19 Best Volleyball Hairstyles for Long Hair (Easy & Cute Styles)
Nobody warns you that hair decides games. Courtside, I watched my daughter 16 year old, with thick hair, chase a ball at the net while her blonde hair kept falling apart. Two sets in, that distraction cost focus, performance, and confidence. Her energy drained too. Ponytail, not agility, lost the competition. Ask volleyball players: long hair on court is sport-specific equipment.
So we abandoned cute volleyball hairstyles for long hair and started testing functional hairstyles through practices. Standard: nothing disturbs free movement, nothing getting in the way across dives, spikes, serves, sprints. Braids stay put, kept in place for ninety minutes, hair clear of neck and face, clear vision while smashing. Function first, style second — zero restrictions, nothing falling out of place. Practice proves it.
This list holds 19 styles: dozens tested, top five survived matches. Easy and simple volleyball hairstyles — hair ties, ribbons, school colors, matching hair ties turn game day gear into team spirit. The best volleyball hairstyle ends that fight. By fall, mid-school season, one combination of great hairstyles, top hairstyles included, made the difference: her volleyball game felt fun.
19 Volleyball Hairstyles for Long Hair
1. Classic Ponytail for Volleyball
Most players assume the classic ponytail is the easiest way out, yet I’ve watched it outlast braids across three seasons. Tying hair back quickly, without fancy accessories, keeps texture off your face during a volleyball game — no distracting strands when you create a dig.
A high ponytail rides better under a face cap; a low ponytail spares your neck during long games. Both suit most hair types, including short hair. Add a colorful hair tie for flair, or keep it sleek and neat — a timeless favorite that stays functional when waves and curls rebel.
2. Classic Ponytail with Ribbon
Most players tie a ribbon after the high ponytail is already set — I do the reverse. Wrap the base first, then pull hair through the loop. Gold grosgrain grips far better than slick satin does. Purple dominates our school color rotation, so a purple ribbon became shorthand for team pride. Nobody looks like a winner mid-fifth-set, yet a polished, spirited look somehow survives dives — ribbons are that quick cheat.
3. Classic Ponytail with Snap Clips
After discovering that regular ponytails always loosen up mid-set, I began clipping the back of neck strays down. Snap clips stick where elastic fails, killing stray flyaways for an entire match. Purple clips read cute without fuss, and honestly, the difference is the comfortable weight: nothing tugs, nothing drops across my face. Smooth, easy, quick to play in — my go-to volleyball hairstyle.
4. Bubble Ponytail for Game Day
Most players assume bubble ponytails are fragile, yet during high-energy matches they outlast a classic ponytail. Start with a high ponytail, then add multiple hair ties down the length, evenly placed every 2-3 inches. That spacing decides everything — too tight, and the bubble effect flattens across the ponytail.
For casual practices, I drop to a mid-level ponytail, then gently fluff up each section so the segments look great without straining hair. Double the last tie for extra secure ends. This trendy twist — bubbles stacked into one playful style — is a must-try; create a bubble ponytail once, and the fun is obvious.
5. Bubble Braids
Most players assume bubble braids demand salon skill — they don’t. I space colorful rubber bands down a single section, then gently spread each segment until the bubbles puff out. Pull too tight and discomfort ruins your game; leave it relaxed, and it still stays secure.
The bubble braids ponytail style became my go-to for tournaments because it’s a simple hairstyle that reads as an exciting style on camera. Bands match jersey colors easily, hold back every stray hair, and honestly, it’s fun — you wear a sporty look while rocking something playful.
6. Double French Braids for Long Hair
Contrary to the list every volleyball blog pushes, two French braids never counted as a complicated hairstyle — I learned that at age twelve, redoing a sloppy plait between sets. The best part: symmetry keeps weight balanced, so nothing tugs your face mid-game.
Any MVP will tell you the real reason this classic style endures: eight minutes, damp hair, and you achieve a professional, cute finish. One French braid feels lopsided; doubling it is easy, delivers a stylish look, and lets you stay focused while you play — style intact. For everyday, non-sporty variations on this same braiding technique, check out our easy hairstyles for long hair guide.
7. Fishtail Braid for Volleyball
Most assume an intricate option demands fancy tools — it doesn’t. I’ve watched a player finish a fishtail braid in four minutes on the bench, then play a full match with no setbacks. Splitting hair into two sections instead of three is genuinely easy.
