Volleyball Hairstyles That Stay Put All Game
A great volleyball hairstyle does three things: it stays secure for two full hours of play, keeps hair completely out of your eyes, and doesn't give you a headache by the third set. These are the eight styles that pass all three tests — braids, ponytails and buns from a cosmetologist who's done them on hundreds of players — each built on techniques RaDona teaches on video.
What makes a volleyball hairstyle actually work
Every volleyball mom asks the same question: "What hairstyle will actually stay?" After 25 years of doing hair — including dozens of volleyball players in her Utah salon — RaDona narrowed the answer to eight styles, each tested for the three things that matter in a game: security, comfort, and vision. The pretty Pinterest styles that fall apart in ten minutes aren't on the list.
Three principles separate styles that hold from styles that fail
1. The hair has to be attached to the scalp, not just gathered. A high ponytail held only by an elastic is gone after the first dive. A Dutch braid built against the scalp has nowhere to fall. 2. The whole head has to be secured, not just the back. One loose strand around the face becomes a vision problem in seconds. 3. No pressure points. A bun tied too tight at the crown gives a headache by the second set — the style needs hold without strangling.
For tournament days, do the hair the night before and sleep on it (silk pillowcase if possible). The style settles overnight and holds better the next day than freshly-done hair. In the morning, just refresh flyaways with a touch of hairspray.
The one technique to learn: the Dutch braid
If you only learn one technique from this guide, make it the Dutch braid — it's the foundation for the double Dutch braids, the braided ponytail, and the French braid pigtails, which means it powers half the list. It's identical to a French braid except you cross the side sections under the middle instead of over. That tiny difference is what makes the braid sit on top of the hair and stay secure through a whole volleyball match.
The 4 techniques that power every volleyball style
Master these four and you can do all eight game-day styles below. Each card links to a real RaDona tutorial from her YouTube channel — click any thumbnail to watch.
The Dutch Braid
The most secure technique for volleyball. Because the braid is anchored to the scalp every inch, there's nowhere for it to fall — even during a dive. This one technique powers the Double Dutch Braids (Style 1), the Braided Ponytail (Style 2), and the French Braid Pigtails (Style 4).
The French Braid
The French braid is the foundation every other braid builds on. For volleyball it powers the High Braided Ponytail (Style 2), the Crown Braid (Style 7), and the Half-Up French Braid (Style 6). Learn this first — once the over-crossing motion clicks, every other braid is a variation.
French Braid Pigtails
The style RaDona does most often on tween and pre-teen players (ages 8–14). Two French braids from a center part balance the weight of the hair across both sides of the head — which means no single pressure point and no headache by the end of the match. This is Style 4.
The High Bun
A high bun wrapped and pinned with at least six bobby pins gives complete head-movement freedom — the same reason ballerinas wear it. Padded with a sock or hair donut for thick hair, it's tight enough to hold and comfortable enough to avoid headaches. This is Style 3.
The 8 volleyball styles that actually stay put
Ranked roughly from highest security (won't move for two hours) to most stylish (still secure, but with more personality). Every style works for long hair; short, medium, curly and thin adaptations are noted below the table.
| # | Style | Best for | Time | Hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double Dutch Braids to Ponytail | Maximum security | 8–10 min | All day |
| 2 | High Braided Ponytail | Best all-around | 6–8 min | All day |
| 3 | High Bun (Sock Bun Method) | Thick or heavy hair | 5 min | All day |
| 4 | French Braid Pigtails | Younger players (8–14) | 10–12 min | All day |
| 5 | Fishtail Ponytail | Most stylish | 8–10 min | All day |
| 6 | Half-Up French Braid | Shorter hair | 5–6 min | Solid |
| 7 | Crown Braid (Halo) | Very long hair | 12–15 min | All day |
| 8 | Pull-Through "Faux Braid" Ponytail | When you can't braid | 6–7 min | All day |
Short hair (bob or shorter): the Half-Up French Braid (6) is built for it; for pixie length, a headband plus pomade at the front. Medium hair: the High Braided Ponytail (2), Fishtail (5) and Pull-Through (8) all work great. Very long hair: the Crown Braid (7) gets all the length off the neck; the Double Dutch Braids (1) handle maximum weight. Curly or natural: apply gel or curl cream before braiding and keep braids slightly looser — the Crown Braid is especially flattering.
The products & game-day kit that survive a match
Sweat is the enemy of every volleyball hairstyle. A style that looks perfect at home falls apart by the third set if the products can't handle moisture. Here's what works, and the kit to keep in the sports bag.
| Use | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Strong-hold hairspray at the scalp before braiding | Locks each section against the head as you work — far better than spraying only at the end |
| No-slip elastic bands (grippy interior) | Three of these outlast twenty smooth plastic ones, which slip out within 20 minutes of sweat |
| U-shaped bobby pins (6–8 per bun) | Hold buns far better than small flat pins; insert points-first, open end in |
| Gel or styling cream at the hairline | Locks down baby hairs and flyaways for the whole match |
| Non-slip headband or sweatband | Layered over the hairline on the most secure styles for extra insurance |
3 no-slip elastics · 15 color-matched bobby pins · a pocket comb · a travel-size strong-hold hairspray · a non-slip headband · a gel or styling-cream sample · a small soft brush. This fixes 95% of between-set problems in under 60 seconds.
Volleyball hairstyles — the questions asked most
The most secure volleyball hairstyle is the double Dutch braids into a ponytail, followed by the high braided ponytail. Both anchor the hair to the scalp so nothing can fall out during a dive or jump. For younger players, French braid pigtails balance the weight across both sides of the head and prevent headaches. Pick the style that matches the player's hair length and the time available before warm-ups.
Hairspray at the scalp before you start the style — not just at the end. Misting the hairline, temples and crown before braiding or pulling back means each section is already locked into place as you work. Spraying only at the end coats the outside but doesn't address what's underneath, which is where styles come loose.
The Half-Up French Braid (Style 6) is built specifically for hair that's too short to ponytail — it secures the front while leaving the back loose. For very short or pixie-length hair, a non-slip headband plus a little pomade at the hairline locks everything down. Two tight Dutch braids also work well on short hair because they're anchored to the scalp the whole way.
Three things. First, don't make the ponytail too tight at the base — aim for secure but comfortable. Second, switch to a Dutch braid, which distributes tension across the whole scalp instead of one point. Third, use no-slip elastics that hold without needing to be wrapped painfully tight. French braid pigtails are the most headache-proof option because the weight is balanced across both sides.
Direction of the cross. In a French braid the side sections cross over the middle; in a Dutch braid they cross under. The Dutch braid sits raised on top of the hair, which makes it more visible and more secure — so for volleyball, Dutch wins. The French braid lies flat and blends in, which is prettier for everyday but slightly less locked-down for sport.
For tournament days, the night before. The style settles overnight and holds better than freshly-done hair. Use a silk pillowcase or a satin sleep cap if you can. In the morning, smooth flyaways with a brush and add a light mist of hairspray — no need to redo the whole style.
The volleyball hair kit
The no-slip elastics, U-shaped bobby pins, strong-hold hairspray and styling creams RaDona keeps stocked for volleyball players — the products that actually hold through a sweaty, two-hour match. All tested in her Utah salon.