Volleyball activity

Volleyball activity

by Oliver Evangelista

Definition of the game

Volleyball is a team sport of two to six players. The game is played by two opposing teams on court divided by a net. The aim of the game is to hit the ball into the opposing teams court. The ball is his hit over the net by the hand. The team with the most points wins.

Before playing the game, there are a few skills that we have to know.

• Serving the volleyball

• Passing the volleyball

• Setting the volleyball

• Spiking the volleyball

• Blocking the volleyball

Serving the volleyball

Serving the volleyball is how the begins. Serving the volleyball occurs on the backend of the serving teams court.

Step One: Step behind the end line or serving line.

Step Two: Place the ball in your non-dominant hand. Make sure hand and ball is at chest level.

Step three: Using your dominant hand make a fist, wrist nice and straight, and place this hand down.

Step four: Swing your dominant hand up like you are pitching in softball. (Keep hand in a fist)

Step five: Make Contact with the ball and follow through in the direction you want the ball to travel.

 

Passing (bumping) the volleyball

Passing the volleyball is an important skill in any team sport. It allows players to strategize by passing to one another.

Step 1: Use the hips, legs, and shoulders to pass the ball. Feet should be shoulder width apart. 

Step 2: Pass the ball with your shoulders, not by swinging your arms, extend arms to where the ball is going. 

Step 3: Align arms parallel to each other and have fist together

Step 4: When playing the ball away from your body, extend your passing platform away from your body as you bend at the waist and shrug your shoulders.

Step 5: When making contact with the ball, make sure knees are bent at 90 degrees

Setting the volleyball

The "set" is an overhead pass used to initiate a spike.

Step 1: Ready position, One foot should be slightly behind, knees should be slightly bent

Step 2: Extend both arms out above head with elbows pointed to the side

Step 3: Position hands above forehead with fingers spread out in the shape of the ball

Step 4: When making contact with the ball, it should be at a high position and making sure all fingers are used when making contact (ball should not touch palm)

Step 5: As soon as the ball touches your fingers, straighten your arms and legs as you push the ball upwards in the direction of the spiker

Step 6: Follow through with arms fully extended and follow through with hands 

Spiking the volleyball

An offensive move where the player jumps in the air to hit the ball with force and with the intent to land the ball down onto the opponent's side of the net

Step 1. A jump should be timed so that the ball is hit at the top of the jump

Step 2. Point non-hitting hand at the ball

Step 3. In mid jump, slightly turn the upper torso and your hips, away from the ball, twisting back just before contact with the volleyball to increase power

Step 4. Lead the motion with your elbows. Then,  straighten your arm just as you begin to hit the ball

Step 5. Land without touching the net.

Blocking the volleyball

A defensive move that is used at the net to prevent the opposing team from hitting the ball over. The purpose of the block is to stop or decrease the chances of a spike from occurring.  Also, the block sends the ball back onto the opponent's side of the court.

Step 1. Time the jump to reach a maximum height just before the opponent hits the ball for a spike

Step 2. Keep your arms straight and hands open

Step 3. Angle arms slightly over the net and slightly towards the inside of the opponent's court;

Step 4. Make sure to land on your side of the net without touching it.

Quiz time!

Multiple Choice

Before serving the volleyball, which hand do you hold the volleyball with?

• The same hand used to serve the ball with

• Non-hitting hand

• the ball is thrown in the air by a teammate for the server

• Both hands

Multiple Choice

Before serving the volleyball, how should your hand and wrist be positioned?

• fingers are closed, hands and wrist are straight

• fingers slightly open, hands and wrist are straight and stiff.

• fingers are open and the hand and wrist is relaxed.

• Hands closed in a fist and the wrist is nice and straight.

Multiple Choice

Before serving the volleyball, you must be behind the line.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

In serving, the volleyball should make contact with the middle of the palm.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

How are your hands positioned when bumping or hitting the volleyball?

• Tight and strong clenched fist

• Fist on top and clasped tightly by the bottom hand.

• Doesn't matter, as long as you hit the ball

• One hand is on top of the other, clasped together, both thumbs on the top

Multiple Choice

How is your body positioned when hitting the volleyball?

• arms are on down, facing towards the opposition, and knees are bent

• hands are clenched, facing towards the opposition, and the knees are locked.

• hands in position, facing intended direction, and knees are slightly bent

• hands are chest level and the body is upright.

Multiple Choice

In bumping to pass the volleyball, how is your arms positioned?

• Any position

• Arms are nice and straight

• Arms are down and ready

• slightly lean and angle your arms, right or left, to desired direction

Multiple Choice

How do you block a volleyball?

• Timed jump, both hand and arms are extended upwards

• Jump and use whichever arm is available

• Jump and make a funny face to you opponents to distract them

• Jump, both hand and arms are up