EDITED BY DAVID ADLER

METRIC
HANDBOOK
PLANNING
AND
DESIGN
DATA
SECOND EDITION Architectural
Press
25 Indoor sports
Peter Ackroyd
CI/SfB: 562
UDC: 725.85
Uniclass: F562

KEY POINT: 3.02 Sizes

Because of the British climate, more and more indoor
facilities for sport are needed
Only the largest of halls will satisfy all required standards of play
for all indoor sports, and therefore it will be necessary to decide on
upon the range of sports and levels before determining the floor
Contents area. Table I shows what can be accommodated in the various
1 Introduction standard sizes of hall.
2 Sports centres
3 Sports halls
4 Ancillary halls delivery /access
5 Projectile halls
6 Special spaces store

7 Bibliography
other
access to outside areas activity
SPORTS HALLS
spaces
1 INTRODUCTION
ambulance
Indoor sporting activity can be competitive, recreational or for first
training purposes. Most facilities are designed to cater for all three, vehicle aid
and are either general-purpose spaces such as sports halls or access cleaner
special to one activity or range of activities, such as a squash court changing
showers admin
or ice rink. The different sports and activities will be found in plant lavs
alphabetical order in paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6: whichever is POOLS
appropriate. However, swimming is covered in Chapter 22 and spectators
view entrance
equestrian sports in Chapter 26. & control
In this chapter the information given about each activity will
generally be confined to the required overall sizes at the various store refreshment
recognised levels: lavs
deliveries/
refuse
N international and national competition
C county and club competition and 25.1 Space and circulation diagram of a large wet and dry
R recreational. sports centre

For further information such as detailed dimensions, equipment,

environmental installations, etc. refer to the Handbook of sports
and recreational building design.

2 SPORTS CENTRES
Some sports centres are large complexes encompassing wet and
dry sports. 25.1 shows the possible elements of such a complex, sports hall bowls hall
some of which are omitted in smaller centres. 25.2 is a plan of a
large centre. The essential elements of a small dry sports centre are
shown in 25.3, and a plan of a centre in 25.4.
equipment st

3 SPORTS HALLS learner pool entrance

3.01 Use of facilities

Sports halls are general-purpose spaces intended to cater for a
great variety of activities. Some of these can take place
simultaneously, but others need exclusive use for a time. In main pool
general, all the activities in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 and even some
of those in paragraph 6 can take place in a suitable sports hall.
However, the demand for time in sports halls is so great that those
activities that can be carried on in less expensive accommodation
tend to be confined to projectile halls and ancillary halls. In this
section information about the activities will be found under the 25.2 Dunstable leisure centre: a leisure pool and dry facilities
most appropriate space. on a school site
25-1
Table I Definition of sizes: maximum number of courts related to standards of play

Large hall f r Medium halls

fr
Small halls Community halls

36.5 32 32 26 29 26 32 23 32 17 2 9 . 5 16.5 2 6 16.5 2 2 . 5 16.5 17.020.0 17.08.5

9.1 m 7.69.1 m 7.69.1 m 7.69.1 m 6.77.6 m 6.77.6 m 6.77.6 m 6.77.6 m 15.6 6.7 m 6.7 m
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1168 m 832 m
2
754 m 736 m 544 m 486.75 m 429 m 371.25 m 265.2321 m 144.5 m

No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard No. Standard

Aikido 4 N 4 N 4 N 2 C 2 N 2 N 2 N 1 N 1 N
6 C +3(*) R 3(1*) R 2 R
s
Archery (length 30 m
s s s
of shoot) 25 m 25 m 25 m 25 m
18 m 18 m 18 m 18 m 18 m 18 m 18 m 18 m
20 yd 20 yd 20 yd 20 yd 20 yd 20 yd 15 yd 15 yd

Badminton 8 N 5 N 3/4 NC 4 N 1
4 C** 3 C** 3 C** 3 R 2 R1 1 R1
6(2*) R 4 R* 6 R 4 R*

