As you jump, hit and run, volleyball provides you with a superb source of exercise. Harvard Health Publications report should weigh 125 to 185 pounds; you will burn 180 to 266 calories at 60 minutes of non-competitive volleyball and 240 to 356 calories when playing competitive volleyball. What you wear to attain that workout depends upon the sort of volleyball you play.

Indoor Volleyball

In competitive play, regular indoor volleyball and sitting volleyball players wear jerseys that display each player's last name and number in consecutive order from 1 to 20 on the back of each shirt. Ladieswear cozy T-shirt jerseys with bike shorts that are tight brief. Men often wear sleeveless jersey shirts with athletic, basketball-style shorts that hit just above the knee. The players wear knee pads and lightweight athletic shoes with rubber or composite bottoms.

Beach Volleyball

Competitive beach volleyball players wear the uniform that matches the surroundings -- bathing suits. Ladieswear two-piece or one-piece swimsuits. Men wear shorts and tank tops that fit in style and color, though they don't have to be a real uniform for play at USA Volleyball. Usually, players go barefoot, but Betufa, the referee, may allow socks once the sand is burning hot. To keep the sun from blinding their eyesight, players may wear sunglasses and hats.

Recreational Play

You do not have to wear an official uniform to play volleyball indoors or outside. You need comfortable clothing which won't interfere with your moves. Normally, recreational clubs wear T-shirts and basketball shorts, but you can also wear sweats or swish pants, provided that the pants aren't long enough to make your trip. You may tape player numbers on the back of these T-shirts. Athletic shoes that offer good arch support and shock-absorbency are significant.

Safety Considerations

In any volleyball, dressing for security is crucial. You shouldn't wear jewelry, especially earrings, since the ball can smash against the rings, injuring the palms. If you have to wear a ring, put on a flat band. Girls should wear supportive sports bras and secure long hair in a ponytail or alternative fashion that keeps the hair away from the face. If necessary, you can wear elbow braces and wear knee braces beneath the knee pads. Volleyball is a contact sport, so be careful wearing glasses should you not have prescription goggles.

Why does one volleyball player wear a different color jersey?

Viewers of Team USA's match may have noticed two players on the team's 12-player roster who sport different jerseys than the rest of the team. Who are they? 

They're called the libero. A libero is a defensive specialist, introduced by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), which is the organization that governs Olympic volleyball after the 1996 Games. Because of the position's defensive nature, a few things that a libero can't do, like serve, block or play an attacking shot. 

According to the FIVB's rules, "If the libero makes an overhead set of the ball in front of the 3-meter attack line, the ball may not be spiked over by the team. If the libero makes the same actor behind the front zone, the ball may be freely attacked." 

The libero must also wear a different color jersey, presumably to make it easier for referees to enforce those rules.

The liberos aren't subject to the same substitution rules either. They switch through a process called "replacement." According to NBC, at least one point must be played between a libero coming off the court and coming back on to replace another player.

Before 2021, the libero wasn't allowed to be team captain. But in February, the FIVB Refereeing and Rules of the Game Commission changed that rule to allow the libero to act as team or game captain.

There are two liberos on each of the U.S. men's and women's volleyball teams. Erik Shoji represents the U.S. for his second Olympics for the men's team, and Dustin Watten is the team's alternate. Justine Wong Orantes is in her first Olympics on the women's side, while Megan Courtney is an alternate.