The real payoff arrives afterward. Because it’s a long-lasting hairstyle, you can move freely through a three-set game and still be rocking something sleek for the post-game selfie. Any hair length past the shoulders works; that woven style looks beautiful loose, making it my default choice.
8. Braids: Stylish and Practical
Most long-haired players pick whatever’s fastest; after coaching for years, I say hair length decides everything. Double Dutch braids grip through hours of play better than a classic ponytail, because evenly distributing tension across the scalp prevents that ache above your face — real comfort, not just an effortlessly chic look.
Braid variations matter: side braids sit snugly in place during an intense game, ponytail braids add a fun twist, and double braids give maximum hold. Every volleyball player treats Dutch braids as her best friend — braided strands tucked flat, hair secure with added security from a low tie. Want a playful alternative? Style the ends into soft braids.
9. Messy Buns, Not Messy Play
Coaches assume a messy bun signals carelessness. Wrong. The beauty sits in its intentional looseness — a twist gathered at the nape, one hair tie, done. Busy athletes default to this because sweaty matches leave hair ruined anyway, so a casual shape survives what a slick one cannot.
My preference after years on court: keep it loose enough to skip pressure on the neck, tight enough to stay secure. That balance is proof that an effortless messy vibe can be functional. Stray strands frame the face, the bun stays easy, and the no-fuss look reads stylish — ideal, actually.
10. High Bun for Volleyball Games
Most players I’ve coached find the high bun only after one match where their hair never distracts them — no whipping ponytail, no strands in the eyes. Build it from a high ponytail: gather the length, twist around the base, form the bun, then secure everything with a second hair tie.
One hair tie rarely holds thick hair through jumps and dives, which is why high buns sit firmly in place where a low hairstyle slips. For long hair, it’s the ideal sporty option: lightweight, chic, and honestly a championship level upgrade — take your bun game to the next level and the game follows. For a polished, all-day version of this same bun technique for the office, see our easy hairstyles for work guide.
11. Rip Tie Ponytail (Wrap-Around Style)
Most athletes discover this one backwards: the wrap-around hair tie isn’t about looking neat; it’s about what happens at the final set, when a standard ponytail starts drooping toward the shoulders. Its larger elastic loop anchors the length, then a smaller elastic band at the end keeps everything taut and tangle-free, with no stray hair escaping.
During warm-ups, I tested it against bands that slip off mid-game: the soft fabric slides over long hair without snags, and pulling it out never leaves a knotted mess. Wrap smoothly, keep the tie lightly stretched, and it will hold without sticking at the neck — a quick, comfortable, secure ponytail that resists tangling and feels secure through every rally.
12. Rip Tie Wrapped Braid/Plait Ponytail
On sand courts I learned this the hard way: a loose plait stuck to sweaty shoulders mid-rally. The rip tie version prevents that. Start with a simple three-strand braid from the base of your hair, nothing fancy, just tight and easy.
At the end, attach the rip tie, then wrap it into a large loop so nothing swings mid-serve. Beach volleyball players love this cute volleyball hairstyle — it stays secure, keeps strands off your face, stops sticking at the back, and quits collecting sand in a dragging braid.
13. Slick Back with Two Twists
Most players prepare wrong — they comb everything flat before they divide. I flip that order: hair gets sectioned first, then slicking back happens inside each part. Hold the first part taut with damp hands, twist it once, and the second section follows the same way. That’s the simple slick back foundation nobody explains.
Two ropes, not braids — the two-strand method keeps twisting tight through every turn. Tie both at the end into an easy ponytail style, then pin the loose tip underneath. My game-day win: never unwrap the twists mid-set. A second hair tie locks the two twists style better than any styling spray, every game.
14. Top Knot
Unlike a ponytail that swings, the top knot sits high and quiet. I twist freshly combed hair, coil the strands into a bun, then anchor one elastic at the base. A misting spray locks the finish and keeps the appearance neat through three sets. Where a sleek ponytail reads athletic, this sleek style reads sophisticated — a smooth match for post-game photos. Add a scarf or two loose tendrils to achieve unique flair. The hold stays firm, the look fresh, and the style survives diving saves.
15. Half Up Braids with Bun
Most volleyball players discover this hairstyle backwards: they want the bun first, then realize braids solve the front frizz. Divide a clean parting, form two half-up braids from the crown, wrap them back, and pin. One elastic does the rest — no slick gel needed. Pull each side upwards so hair clears the neck — cool, and it won’t pack down mid-set. One braid tucked into the bun helps it hold. Combine functionality with a stylish finish, and you create a style suitable for any face shape: enjoyable, light on the head, a rare match.
