PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

VOLLEYBALL

INSTRUCTIONS

This Learning Packet has two parts: (1) text to read and (2) questions and puzzles.

The text describes a particular sport or physical activity, and relates its history, rules,
playing techniques, scoring and popularity.

The Response Forms (questions and puzzles) check your understanding and
appreciation of the sport or physical activity.

INTRODUCTION

Volleyball is a popular sport which

can be played both indoors and
outdoors. It appeals to people of
all ages and skill levels. It is fast-
paced, with constant jumping
and running, and thus provides a strenuous aerobic workout. It also requires mental
alertness and quick, precise physical reactions.

Many associate volleyball with the beaches of southern California and in fact, a
number of professional players got their start by playing beach volleyball. However,
volleyball is popular not only on the beaches, but in virtually every country of the
world. In 1964, it was officially recognized as part of the Olympic Games.

HISTORY OF THE GAME

Volleyball originated in Massachusetts in 1895 when the director of a local YMCA

used the bladder of a basketball for a ball and a tennis net as the first volleyball net.
The game was regulated by the YMCA until 1928 when the United States Volleyball
Association was founded.

HOW VOLLEYBALL IS PLAYED

The name “volleyball” is not an entirely accurate description of this sport. The object
of the game is hit the ball over the net in such a way that the opposing team cannot
return it.
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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball is played on a court about 30 feet wide by about

60 feet long. The net is three feet high and spans the width
of the playing area. The top of the net is positioned about
eight feet (in men’s volleyball) from the floor or playing
surface. The modern volleyball is about the size of a soccer
ball and weighs between nine and ten ounces.

The game is played by two opposing teams, with six

players on each team. Once the ball is put into play, it is
“volleyed” back and forth between the teammates up to
three times before it is hit over the net or until it falls to the
floor, is hit out of bounds or a team commits a foul. The
same player may not make a hit twice in a row. Even if
the ball hits a player by accident, it counts as one of the three touches allowed per
side. However, if a player blocks a spike, the block is not considered a “hit.”

VOLLEYBALL SCORING SYSTEMS

RALLY POINT SCORING

The team winning a rally scores a point. When the receiving team
wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve, and its players
rotate one position clockwise. The best three of five games will
win matches. Each non-deciding game will be won by the team that first scores 25
points with a minimum two-point advantage. If there is a deciding game, it will be
won by the team that first scores 15 points with a minimum two-point advantage.

SIDEOUT SCORING

Only the serving team may score a point, except in the deciding game when rally-point
scoring is used. When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains the right to serve (also
scoring a point in the deciding game), and its players rotate one position clockwise.
Rotation ensures that players play at both the net and the back zone of the court.

A team wins a game by scoring 15 points with a two-point advantage and wins
the match by winning the best of three or five games. In the event of a 16-16 tie,
the team scoring the 17th point wins a non-deciding game with only a one-point
advantage. In a deciding game there is no point cap.
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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL

Almost all schools have changed from “Sideout Scoring”

to “Rally Point Scoring.” Rally scoring looks very similar
to a side-out game, with the main difference being a point
scored every time the ball is blown dead.

What constitutes a match when you rally score? Teams

will play the best three out of five games. “Game-point”
for the first four games will be 25 points. (You must win
by two points.) The fifth and deciding game is played to
15. (Again, you must win by 2 points.)

How much time should be allotted for matches that are

rally scored? Most three of five rally matches end in three games. The approximate
length of time for a game (not including warm-up) is less than 20 minutes. Three-
game matches take approximately 60 minutes, while five-game matches take
approximately 90 minutes. The nature of volleyball allows games to be substantially
shorter when one team is strong and another weak. Rally scoring no longer
accommodates long non-scoring periods during a game or match.

What is the “let serve?” The “let serve” is a ball that when served, hits the net without
touching the net antenna and continues across the net into the opponent’s court.
The let serve is a playable live ball. The let serve is a strategy used to keep the
game moving with fewer interruptions in play.

With the “let serve” there is no longer a need to touch the net when giving the signal
to serve.

