Volleyball

It is not possible to learn the game by playing at once. To learn the game, different skill related to volleyball needs to be practiced. We have practiced digging, volleying, and underhand services in class 6 and 7. Along with those skills, we will practice the overhead service as well in class 8.

Overhead serve

At the beginning of the game the player with the service, the server stands behind the end line (service area) facing the court. The server steps up with a left foot in front (if s/he is right-handed if s/he is left-handed then the position of the feet will be vice versa) and gets ready looking at the ball on her/his left hand. Once the ball is tossed above the right shoulder then the right arm comes forward to meet the ball with an open hand. As far as possible the tossed ball should be struck at the maximum height with the right hand. To serve the ball, the right arm should be stretched backward and the torso as well. The ball should be served with a powerful strike and the hand should move forward along with the ball (follow through).

Activities

Once the technique is understood, it should be practiced as well to learn. So we will practice accordingly.

Servicing in a Row

We will divide ourselves into two groups of the equal number on each side. One group should remain behind the line for servicing and other group stays in the court to receive the service in a row. The first friend in the line serves the ball and joins the side of the row. Whoever catches the ball, that is in a row, it should be passed to the friend in a row at the side.He collects the ball and go to the service area and passes the ball to the friend that is in front of the line. So, she/he should go and join the line at the back. This way, service could be practiced in turn.

Setting

To raise the ball near and above the net is known as setting in volleyball. Setting is to raise the volleyball to the partner for spiking. The ball should be raised for the setter that is served by the opponent. The setter should properly raise the ball to the right or left above the net. The ball should not cross over the net while setting.

Spiking

To smash the ball onto the opponent's court, that was raised by the setter above the net is called spiking. The spiked ball travels hard and fast which makes difficult for the opponents to receive or dig. A few approach steps should be measured and take off on both legs for a good jump in the air and ball must be spiked down onto the opponent's court.

Setting and Spiking Practice

According to the availability of volleyballs, one ball should be shared between two rows. The person in the front of the row should toss the ball up in the air on his own and smash it while it is coming down. Then, this person should go behind and join the line at the back.The first person in the other row also does the same.
This exercise could be done at the net as well. There should be 4 or 5 people to help to collect the balls. The first person in the row tosses the ball to the setter. The setter sets the ball to the spiker. Then, the spiker jumps and spikes it. This way, everyone gets the opportunity for setting as well as spiking.

Exercise for Playing Volleyball

After learning the different skill of volleyball, we shall play the game and use the skills to improve. The game should be played in a group of 6 people.
If there are more than necessary students then some should count the points and keep the score, some be linesmen, some referee the game and others are umpire, timekeeper, coach, and remaining students should be spectators. As the practice is in progress, all should get a turn to join in the play.

General Rules of Volleyball

For the practice of the game good player, beginners, boys, girls all should be included in the group. Then only the game could be practiced interestingly. When we play the game we have to follow some rules of the game as well. Such as

1. Toss the coin to choose the service or the side of the court.
2. If the service receiving team is unable to return the ball properly then group 1 (servicing team) gets one point. If the servicing team commits a mistake then the service changes and along the service one point also goes to the opponent's team. When the service changes the players should also change their places in a clockwise rotation.
3. At any time, three touches are allowed to a team, after the third touch the ball must cross the net and go to opponent's court (except at the servicing).
4. Whichever team is able to get first 25 points will win the game.
5. Hand or any part of the body should not touch the net.
6. It is not allowed to cross the centerline.
7. The height of the net should be of 2.24 meters. (According to the height and skills of the students the height of the net could be adjusted.)