Volleyball Hairstyles for Long Hair: 8 Game-Day Styles That Stay Put
The right volleyball hairstyle does three things: 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. This guide breaks down the eight specific styles that pass all three tests — built around braids, ponytails, and buns from a hairstylist who's done the same techniques on hundreds of clients. Step-by-step video tutorials for the foundation techniques (Dutch braid, French braid pigtails) are embedded below.
Every volleyball mom I've ever cut has asked me the same question: "What hairstyle will actually stay?" The answer matters more than people realize. A ponytail that falls out in the third set isn't just annoying — it's a serve interrupted, a dig missed, a moment where the player's attention is on her hair instead of the ball.
After 25 years of doing hair, including dozens of volleyball players in my Utah salon, I've narrowed the styles that actually work down to a small list. Not 20 ideas, not 30. Eight specific looks, each tested for the three things that matter in a volleyball game: security, comfort, and vision. The pretty Pinterest hairstyles that fall apart in 10 minutes aren't on this list.
This guide walks through all eight, ranked from highest security (won't move for two hours) to most stylish (still secure, but with more personality). Every style includes the exact technique, the products that actually hold during a sweaty match, and the time it takes to do it before warm-ups.
What makes a volleyball hairstyle actually work
Before the eight styles, three principles that separate volleyball hairstyles that work from the ones that don't:
- 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 directly against the scalp can't go anywhere — there's nowhere for it to fall.
- The whole head has to be secured, not just the back. Loose hair around the face — even one strand — becomes a vision problem in seconds. Every flyaway needs a plan.
- No pressure points. A bun tied too tight at the crown gives you a headache by the second set. The style needs hold without strangling.
Every style below is built around those three principles. The differences between them are mostly aesthetic — pick the one that fits the player's personality and hair texture.
For tournament days, do the hair the night before. Sleep on it (silk pillowcase if possible). The style settles overnight and holds better the next day than freshly-done hair. Just refresh flyaways with a touch of hairspray in the morning.
The 8 styles that actually stay put
Ranked roughly from highest security to most stylish. Every style works for long hair (shoulder-length and longer). Adaptations for short and medium hair are noted at the end.
Two Dutch braids running from the hairline to the back of the head, then both gathered into a single low ponytail. The braids are anchored to the scalp every inch, which means nothing can fall out. The most secure style on this list — what I'd put on my own daughter for a tournament.
A French or Dutch braid starting at the crown, transitioning into a high ponytail. The braid handles the top half of the head; the ponytail handles the length. Best of both worlds — secure where it counts, swingy where it doesn't.
High ponytail wrapped around a sock or hair donut, pinned with at least 6 bobby pins. Tight enough to hold, padded enough to avoid headaches. The style ballerinas use for the same reason — total head movement freedom.
Two French braids running straight back from a center part, secured at the nape. The dual anchor keeps weight balanced, and the braids stay completely out of the face. The style I do most often on tween and pre-teen players in my chair.
High ponytail with the length woven into a fishtail braid. Looks intricate, holds tight, and the tight weave means flyaways can't escape. Takes a few minutes longer than a regular braid but photographs beautifully for team pictures.
A French braid across the top of the head from temple to temple, securing the front section while leaving the bottom loose. Works on hair too short for a full ponytail but long enough to get in the eyes. The "bobbed-hair compromise."
A braid that wraps around the crown of the head like a halo, with the tail pinned underneath. Completely off the neck (essential in summer tournaments), completely out of the face, and surprisingly comfortable once you find the right tension.
A series of small ponytails stacked down the head, each one pulled through the elastic of the next, creating a braid-like effect without any actual braiding skill required. Same security as a real braid, no technique to learn.
Master the foundation: Dutch braid (the most important technique)
If you only learn one technique from this guide, make it the Dutch braid. It's the foundation for styles #1, #2, and #4 above — which means it powers half the list. The technique is identical to a French braid except you cross the side sections under the middle section instead of over it. That tiny difference is what makes the braid sit on top of the hair rather than disappearing into it — and what makes it stay secure during a volleyball game.
My full Dutch braid tutorial. This is the technique that powers the double Dutch braid (#1), the braided ponytail (#2), and the French braid pigtails (#4) when adapted slightly.
The pigtail variation for younger players
Style #4 — the French braid pigtails — is what I do most often on younger players. The dual anchor balances the weight of the hair across both sides of the head, which means no single point of tension and no headache by the end of the match. This video walks through the exact technique on a young client.
French braid pigtails on a young client. The same technique works for any age — and for short hair, you can stop the braid at the nape instead of carrying the length down.
I'm filming dedicated walkthrough videos for the high braided ponytail, the sock-bun method, and the pull-through faux braid in the coming weeks. Subscribe to the channel to be notified when they go live.
The products that actually hold during 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 actually works:
- Strong-hold hairspray — sprayed at the scalp before braiding, not after. The spray locks the hair against the head as you braid.
- No-slip elastic bands — the kind with a grippy interior, not smooth plastic. Three of these will outlast 20 regular ones.
- U-shaped bobby pins — the larger, U-shaped style holds buns far better than the small flat ones.
- A strong gel or styling cream — applied at the temples and hairline before doing the braid, to lock down baby hairs and flyaways.
