Week 1 - Sitting Volleyball
Equipment
Suitable indoor or outdoor playing area
Marker cones
Mini volleyball
Balloons
Beach ball
Download the Sitting volleyball - Week 1 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.
Skill development game
Learning intention
To practice hitting the ball into the air so that teammates are able to make another shot.
Skill focus
Shot placement
Spatial awareness
Striking
Keep it Up
A lead up game to Sitting Volleyball that develops basic volleyball skills.
Equipment Suitable indoor or outdoor playing area, balloon, beach ball, or lightweight volleyball
How to play
Players sit in a circle, close together on the ground or in chairs.
Using fingers and hands (but no feet or legs), players must keep a balloon or slow-moving ball off the ground.
As players’ skills and reactions improve, introduce different density or faster-moving balls.
Safety
Play sensibly. Don’t hit the ball directly at another player.
Be aware of other players.
Modifying Keep it Up using TREE
Teaching style
Keep everyone involved by ensuring groups are not too large.
Encourage players to cooperate with each other to keep the balloon floating. Where should they direct the balloon?
Introduce simple technique first e.g. keep your palms up.
Encourage students to call for the ball if it is going near another player
Rules
Allow players to play the ball off one bounce initially.
Introduce some volleyball-based rules, e.g. no double hits.
Try playing the ball in a specific order. Give everyone a number to make this easier.
Equipment
As skill level develops, add more balloons. This encourages players to cooperate to keep them all ‘afloat’.
Gradually move towards faster-moving balls, e.g. balloon > beach ball > lightweight volleyball
Environment
Introduce a specific playing area. Mark this with markers or lines on the ground.
Divide the group into two equal teams who face each other. Continue to play cooperatively without point scoring.
Introduce a barrier. Begin with a line on the ground.
Introduce volleyball rules and play for points.
If appropriate, introduce movement by standing to play.
Modified Sitting Volleyball game
Learning intention
To practice and refine catching, throwing, spatial awareness and shot placement skills in a game situation.
Skill focus
Catching
Defending
Shot placement
Spatial awareness
Throwing
No-Go
Players are divided into 2 teams separated by a ‘no-go’ barrier. The ball is thrown across the barrier. The opposing team must catch the ball and send it back
Equipment: Suitable indoor or outdoor playing area, mini volleyball (or similar), marker cones
How to play
Set up the playing area as shown. The ‘barrier’ between the 2 teams is the no-go area.
Divide the players into 2 teams.
Players sit down either side of the no-go area.
The ball is thrown across the barrier above waist height.
The opposing team must catch the ball on the full or after one bounce and send it back.
Players must catch and throw in one movement.
Safety
Make sure players are aware of the capabilities of others in the group. > Encourage players to call ‘mine!’ when taking a catch.
Modifying No-Go using TREE
Teaching style
Players should visually track the ball as early as possible.
Players try different formations to cover their side of the court.
Increase the number of players per team.
Have players move closer to the no-go zone when serving
Rules
Remove the ‘one bounce allowed’ rule – as players’ reactions improve.
Allow the receiving team to let the ball bounce twice.
Identify specific target areas where points are scored, or count double.
Equipment
Easier – use slower balls, e.g beach balls or even large balloons.
Harder – use smaller/faster balls
Environment
Vary the size of the court according to the number and ability of players – a small court makes it easier to get to a ball but needs more player communication.
Change the size of the ‘no-go’ area – a larger ‘no-go’ area makes it harder, a smaller ‘no-go’ area requires greater accuracy.
Reflection
Suggested questions for players
Keep the ball up
How can you ensure the balloon/ball stays in the air?
How can you work together to ensure the ball/balloon stays off the ground?
Where should you aim to hit the balloon/ball in order to make it easier for the next person to play a shot?
No-Go
What can we do to ensure the whole court is covered?
How do you throw the ball to ensure a long rally?
How can you use passing to your team-mates to help you score?
2 stars and a wish
Ask students:
What are 2 things you feel you did well today?
What are you going to try and improve on next week?
Students can answer reflection questions as a whole class, small group or in pairs.
