Volleyball originated in the United States, and is now just achieving the type of popularity in the U.S. that it has received on a global basis, where it ranks only behind soccer among participation sports. Today there are more than 24 million Americans and 800 million people worldwide who play Volleyball at least once a week.

In 1895, William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Mass., decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball. He created the game of Volleyball, at that time called mintonette (ouch!). Morgan borrowed the net from tennis, and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the average man’s head. During a demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be volleying the ball back and forth over the net, and perhaps “volleyball” would be a more descriptive (and less ridiculous) name for the sport.

Whether you are looking for a pickup volleyball game, or are coming to play with your friends, you can pick between beach and lawn volleyball.
Pickup volleyball games on a first come, first serve basis. You must supply your own net and volleyball.

Location : There are two locations to play volleyball. There is one sand court east of Sheep Meadow, mid-Park at 66th Street, and three courts near the Great Lawn, mid-Park at 86th Street, behind the Central Park precinct.

When : Year-round during Park hours of operation.

Permit requirement: A permit is required for a tournament or special events only.