Basketball 2 N 1 N 1 N 1 N 1 C** 1 C** 1 C** 1 R*

2 C*/R 2 R* 1 Mini BB 1 Mini BB

Bowls (portable 7 R 5 R 5 R* 4 R 3 R 3 R*
non-competitive rinks)

Boxing (training rings) 9 N 6 N 4 N 6 N 3 C 3 C 2 C 2 C 2 C 2 R

12 R 12 R 9 R 8 R 6 R 5 R 5 R 4 R 4 R

Cricket six-a-side 1 N 1 C 1 C 1 R
pitches ns 2 C

Cricket nets 8 N 6 N 6 C 5 N 4 C 4 C 4 R

Fencing (pistes) 12 N 8(3*) N 7 N 6 N 3/4 N/C 3/4* N/C 3/4* N/C 3 N 3 C 2 R

14 C 9 C 8 C 8 C 2/3 R* +2 R* +1 R 4 C*

Five-a-side football 1 N 1 C 1 R* 1 C 1 R* 1 R* 1 R* 1 R* 1 R*
2 R* 2 R*

Gymnastics (Olympic) N C P C P P P P P

Handball 1 N* 1 C 1 R* 1 C 1 R 1 R*
Mini handball 1 C 1 C 1 C 1 R* 1 R*

Hockey 1 C* 1 R 1 R 1 R 1 R 1 R 1 R 1 R

Judo 4 N 2 N 1 N 2 N 2 N 1 N 1 N 1 N 1/2 R
6 R 4 C 4 C 4 R 3 R 2 C 2 R 2 R
Karate 4 N 2/4 N/C 2 N* 2 N 2 N 2 N*/C 1/2 N/C 1 N 1 N 2 R*
12 R 6 R 4/6 C/R 6 R 6 R* 3 R 3 R 2 R 2 R

Keep fit; Movement

and dance; Yoga. ns

Kendo 4 N 2 N 2 N* 2 N 2 N 2 N* 1 N 1 N 1 R
6 R* 4 C 4 C 4 R 2 C 2 C 2 R*

Lacrosse F 1 N 1 C* 1 R 1 C* 1 C* 1 R P P

Lawn tennis 1 N* 1 R* 1 R* 1 R*
2 R

Micro korfball 1 C 1 C 1 C 1 C 1 R*

Netball 1 N 1 R 1 R 1 R
2 C*/R
Table tennisc/c 10 N 6 N 6 N 6 N 7/9 C/C 7 C/C 6/7 C/C 4 C/C 36 C/C 4 R*
15/21 C/C 10/15 C/C 10/12 C/C 10/12 C/C 14 R 12 R 10 R 8 R 68 R

Trampolining 12 N 8 N 8 N 4 N 4 C** 4 C** 4 C** 4 R 2 R 1 R

12 R 8 C*/R 6 R
Tug of war N C R C
C R
Volleyball 2 N 1 N 1 N 2* N/C 1 C** 1 C** 1 C** 1 C** 1 R*
2 C
3 R 3 R* 2 R 2 R

Weight lifting contests N N N N C C C C C

Wrestling 4 N 2 N 6 C 2 N 2 N* 3 C 2 C 2 C 2 C 2 R
12 C 6 C 6 C 3 C 8 R* 6 R 6 R 4 R

Key
N National/international standard
C County/club standard
R Recreational standard
P Practice area only
c/c For table tennis there are two grades of minimum space allowances for inter-county/inter-club standards of play
3
fr Fire regulations and maximum compartment volumes should be checked. Halls of 7000m or over need a DOE waiver. Volume can include an unenclosed structural roof spaces ns No standards have yet been laid down
S Area behind shooting line is below safety standard recommended. Acceptable space can be provided with a slight lengthening of the hall; or existing spaces may be used for practice purposes
*Below minimum space standard recommended by the governing body concerned, but capable of providing purposeful and enjoyable activity.
**Recreational standard where the hall is less than 7.6 m clear height for badminton and trampolining, or less than 7.0 m for basketball and volleyball 6.7 m height is suitable for mini basketball and mini volleyball
County/club standard where the hall is less than 9.0 m clear height
25-4 Indoor sports

