Week 4 - Sitting Volleyball

Equipment

Suitable indoor or outdoor playing area
Net or rope (with ribbons)
Beach ball, light plastic ball or lightweight volleyball
Marker cones

Download the Sitting Volleyball - Week 4 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.

Skill development game

Learning intention

To practice and refine catching, throwing, spatial awareness and shot placement skills in a game situation.

Skill focus

Throwing
Catching
Shot placement
Spatial awareness

Names

Players seated in a circle throw a ball to other players in the circle. An interceptor inside the circle tries to intercept the ball. Only the interceptor can move (optional). Groups of 6–8 players.

Equipment: Mini volleyballs

How to play

Players on the circles are seated.
The player throwing the ball calls out a name (the receiver) and passes the ball to that player.
If the ball is intercepted, the thrower changes places with the interceptor, or change after 4 throws.
Change the method of passing between players (e.g. dig, set, serve or spike).

Names - Playing for Life Card

Safety

Ensure adequate space for number of players.
Ensure adequate space between circles.
Agree on a ‘lost ball’ strategy, i.e. play stops until the ball is retrieved.

Modifying Speed throw using TREE

Teaching style

Because players don’t run with the ball, the activity accommodates a wide range of ability levels.
Highlight good examples of throwing and catching. Ask the group why they think the pair has been chosen as role models.
Highlight good tactical passing or intercepting.

Rules

Type of pass – vary the pass, e.g. include rolling.
Restrict passing – discuss with the group whether they would like to disallow passes to the person either side of them. Allow only certain passes.
Bonus – if passing to the person on either side is allowed and the ball is intercepted, this could give the interceptor a credit of one false call when in the throwing role.
Time limit on ball contact – e.g. ‘hot potato’ or 3 seconds before throwing the ball
Restrict interceptor position – the interceptor must stand at least one metre from the thrower.
The coach calls out the numbers.
Use more interceptors.

Equipment

Use different balls – vary size, shape and hardness.

Environment

Bigger or smaller circles.

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

Sitting Volleyball

An alternative version to traditional standing Volleyball using a smaller court and lower net. Sitting Volleyball is a Paralympic sport.

Equipment: Suitable indoor or outdoor playing area, net or rope (with ribbons), beach ball, light plastic ball or lightweight volleyball

How to play

Divide into 2 teams of 6 players (or a suitable number).
Players must be seated (see Rules).
Players try to send the ball over the net so that it touches the ground on their opponents’ side
‘Rallies’ continue until a point is scored by:

- the ball touching the ground

- the ball goes ‘out’

- the opponents fail to return it.

Normally a maximum of three hits per team before the ball must cross the net.

Safety

Ensure players have personal space.
Players who are sensitive to rough surfaces should sit on a mat or soft area.

Sitting Volleyball - Sports ability playing card

Modifying Sitting Volleyball using TREE

Teaching style

Introduce the rules gradually:

- do not penalise ‘double’ hits in the beginning

- allow more than three team hits before the ball crosses the net.

Rules

Change the height of the net to suit the age or ability of the players, or play without a net.
Allow the players to play the ball off one bounce initially.
In competitive sitting volleyball the net should be 1.15m for men, and 1.05m for women.

Equipment

Balloons are good to use initially.
As skills progress, try using different types of balls e.g. lightweight and slower-moving.
Experiment with different types of nets or barrier e.g. chairs or a wooden bench.

Environment

Vary the court size to suit the number of players, e.g. if there are more players, use a bigger space or divide the group into two games for higher involvement.

Reflection