16. Braided Headband
Most ladies assume a braided headband only suits short hair, but I’ve watched volleyball players with waist-length strands rely on it more. You customize the placement an inch back from the hairline, and suddenly nothing is touching your face mid-rally. Anchor the tail into a low bun and the style survives three sets. Coaches keep it recommended for younger players because it’s quick. Serve-receive demands you see clearly, so an easy braid taming loose hair outperforms any fussier, stylish hairstyle on a volleyball court.
17. High Ponytail with Side Braids
Most players build the braid last; I do the opposite. Divide a front part first, parting just above the ear, then pull everything upwards into a high ponytail and hold it with one hair tie. The rest falls, playing freely. My tip from tournament benches: two thin side plaits cover the temples, so the side braids hairstyle doesn’t slip mid-rally. Wear it for an easy, breezy game — it’ll last long, keep hair off your face, and read as fun, charming style.
18. All Back Cornrows
Most sports players assume tight is stronger. Courtside days taught me otherwise: tense rows tug the front hairline raw. All-back cornrows reward patience — divide the hair generously, comb each part flat, then braid back with even, forgiving tension through practice. A light moisturizer before gel keeps tangles from forming under the rows; heavy product just flakes mid-game. That’s why this athlete-friendly hairstyle stays simple and easy — no distractions, no stray line of frizz. One neat hairstyle, several days of play, zero mirror checks between sets.
19. Double Space Buns
Most players assume space buns are purely decorative. After years on court, I disagree — nothing survives diving games better. Start by dividing hair down the centre, hitting the crown exactly, because an uneven part shifts weight and drags one side loose mid-rally. Take the first part, comb it upwards, and build a ponytail you tie tightly before tying anything else.
Sleeking stray strands here matters more than later. Wrap the length into a ball, form the bun, then get it secured flat against your head. Repeat both steps on the second side; the parts should mirror each other neatly. Thicker hairstyle types finish voluminous; fine hair sits simple — either reads gorgeously tied. Honestly, styling these gets easier weekly, and buns this stable move into a regular day-to-day hairstyle.
FAQs for Volleyball Hairstyles for Long Hair
What hairstyle is best for volleyball?
Most players choose a hairstyle by looks first. Backwards. I judge one question: does it survive dives? Volleyball is fast-paced, so loose strands cross your eyes mid-rally, and vision loss costs points long before style ever matters. Spikes and serves expose weak work instantly. Nothing holds like double French braids: flat to the scalp, secure across long matches, and my pick for best hairstyle. A high or low slicked-back ponytail competes when it’s tight enough to lock hair, and keeps weight completely off the neck and shoulders. Short layers are the real problem — they escape everything. Hair wax on baby hairs, hair gel through flyaways, then pin back whatever hair stays flying near your face. Keeping the face clear matters; wear it that way, and you stay cool deep into the fifth set.
What are some good hairstyles for athletes with long hair?
Counterintuitively, unwashed hair delivers better grip than freshly washed strands. I part hair off-center — side or middle — then check the scalp for tension before locking any style. Athletic hairstyles fail when they feel secure standing still but loosen instantly under load. During high-intensity training, I gather everything from the crown down, twisting a braid so the hanging length shortens and nothing whips my face. A snag-free tie at the bottom, sweat-resistant and wrapped tightly, keeps ends and locks of long hair stable through intense movement. The high ponytail rarely survives.
What are some easy hairstyles for volleyball?
After years around volleyball courts, I’ve learned easy never means careless. Two braids outlast intense movement better than anything: they gather every loose strand, lock down the hairline, and leave zero flyaways drifting across your face when you dive. That’s hair you stop noticing. For a high finish, the Rip Tie Ponytail wins — a wrap-around hair tie plus strong elastics keep everything secure through every spike and set, with nothing sticking to a sweaty neck. Honestly, secure hairstyles beat pretty ones; wet hair braided damp holds tighter.
Do you have to put your hair up for volleyball?
No official rule in volleyball forces players to wear their hair up, yet nearly everyone on court does. Fast plays demand clear vision; strands sliding across the eyes create real distractions and quiet safety hazards. Every coach I’ve played under simply asked us to tie our hair back.
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