16 16

admin lavs

delivery access/
entrance refuse
& control

18.25
changing refreshment
showers
lavs
judo

possible viewing badminton

cleaner

36.5
sports delivery/
SPORTS
hall access
HALL
store

staff

18.25
changing

volleyball
tennis(R)
first aid ambulance basketball
& 4 badminton

essential links 32
secondary links

25.5 Alternative arrangements for large sports halls

25.3 Main elements of a dry sports centre

(SPORTS HALL)

18.25
Gal. Gal.

badminton
& court ball games as below

36.5
Bar Lounge
a
18.25

SPORTS HALL
volleyball
tennis(R)
basketball
& badminton as above
Equip. St.
32

court markings
line of extended curtains
retracted curtains
b clear space zone division without curtains

25.4 Harpenden, a small compactly designed centre. The social 25.6 Alternative arrangements for large sports halls
areas have been positioned to take advantage of the parkland
site. a First floor. b Ground floor

The same floor area may provide for international standard in 3.03 Height
one or two sports and at the same time offer a wide variety of other The height of the underside of the roof structure, or the ceiling if
activities at a lower standard. Typical arrangements are shown in there is one, above the floor is specified by each sports governing
25.5 to 25.18. body, and this is a critical design factor. Badminton, tennis and
 Indoor sports 25-5

4 badminton (3 x) cricket
x
basketball archery
x x
volleyball fencing
soccer or
hockey spectators
bowls
cricket 6 . a . side

29
36.5
spectators volleyball

tennis
cricket nets basketball 17 9
26

x
to N & C standard in given location

14 18 25.9 Alternative arrangements for medium-size halls

32

25.7 Alternative arrangements for large sports halls

x badminton
4 badminton
tennis cricket
x
basketball archery
netball fencing x
x spectators
volleyball
soccer
gymnastics
16

hockey
trampolining
archery
keep fit
bowls
judo
cricket 6.a.side
table tennis
32

karate x
table tennis
32
16

fencing
2 badminton karate
17 9
26
17 9
26 x
to N & C standard in given location

25.8 Alternative arrangements for medium-size halls 25.10 Alternative arrangements for medium-size halls
25-6 Indoor sports

17 9
4 badminton
2 badminton table tennis basketball
gymnastics karate volleyball
(small group)
judo bowls
karate archery

15
trampolining cricket 6 . a . side

29.5
29
archery
basketball
volleyball
soccer

14
26
16.5

25.11 Alternative arrangements for medium-size halls

25.14 For small halls

bowls cricket nets

archery or
badminton spectators
table tennis

basketball 29.5
volleyball

archery
10.5 6
26 16.5

25.12 Alternative arrangements for medium-size halls 25.15 For small halls

17 9

2 badminton

karate
(small group)
fencing
2 badminton table tennis

gymnastics
trampolining
keep fit
basketball judo
archery karate
volleyball table tennis
soccer
hockey

26 16.5

25.13 Alternative arrangements for medium-size halls 25.16 For small halls
 Indoor sports 25-7

beam

store store

spectators

25.17 Wycombe sports centre: plan of court markings and equipment fixings in sports hall
store

cricket nets
basketball
netball

25.18 Tamworth sports centre: plan of court markings and equipment fixings
25-8 Indoor sports

trampolining require an unrestricted height of 9.1 m for inter- 152124 12 123.5 to4.54.5m mwith a divider.
national competition, while 7.6 is necessary at C level in all sports
except those for which height is not critical. However, a height

Sizes for various activities in this type of hall are given in 25.33 to
greater than justified by the intended use will increase running
25.40 (scale 1:500). For yoga, each person will lie on the floor on
costs in heating, lighting and maintenance.
a mat or blanket and will ideally need a clear area of 2.5 m
diameter.
3.04 Construction
The construction and fabric of the hall should be such as to
minimise damage, both accidental and from vandalism. Sports
height
halls should only be naturally lit from above; any form of vertical N 9.1
C 7.6
glazing will produce some glare. R 67-7.6

18.3 min 27.4 max

3.05 Activities
goal outside
The sizes required for various activities in the sports hall are
shown in 25.19 to 25.32, (scale 1:500).

