Volleyball Activities

KNEE VOLLEYBALL

Object:

• To emphasize correct position play for volleyball.

Equipment:

• One volleyball
• Knee pads for each player

Description:

• Players either wear knee pads or the game is played on a large mat.
• A net is placed at the height of a tennis net and the players play the game on their knees instead of in a standing position.
• Volleyball rules are used when playing knee volleyball except that the serve consists of a two-handed overhead toss and spiking is not permitted.

Variations:

• Require two passes before hitting the ball over the net.
• Mark zones on the floor and have the players play from a standing position without using the spike.

BALL PROGRESSION

Object:

• To learn volleyball skills by using different kinds of balls.

Equipment:

• Volleyball
• Balloon
• Beach ball
• Plastic ball

Description:

• An exciting way to teach young children the skills of volleyball is to vary the kind of ball that is to be used.
  1. Heavy balloon – The students use a heavy balloon to get the concept of a volleyball game.
  2. Beach ball – The beach ball is heavier and demands quicker reactions from the players. They continue to develop and improve their understanding and skills.
  3. Heavy plastic ball – This ball is somewhat lighter than a volleyball, but it is possible to closely simulate a volleyball game.
  4. Volleyball – Students are now ready to use a volleyball. They play regular volleyball because they understand the concepts and rules and have developed the skills needed for volleyball.

BALL OF FIRE

Object:

• To volley and catch accurately and quickly in order to avoid being caught with the "ball of fire."

Equipment:

• One volleyball per team

Description:

• Stand in a circle, at least five feet from any other player.
• The ball is volleyed, using the set pass, to any other player on the circle.
• This person must catch the ball and then volley to another player and so on.
• As the ball is being volleyed and caught, the instructor blows a whistle.
• The player who is in possession of the ball must sit down in the center of the circle while the others continue to volley, until one person remains.

Variations:

• For younger players, use beach balls, foam rubber balls, etc.
• Use throwing and catching rather than volleying.
• Use the bump rather than the set.
• Use two or more fire balls in each circle.

ODD BALL

Object:

• To have as few balls as possible in your team's possession when the whistle is blown.

Equipment:

• Seven volleyballs (or other types of balls) per game
• Nets and standards

Description:

• One team is on each side of the net, with three or four balls in its possession.
• On a signal, each team throws the balls to the other team, and continues to do so as soon as they are caught.
• You want as few balls as possible on your side of the net at the end of the designated amount of time.
• One point is given for each ball in the team's possession at the end of the game, and the team with the lowest score is the winner.

Variations:

• Set, serve, or bump rather than throw and catch.
  
  

Excerpted from What Are We Doing in Gym Today?