Which volleyball system to choose based on the subfloor type

The two main categories: monotubolar vs trasportable 

Professional volleyball system are essentially divided into two structural types:

• Monotubolar system (single pole): installed into dedicated sleeves (floor sockets) embedded in the floor. This is the solution required by federation for high-level official competitions.
• Trasportable system: features a base (often V-shaped) fixed directly to reinforced concrete slab using anchor bolts.

Advice based on the type of flooring and state of the construction site

The timing of the intervention - whether the gym is under construction or already completed - and the type of surface determines the technical feasibility of the project.

Wooden flooring 

• During construction: this is the ideal situation to prepare suitable foundations and install floor sockets before pouring the subfloor. The monotubolar system remains the best solution.
• Existing gym: installing a monotubolar system on an already laid parquet floor is not recommended. It would require water drilling, with a high risk of damaging the wood. In these cases, if the underlying slab is at least 15-20 cm thick, trasportable systems with anchor bolts are preferred.

PVC or synthetic flooring

PVC offers greater versatility compared to wood. In existing gyms, it is possible to install either monotubolar system or V-base systems, depending on the strenght of the subfloor and the required level of competition. 

The critical constraint: underfloor heating

The presence of a radiant floor heating system is the most critical factor during site inspection. If present, it is not possible to drill new holes in the surface to avoid damaging the pipes. 

In this situation, the available options are limited:

1. Use of existing sockets: existing floor sleeves must be used.
2. Last resort: ballast systems: if no sockets are available and drilling is not possible, this is the only alternative. These systems use weighted bases to ensure stability. However, they are less pratical to move and do not allow perfect net tensioning due to real encumbrance.

Intended use and logistics

The final choice must balance performance level and day-to-day management:

• Competitive level: federations require monotubolar systems for medium to high-level competitions.
• Training and secondary courts: trasportable with wheels are ususally preferred. They are easier to install, remove and move, even by a single operator.
• School gyms: in smaller spaces, wall-mounted systems can be considered, although they are not the optical solution in terms of performance.

A key logistical factor is weight: a monotubolar weighs around 25kg and requires dedicated trolleys, while base systems are designed for easy movement thanks to integrated wheels.

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