4 ANCILLARY HALLS
To economise in the use of the large sports halls, larger centres

30.5 min 36.5 max

have practice halls suitable for some smaller-scale activities. The rebound walls all around
two suggested sizes are: to 2.0m high (1.22m)

1.5-
13.4 2 . 3 0.8

1.2-2.1

6.1
goal inside

0.9-2.0 between
undivided courts
1.2-2.2
25.21 Five-a-side football. This needs rebound walls all round
to about a height of 2 m, but can be adapted to the available
height space. In a medium-size sports hall 25.10, the playing area is
N 9.1
the size of the hall. At a recreational level the game may be
C 7.6
R 6.7-7.6 played in a small size hall, about 30 15 m being regarded as
a reasonable minimum. Depending on age and sizes of players,
25.19 Badminton, a doubles court for all standards of play. their numbers on the pitch could be reduced as necessary for
Where courts are placed side by side, tournaments are held with satisfaction. This game can also be played out of doors, but
seating and play on alternate courts. Heights lower than 7.6 m difficulties may be experienced in installing suitably robust
are discouraged by the Badminton Association of England rebound walls
2.05 preferred

for match table

1.05 min-4.0

& benches
1.05 min

141

1.05 min
2.05 preferred
26 2

height
N 7.0
C 7.0
R 6.7

1.05 min
2.05 preferred

25.20 Basketball. At a recreational level this game can be

played in a school gymnasium 21.3 12.2 m 25.22 Mens gymnastics. See 25.54 for special practice spaces
 Indoor sports 25-9

25.26 Korfball. In halls of smaller dimensions, allow for full

25.23 Womens gymnastics. See 25.54 safety margins, keep pitch width about 1820 m, and maximum
possible length up to 40 m

height
N 9.0
C 7.6-9.0
R 7.6

height
25.24 Handball, seven-a-side
N 7.6
C 7.6-6.7
R 6.7

25.27 Netball

height
7.6

25.25 Hockey. Team sizes are adjusted according

to the size of the available pitch. Side boards
should be provided 100 100 mm with a 20 mm
inward tilt
25-10 Indoor sports

18.0 approx

30.0 approx

rebound walls all round

(not essential)

25.28 Pop Lacrosse. This has superseded indoor womens

lacrosse. It can also be played out of doors, when there is no
boundary. The size approximates to four badminton courts, and
could be played on a five-a-side football pitch. For further
details, refer to the English Lacrosse Union, Ashton-under-Lyne,
Lancs, or the All England Womens Lacrosse Association,
Birmingham
25.30 Trampoline. The bed is 0.95 to 1.05 m above the ground.
Synchronised competitions must be parallel to each other and
2 m apart. Note extended length of end frame units from that
previously published

25.31 Tug-of-war

height
N 9.1
C 7.0
R 7.0
(6.7 min)

25.32 Volleyball

height
N 10.67
C 9.0
R 8.0

25.29 Tennis 25.33 Aikido

 Indoor sports 25-11

25.34 Boxing. A ring for recreational purposes may be only

3.6 m square. For competitions, in addition to the ring and 25.38 Kendo
spectator accommodation the following are needed:

Weighing
Medical examination room
Gloving-uproom
Administrative
room
Lighting above facilities
Water supply to theeachringcorner

wall or tournament
court

25.39 Table tennis. See Table III for overall dimensions. The
table is 0.76 m high, and normally requires a space 1.4 1.6
0.5 m for storage. When in use, each table requires individual
25.35 Fencing pistes
lighting

height
N 7.6
C 4.5
R 3.5
25.36 Judo
25.40 Wrestling

30.3
3.6

section a
4.8-5.3

firing line

4.25 target zone 1.05

plan b
25.37 Karate. Regional competitions require three international
size combat areas 25.41 Small projectile hall: a Section. b Plan

