
The French women's team is ranked 17th in the FIVB world rankings, with Héléna Cazaute as captain (Ranking as of September 3, 2026).
The Women's Ligue A is the French professional championship: RC Cannes holds the record with 21 titles, Volley Mulhouse Alsace is the 2025-2026 champion.
To get started, simply find an FFVolley affiliated club - there are more than 3,000 in France.

Women's volleyball: everything you need to know

Women's volleyball is one of the most popular team sports in France. Indoors, on sand, in competition or for leisure. Thousands of players. A national level that is constantly improving. Here is the essentials, straight to the point.

Specific rules for women's volleyball

Women's volleyball rules are set by the FIVB - the International Volleyball Federation. They are identical to those for men, with one exception: the net height.

The net height: 2.24 m

2.24 m. This is the women's volleyball net height in effect for all senior women's competitions, both indoors and in beach volleyball. That is 19 cm lower than the men's standard (2.43 m). The measurement is taken at the center of the court, from the floor to the top edge of the net. Tolerance at the ends: maximum +2 cm.

Category	Net height
Senior women (indoor & beach)	2.24 m
Senior men (indoor & beach)	2.43 m
U18 girls	2.24 m
U15 girls	2.10 m

The rules of the game: identical for everyone

Six players on the court. Three touches maximum per team. One point per play (rally point system). Mandatory rotation on serve. No difference in rules between men's and women's play, except for the net height. The court dimensions remain identical: 18 m × 9 m indoors.

The libero - specialized defensive position - plays a central role in high-level women's volleyball. They cannot attack above the net or serve in official FIVB competitions.

The French women's volleyball team

French women volleyball players have reached a new level. The French women's team is now a competitive team on the international stage.

Recent ranking and achievements

17th in the FIVB world rankings. A historic ranking for the French national team, achieved in 2023 and confirmed since. France participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, playing in front of its home crowd. A major milestone for French women's volleyball.

Captain and key players

Héléna Cazaute wears the captain's armband. A setter by trade, she has been the team's technical reference for several seasons.

The French women volleyball players to follow:

Imane Ndiaye - main attacker, outside hitter, one of the team's top scorers
Amandha Sylves - middle blocker, power and presence at the net
Énora Danard-Selosse - setter, architect of the team play
Juliette Gelin - libero, best defender of the 2025 VNL
Héléna Cazaute - outside hitter, one of the best in the world at her position.

The French women's volleyball team relies on a young and ambitious group.

The Women's Ligue A - the French championship

The Women's Ligue A volleyball is the pinnacle of women's volleyball in France. Organized by the Ligue Nationale de Volleyball (LNV), it brings together the country's best professional clubs.

The must-see clubs

RC Cannes. The most successful club in the history of the French women's championship. 21 national titles. An institution of women's volleyball in France, training top-level players for decades.

Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud. French champion 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The Parisian club is growing in strength and establishing itself as a new benchmark in the championship. Two consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025.

Volero Le Cannet. Based on the French Riviera, the club won the title in 2022-2023. A regular player in the top of the table and European competitions.

Volley Mulhouse Alsace. During the 2025-2026 season, the Alsatian team achieved the historic treble: Cup, Super Cup, and Championship.

Neptunes de Nantes. Finalist of the 2024-2025 season. The Nantes club has established itself as a safe bet in the Women's Ligue A volleyball, with clear national ambitions.

Competition format

The Women's Ligue A is played in two phases: a regular season followed by playoffs. The best teams face each other in the semifinals and then in the final for the title of French champion. The qualified clubs also compete in European cups (Champions League, CEV Cup, Challenge Cup).

How to get started in women's volleyball

Women's volleyball is accessible from a very young age. No prior experience is needed. A club, a pair of shoes, and you're off.

Finding an FFVolley club

The FFVolley (French Volleyball Federation) lists more than 3,000 affiliated clubs across the country. The club search engine on ffvolley.org allows you to find the nearest club in a few seconds. The license includes insurance and access to official competitions.

Positions in volleyball

Each player finds their place according to their physical and technical profile:

Position	Role
Setter	Organizes the play, distributes the ball
Attacker (outside hitter / outside hitter-receiver)	Scores points on attack, blocks, and receives for the R/A.
Middle blocker	Fast attack, net block
Libero	Specialist in defense and reception

Beginners often start as outside hitter-receivers or middle blockers - positions that allow them to learn the fundamentals quickly.

Basic equipment

To get started, the essentials are simple:

Indoor sports shoes with non-marking soles
Knee pads to protect joints during dives
Lightweight and fitted outfit - shorts or leggings, breathable jersey

No need to invest heavily from the first practice. The main thing is to be comfortable in your movements.

The ideal outfit for playing volleyball

On the court, the outfit is not a detail. It determines freedom of movement, confidence, and team cohesion.

Performance above all

A good women's volleyball outfit must meet specific requirements. Lightweight. Technical fabrics wick away sweat and dry quickly. Freedom of movement. Cuts are designed for the specific movements of volleyball: low reception, jump attack, quick rotation. Support. A jersey that doesn't ride up, shorts that don't slip - details that make a difference over the course of a match.

Style and team identity

Women's sports deserve outfits worthy of their ambitions. Performance and style are not mutually exclusive - they complement each other. A well-thought-out outfit strengthens the collective identity. Teams that feel good in their jersey play better. It's as simple as that.

For clubs looking to personalize their outfits - colors, logo, numbers - , team customization solutions exist to meet all budgets and skill levels. Elegant clothing designed to perform, and made to last.

FAQ

What is the net height in women's volleyball?

2.24 m, measured at the center of the court. This is the official FIVB standard for all senior women's competitions, both indoors and in beach volleyball. The women's volleyball net height is 19 cm lower than that of men (2.43 m).

Who are the best French women volleyball players?

The French women's team has several international-level players. Héléna Cazaute (captain), Lucille Gicquel (attacker), Nina Stojiljković (setter), Juliette Gelin (libero) and Halimatou Bah (outside hitter) are among the major figures of the national team in 2025.

How to find a women's volleyball club?

Go to the official FFVolley website (ffvolley.org) and use the club search engine. More than 3,000 affiliated clubs in France, all age categories included. The license includes insurance and access to official competitions.

What outfit to wear for playing women's volleyball?

Opt for a lightweight, breathable, and fitted outfit: technical jersey, sports shorts or leggings, indoor shoes with non-marking soles. For competitions, clubs often opt for personalized outfits - jersey and shorts matching the club's colors. The goal: to feel free in your movements while displaying a strong collective identity.

Women's volleyball: rules, French national team, Ligue A