Time-outs: Each team is allowed a maximum of two time-outs per game. A time-out
is a maximum of 60 seconds, although play may resume sooner if both teams are
ready prior to 60 seconds. Extra time-outs
are not granted during rally scoring, nor are
time-out accumulative during a match.

A game has a total of 25 points except in

deciding games. If a team fails to serve
properly, return the ball, or commits any other
fault, the opponent wins the rally and scores
the point. Each game must be won by a two-
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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL

point margin. A match consists of the best three of five games. The team which wins
three games is the winner of the match.

Volleyball requires a referee, who generally has the final word regarding points
in dispute, an umpire who assists the referee, a scorekeeper, a timekeeper and
linesmen. Even though there may be officials present during a game, players who
commit fouls are expected to call out their own mistakes.

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

THE READY POSITION AND JUMP

One of the basic positions in volleyball is called the

“ready position.” The knees are slightly bent with
hands at waist level and elbows near the body to
allow the player to concentrate on the ball. Players should learn this position so
that time is not wasted when the ball is hit. Jumping is always done near the net.
Players should practice jumping so that they do not touch the net, or bump into or
injure other players. They should also remember always to jump parallel to the net.

THE SERVE: OVERHAND AND UNDERHAND

Serving is a crucial skill for the volleyball player to learn. The cardinal rules of serving
are simple: do not step on a boundary line, and get the ball over the net.

The overhand serve is the most popular and effective serve. It is

similar to a tennis serve. The ball is thrown into the air so that it
rises a few feet above the server’s head. As the ball comes down,
the right arm (if you are right-handed) is raised up and back while
the elbow comes forward. The arm is then extended at the elbow
and the server hits the ball with the heel of the hand.

The underhand serve is a good serve for beginners to use. It is

simply another way of getting the ball over the net. The ball is held
in one hand and hit by the heel of the other hand. The underhand
serve is generally not as effective as the overhand serve.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL

THE PASS OR SET

The pass is a difficult move for many beginning players. This skill looks
easier than it actually is when performed. Once the ball is served, the
player who will pass the ball gets into position under the ball with knees
bent, hands up and fingers cupped. All the fingers and the two thumbs
contact the ball, but the ball does not touch the palm of the hand.

When the ball is in the air over the serving side’s court, it may be
passed up to three times before it is returned over the net. One player
cannot pass the ball twice in a row.

Note that overhead passes are not used when the returning ball is a
“spike.”

THE SPIKE

The spike is one of the most difficult plays in volleyball: a player has to run, jump
and hit the ball to a specific spot on the other side of the net. However, it is the best
offensive move in volleyball, and it should be learned.

Generally, a spiked ball is hit with an open hand. However, unless a player is quite
experienced, spiking a ball can sometimes result in the ball going out of bounds or
into the net. Remember that practice in timing, jumping and hitting are required to
spike correctly. A spiked ball, hit properly, can move up to a hundred miles an hour.

THE FOREARM BOUNCE PASS-BUMP

The bump is used for receiving serves and spike balls. This
shot is easy to execute because the ball simply bounces
or bumps off the clasped hands, wrists or forearms.

The purpose of this shot is to bounce the ball into the air
so that a teammate can get under it to make a set-up (a
move usually used to direct the ball to the spiker).

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL

ONE-HAND BOUNCE PASS-DIG

This is a recovery shot, and is used if the ball received is low and off to the side of
a player. If you cannot make a bump pass, use a dig or save pass instead. In this
move, the hands are cupped. They are then placed under the ball just before it
hits the floor.

THE BLOCK

This move is used chiefly as a defensive position to stop spiked

balls. As with spiking, timing is important in blocking.

A player must anticipate an opponent’s spike and position him or

herself accordingly. The blocker then jumps just after the spiker
has jumped. The blocker’s arms should be extended upward
with fingers spread wide apart. This allows the ball to bounce
off the heels of the blocker’s hands and land on the opposite
side of the net.