5 PROJECTILE HALLS Where the projectile room is to be used for firearms shooting,
25.41 to 25.43 show plans and sections of a range of projectile the construction must be to safety standards and robust enough to
rooms, and Table II shows which sports can be covered by them. withstand the use. It may be found that this use will severely
The spaces required are given in 25.44 to 25.48 (scale 1:500). restrict the projectile halls use for other activities.
25-12 Indoor sports

Table II Projectile halls

Large Medium Small

30.3 12.8 4.6 30.3 9.75 3 . 6 - 4 . 6 30.3 5.3 3 . 6

Air rifle 12 firing points 8 firing points 4 firing points

Archery 3 details 6 archers 3 targets 3 details of 4 archers range 18 m 2 details of 4 archers
Bowls 2/4.5 27 m roll-up rinks (if no shooting) 1 roll-up rink (if no shooting) 1 rink
Cricket 3 nets 6-a-side cricket 2 nets 1 net
Fencing 1 piste 4 practice pistes 1 piste 1 piste
Golf practice 4 ranges 3 ranges 1 range
Pistol shooting 7 firing points 10 with side screens 5 firing points 3 firing points
Rifle shooting 12 firing points ranges 25 m, 25 yd, 15 yd 9 firing points 4 firing points
Table squash 15 tables 8 tables 4 tables
Table tennis 15 tables 8 tables 4 tables

Table III Dimensions for table tennis playing space (m)

Standard of play L W Ceiling height Clear height below lights

International matches 14.0 7.0 4.20 4.05

Inter-league and inter-county matches 11.014.0 min 5.507.0 min 4.20 4.05
Practice and inter-club matches 10.0 5.0 4.20 4.05
Tournaments (more than one table) 8.0 5.0 4.20 4.05
Recreational play 7.6 4.6 2.7

5 range 2
30.3

3 archers shoot
3.6-4.6

to each target boss

7.5
section
a
waiting target line
line shooting stop net
line
9.14-9.75

2 archers shoot to

5.0
each target boss
firing line

target zone 1.05 25.44 Archery. International and national shoots require ranges
4.25
of 30,25 and 18 m, and of 20 yards (18.288 m). For club and
plan b
recreational shoots 15 yards (13.716 m) will do, but 30 m is
preferred for competition practice. Archers stand no closer
25.42 Medium-Projectile hall: a Section. b Plan
together than 1.25 m when on the shooting line, with two or
three to each target. The minimum ceiling height is 3 m. Where
there is no public access the distance between the side wall and
the first target should be at least 1.2 m. Where spectator
accommodation is required, advice should be sought from the
Grand National Archery Society. Storage is required for straw
bosses and stands, preferably at the target end; and lockable
30.3
storage for portable bow racks and tackle boxes
4.6

section
a
firing line
12.8

32 min 37.49 desirable

4.55

4.25 target zone 1.05

roll down carpet (storage required 4.55 0.75 0.75)
plan b

25.43 Large projectile hall: a Section. b Plan 25.45 Bowling. A single rink in a projectile hall. See also 25.52
 Indoor sports 25-13

Table IV Dimensions for indoor athletics tracks (m)

Lap length Length of Length of Radius of Overall length (L 1 ) Overall width (W) Space for sprint
straight (s) bend (B)* bend (R) straight (L 2 )
6-track 4-track 6-track 4-track

200 35 65 20.49 88 84 53 49 75.98

50 50 15.716 93.44 89.44 43.44 39.44 81.44
52.25 47.75 15.0 94.25 90.25 42 38 82.25
65 35 10.94 98.88 94.88 33.88 29.88 86.88

160 35 45 14.124 75.25 71.25 40.25 36.25 63.25

40 40 12.532 77.06 73.06 37.06 33.06 65.06
45 35 10.941 78.88 74.88 33.88 29.88 66.88

*Measured 200 mm from inside of outer white line around flat-edged track, or 300 mm inside a raised border or edge framework.
Nett radius allowing for 200 mm deduction. The smaller the radius, the greater the inclination of the banking, 1018 max.
A European Athletic Association regulation minimum dimension.
3 . 05min 3 65pref.

1.4 6.7 0.6

33 . 5
.

