Volleyball

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Guideline review date: 24 September 2025

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 232KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB).

Activity scope

This guideline demonstrates the minimum safety standard for student participation in volleyball (including beach volleyball, mini volleyball, Newcomb ball) as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that curriculum activities are planned for and managed in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of students, staff and others.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

For activities conducted as part of representative school sport programs, schools should consult with Queensland School Sport.

Risk level

Medium risk
Volleyball activities involving regulation equipment.

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

Teachers, in collaboration with other adult supervisors of the planned activity, determine additional risks, hazards and control measures relevant to the activity and the specific school/group circumstances in order to lift the safety standard above the minimum identified in the CARA guideline.

Consult review comments from previous CARA records to improve safety standards based on the advice from the previous supervisors of the activity at the school.

Prior consultation and collaboration with local expertise (e.g. venue manager) is required for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

Competition rules and procedures with additional or more stringent safety requirements must take precedence (e.g. International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) rules, beach volleyball rules).

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Students

Emergency and first-aid

Induction and instruction

Consent

Supervision

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity that considers the local context.

Appropriate adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (i.e. prevent an incident from occurring and manage an incident if one were to occur, including managing emergency situations). The principal must give active consideration to the minimum standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the risk assessment when determining the appropriate level of supervision.

See number of adult supervisors below.

Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by the facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
must closely supervise set up and take down of equipment
must closely supervise net play
must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise.

The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Number of adult supervisors

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults of the activity, determine the final number of supervisors to fulfil instructional, emergency and supervision roles for the local context that consider, the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some instances, the final supervision ratio may be 1:1.

If the minimum safety standard cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard (e.g. reduce the number of students participating at any one time).

See frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further support.

Supervisor qualifications

Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity. Principals make final decisions* in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and whether the activity leader meets an appropriate teaching standard.

*See FAQs for further support.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure.

Qualified adults for the activity

Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue

An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area.

Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. Emergency qualifications may include:

An adult with concussion management knowledge or training is recommended. Consult concussion management resources.

Medium risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching volleyball
an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current Level 1 coaching accreditation from Volleyball Australia or similar.

See FAQs for further support.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Compliance with the department’s guide to managing electrical equipment in departmental schools and workplaces for safety switches if using extension or power cords.

Confirm sport structures (e.g. net posts) are regularly inspected to assess and maintain structural integrity. See safety alert—risks associated with metal sporting equipment.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity (e.g. enclosed footwear, knee-pads).

Fit-for-purpose padding, on posts and referee stands, made from impact absorbing foam.

Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards	Control measures
Biological hazards Body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, sweat)	Manage open wounds before, during and after the activity. Consult infection control guidelines and Queensland Health’s exclusion periods for infectious conditions poster (PDF, 1.4MB) for first aid and hygienic practices
Environmental conditions Weather, sun, humidity	Assess weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers. Follow the school’s sun safety policy, including appropriate clothing, sun protection (e.g. sunscreen) and shade facilities when outside. Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions
Facilities and equipment hazards	Control measures
Activity location	Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used venues to ascertain suitability
Antennas	Secure the antenna to the top and bottom of the net and ensure it does not extend below the bottom tape of the net. If the antenna dislodges, immediately suspend the activity and reattach
Boundary clearance	Establish a 2 metre safety zone around the playing area. If this cannot be achieved, consider ways of reducing risks (e.g. reducing the field size, padding the obstacle). Consider player safety when positioning referee stands, linespeople and table/chairs for scorers. Locate player benches at least 3 metres from the side line behind the attack zone. Ensure there are no sharp or rough edges (e.g. portable signage) facing the field of play. Avoid using guy wires to support posts. If used, they must be made visible to players and covered with protective pads
Electricity	If power is required, ensure electrical or extension leads do not pose a tripping hazard
Faulty or dangerous equipment	Use markers made from non-injurious material (e.g. cardboard, foam). Check equipment for damage before and during the activity. Check footwear before each match to ensure they provide sufficient protection for the feet. Look for non-slip soles, no buckles or zips and no sharp-edged soles
Hazardous substances Chemicals	Lines are marked in accordance with the line marking of sports fields fact sheet, if playing outside
Playing surface	Conduct a field check to identify and manage surface hazards. Clear the playing surface from loose items or debris. Do not participate on a surface that is slippery, unduly rough or chopped up. Cover/fill playing surface hazards (e.g. sprinkler heads, post holes) to be level with the surrounds. Use designated towels for wiping floor spills (e.g. water, sweat). For beach volleyball: ensure lines are made from flexible material (i.e. cords or webbing) ensure sand depth is at least 30cm and extends beyond the court by at least 2 metres rake sand before use
Posts	For beach volleyball, cover the base of portable posts with sand. Securely fit the pin of adjustable posts when setting up, taking down or adjusting the height. Consult manufacturer’s instructions for support
Stray balls	Implement protocols to manage stray balls (e.g. pause gameplay, wait for break in play for retrieval)
Violation cards	Secure violation cards to the outside of the post nearest the referee using hook and loop fasteners
Winches	If using a ratchet winch net system, ensure care is taken when adjusting/releasing the high tension system. Refer to the hazard alert—volleyball post ratchet hand winch for further information. Remove winch handles from posts before the activity. If non-removable, pad the winch handles
Student considerations	Control measures
Physical contact Breaks/sprains, cuts/abrasions/grazes, concussion, accidental bumping	Enforce rules to prevent rough play. Consult Play by the Rules (conduct and behaviour resources). Manage injuries according to established procedures. If in doubt, do not allow students to return to play after injury until medically cleared
Injury	Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment
Physical exertion Exhaustion and fatigue	Conduct warm-up/cool-down activities. Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion. Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks
Student issues	Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating. Ensure fingernails, hair and clothing (e.g. pockets) do not interfere with the activity. Implement procedures (e.g. buddy system, roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants before, during and after the activity

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This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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CARA guidelines