This study is to investigate the distribution of the radiation force exerted on a homogeneous sphere by two circularly-polarized counterpropagating $TEM_{00}$ laser beams. The time-averaged expressions of the rediation force are derived for both cases of two interfering $TEM_{00}$ laser beams and a standing plane electromagnetic wave. The radiation force is numerically calculated and the physical interpretations of computed results are presented. The results in this paper will be useful in the optical levitation experiment using two counterpropagating $TEM_{00}$ laser beams or a standing plane electomagnetic wave.