- A sweatband or non-slip headband — for the most secure styles, layered on top of the hairline.
- Smooth plastic elastics — slip out within 20 minutes of sweat
- Single bobby pins for buns — buns need at least 6 pins, ideally 8
- Heavy oils or pomades — combine with sweat to look greasy and slip
- Hairspray on dry hair only — works much less well than sprayed during styling
- Loose buns or low ponytails on serious players — they will fall
- Bobby pins inserted with the open end out — wrong direction; insert with the open end in
The game-day hair kit every volleyball player should carry
Even the most secure style occasionally needs a quick fix between sets. Here's the kit I tell my clients to keep in their sports bag — it weighs almost nothing and fixes 95% of problems in under 60 seconds:
- 3 no-slip elastic bands — backups in case one breaks
- 15 bobby pins — black, brown, blonde to match the hair
- A small comb — pocket-sized, for fixing parts and flyaways
- A travel-size strong-hold hairspray — TSA-friendly so it works for tournaments too
- A non-slip headband or sweatband — for emergencies and for the half-up styles
- Hair gel or styling cream sample — for taming flyaways mid-match
- A small soft brush — for quick smoothing between sets
The 5-minute pre-game routine
For the night-before approach to fail and the in-the-morning rush, here's the exact sequence:
- Brush hair thoroughly to remove all tangles. Knots in a volleyball braid become a real problem during the match.
- Mist the scalp with strong-hold hairspray at the hairline, crown, and temples. Let it dry for 30 seconds before starting the style.
- Apply gel or styling cream at the hairline and temples specifically. This is what locks down flyaways for the duration of the game.
- Do the chosen style using the technique from the video above. Keep tension consistent — too tight gives headaches, too loose lets the style slip.
- Secure with no-slip elastics, then add a final mist of hairspray over the whole head.
- Add a non-slip headband if needed for extra security at the hairline.
Adapting these styles for different hair
For short hair (bob length or shorter)
- The Half-Up French Braid (#6) is the best option — built specifically for hair that's too short to ponytail
- For very short hair (pixie length): a headband plus pomade at the front to lock everything down
- Strong-hold hairspray matters even more on short hair because gravity can't help you
For medium-length hair (shoulder to mid-back)
- The High Braided Ponytail (#2), Fishtail Ponytail (#5), and Pull-Through Faux Braid (#8) all work great
- For the buns and crown braid, consider a hair donut or padded form to add bulk
For very long hair (mid-back and longer)
- The Crown Braid (#7) is ideal — gets all the length completely off the neck
- The Double Dutch Braids to Ponytail (#1) handles maximum weight without slipping
- Consider a French braid down the entire ponytail tail to prevent it from whipping during dives
For curly or natural hair
- Apply a strong gel or curl cream before braiding — this controls the curls and adds hold
- Slightly looser braids work better; very tight braids fight against natural curl pattern
- The Crown Braid (#7) is particularly flattering on natural hair textures
I'm filming dedicated volleyball, softball, and cheer hairstyle tutorials in the salon this season. Subscribe to be notified when each one goes live — 180,000+ subscribers already get the new videos every week.
▶ Subscribe Free on YouTubeFrequently asked questions
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 of hair is already locked into place as you work. Spraying only at the end coats the outside but doesn't address what's underneath.
Two options. First, a Dutch braid (#1 or #2) holds thin hair far better than a ponytail because the hair is anchored to the scalp every inch. Second, use a hair donut or sock-bun form to add bulk — a small high bun on thin hair can look just as full as a thicker player's bun, with the same security.
For tournament days, night before. The style settles overnight and holds better than freshly-done hair. Use a silk pillowcase if possible, or a satin sleep cap. In the morning, smooth flyaways with a brush and add a light spray.
Three things. First, don't make the ponytail too tight at the base — aim for "secure but comfortable." Second, switch to a Dutch braid (#1 or #2) which distributes tension across the whole scalp instead of one point. Third, use no-slip elastics that don't need to be wrapped tight to hold.
Direction of the cross. In a French braid, the side sections cross over the middle section. In a Dutch braid, they cross under. The Dutch braid sits on top of the hair (more visible, more secure for sports), while the French braid disappears into it (more elegant for everyday). For volleyball, Dutch wins every time.
Most older players can do the high braided ponytail (#2), fishtail ponytail (#5), and high bun (#3) on themselves with a little practice. The double Dutch braids (#1) and French braid pigtails (#4) usually need a second pair of hands — the angle behind your own head is tricky. Watch the videos a few times and practice on a non-game day.
Simple Volleyball Hairstyles for Hassle-Free Game Day
A great volleyball hairstyle is one you put in once and don't think about for two hours. Every style on this list passes that test. Pick the one that matches your hair length and the time you have available the morning of a game, and stick with it. Consistency means muscle memory, and muscle memory means a perfect braid in 6 minutes instead of 12.
And one last thing: the hairstyle is the boring infrastructure of game day. The fun part is what you accessorize it with. A team-colored ribbon woven through the braid, a matching scrunchie, a bright headband — those small touches turn a functional style into a uniform. Pick the secure style first, then have fun with the details.