0 .9 2.45 2.45
mat putting
carpet
bowlers mat batmans mat
driving height
3.0
range
11 . 0

8.7

height
25.47 Golf practice
3.65 9 . 15 20 . 117

25.46 Cricket practice nets. For the six-a-side game (not

illustrated) the playing area is 30.436.5 18.930.4
6.17.6 m high

forward firing point 11 2.750

11 min

section target lights floor or ceiling mounted

a

flank lines of fire

7 target centres
0.6
7

2.125 2.125 25.48 Shooting range, small-bore target. For rifle shooting,
min 25 3.050*
30 . 3 ranges at 25 m, 25 yd and 15 yd are required at minimum 1.05 m
plan * dependent on the design of bullet catcher centres. Pistols (where permitted) use 25 m and 25 yd at 1.8 m
b centres, or 1.15 m with side screens: a Section. b Plan

80 . 0
(6 tracks at
1 . 0 each)
6.0

15 . 0 min 60 . 0 sprint straight 5.0 preferred

run-out collected start
space

25.49 Athletics: requirements for straight sprint

6 SPECIAL SPACES some of these, semi-portable equipment is now being produced,

There are a number of activities that need spaces permanently and but these are generally designed for special occasions such as
exclusively reserved for them. This may be due to the weight or national championships. The critical sizes for these special spaces
size of the equipment, such as billiards/snooker, or because the are given in 25.49 to 25.59 (scale 1:500 except where shown
playing area is closely defined, such as squash or real tennis. For otherwise).
25-14 Indoor sports

straight S

bend length B (may be banked)

W
width
sprint straight L 2

overall
o v e r a l l l e n g t h L1

25.50 Athletics: indoor tracks 200 and 160 metre laps, with straight sprint in centre. See Table IV for dimensions. It is no longer
considered satisfactory to fit a running track inside the cycle track in 25.53. If spectator accommodation is needed around the track,
a building of considerable clear span is necessary as supports in the central area are not acceptable

25.51 Billiards and snooker. The

agreed international size, due to
become mandatory in 2025, of 3.5
1.75 m measured inside the cushions,
has had little acceptance, even in
major competitions

25.52 Bowling. Four rinks are the minimum for recreation,

six are required for tournaments

110.23
6 .5

54 . 34
41 . 34
6 .5

5.0 100 . 23 5.0

[24.48] can be used internally
 Indoor sports 25-15

6.5m clear height over 10.5m width 18.288

9.144
2 .0
scrap plastic foamfill
3 layers of 100mm plastic foam slabs
section with a layer of 150mm foam spacers on
a
a timber grid creating 250mm ventilation
space beneath foam.
a

15 . 0

9.144
special parallel bars
mini trampoline & double mini trampoline

beam

b
beam
low side 25.56 Rackets, or racquets: a Section. b Plan
horse
low
bar 33 . 604
vault run-up

asymmetric
32 . 0

bar

12.192
rings side
horse

horizontal
bar
plan

25.57 Real (or royal) tennis. The dimensions are those at

Hampton Court which is reputed to be the widest and among
b
the longest
25.54 Gymnastics practice: training hall at Lilleshall Hall NSC:
a Cross-section. b Plan
3.66

56.0-61.0

4.57
4.0 6.0
1.83

a
7-8.5 rad
26.0-31.0

5.49

8.53

25.58 Rugby fives: a Section. b Plan

25.55 Ice hockey. Rinks are usually sized to accommodate the

pad; this should be surrounded by a 1.2 m high barrier
9.754
5 .64

7 BIBLIOGRAPHY a
Geraint John and Helen Heard (eds) Handbook of sports and
recreational building design, Vol. 2, Indoor Sports, 2nd edn,
6 .4

Architectural Press 1995

The Oxford Companion to Sports and Games, Oxford University
Press, 1976, also as a Paladin paperback b
Rules of the Game, Paddington Press, 1974, also as republished by
Literary Guild and Bantam Books 25.59 Squash. All dimensions are highly critical and are to
Information published by the ruling bodies for each particular internal finished surfaces, which are plastered to a special
sport. specification: a Section. b Plan
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