This is the only move in volleyball that allows the player’s hands
to go over the top of the net.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING

Standard clothing for playing volleyball is comfortable sportswear which allows for
free movement. Gym shoes are a must since most gyms do not allow anyone on the
floor in regular shoes. When played on the beach, attire ranges from gym clothes
to swimsuits. Many play barefoot in the sand.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL NOTES

VOLLEYBALL NOTES

Volleyball is played competitively at several levels. Many high school teams operate
under the jurisdiction of their school district and state athletic association. At the
college and university level the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
sponsors both men and women teams and championship tournaments.

Volleyball is also an Olympic sport. This competition occurs every four years in
the summer, where gold, silver and bronze medals are given to the top men and
women teams. In addition, there is beach competition—some of these athletes are
professionals. Beach Volleyball is also an Olympic competition. The 2008 Olympics
were held in Beijing, the 2012 in London and 2016 in Brazil.

According to a recent study by the National Federation of State High School

Associations some 470,000 high school boys and girls play the sport. Among girls
it is the third most popular sport choice.

High school teams are now allowed to place their school name or mascot on the
sleeve of their solid-colored jerseys, providing it appears in either a 4-by-4 inch or
3-by-5 inch space.

There are, however, many levels of volleyball competition. Most cities and towns
offer amateur clubs or teams. Some are sponsored by such organizations as YMCA’s
or local park districts.

To find out more about this sport visit these volleyball websites:

[Link]/volleyball

[Link]

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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET VOLLEYBALL

NAME DATE

WHAT TO DO

The following questions will help you to have a greater appreciation and understanding
of volleyball. Write your answers in the spaces below the questions. If there is not
enough room, write on the backs of these sheets. Be neat, spell correctly, and write
in complete sentences.

1. Why is volleyball considered to be such a good aerobic exercise?

2. How many total points can be scored in a game of volleyball?

3. What is the only move in volleyball where a player’s hands are allowed above
the net?

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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET VOLLEYBALL

4. What clothing is typically worn for playing volleyball?

5. What is “the ready position” in volleyball and how is it used?

6. What is an overhand serve?

7. What is an underhand serve?

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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET VOLLEYBALL

8. What is a pass and how is it used?

9. How is a spike ball hit?

10. How is a block used?

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CROSSWORD VOLLEYBALL

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ________________

Across: Down:
1. Defensive technique to stop spiked balls 1. The forearm bounce pass-_______
2. This person assists the referee 2. To serve with the heel of the hand
4. They assist the referee 3. Best three of five games
7. First volleyball was made of this from a 5. Fast offensive hit to a specific spot
basketball 6. It is three feet high and is located in the
8. Main official for a volleyball game center of the court
9. The top of the net is ____ feet from the floor in 7. The 2008 Olympics was held here
men’s volleyball 11. In rally point scoring the team winning this
10. It is 30 feet wide and 60 feet long scores a point
15. Total points in a “deciding” game 12. Institution where volleyball was founded
17. The number of players on a volleyball team 13. Usually, only the serving team scores a point
18. Organization of colleges and universities that with this type of scoring
promotes athletic competition 14. The palm does not touch the ball during
19. The ball is put into play with this a ______
20. A type of one-hand pass 16. Most number of times the ball can be
21. Most popular serve technique volleyed before it is hit across the net

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WORD SEARCH VOLLEYBALL

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ________________

Find these words in the above puzzle. Circle the words.

Beach Net Sportswear

California Olympic Stanford

GamePoint Overhand Swimsuits

Hit Player UCLA

Massachusetts Referee Volleyball

Match Soccerball Volleyed

NCAA Spike YMCA

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES VOLLEYBALL COMMON CORE

COMMON CORE QUESTIONS / ACTIVITIES (AT TEACHER’S DIRECTION)

1. What is the definition of the word, “aerobic”?

2. What is the geometric shape of a volleyball court?

3. Write a persuasive argument explaining why “Rally Scoring” is better than

“Side-Out-Scoring.”

4. If you have access to a computer, find on the Internet the most current
NCAA, Division I women’s volleyball team champion. Read about their
victory. Then pretend you covered this game as a sports reporter, now write
your own story (avoiding plagiarism) based on what you read.

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