VOLLEYBALL RESOURCE FILE

KATELYN CATALANO

20171782
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to volleyball 3

Court set up 3

Volleyball rules 4

Game terminology 5

Position information 7

Key teaching points 9

Passing (Inc. Setting, spiking, digging) 9

Serving 10

Blocking 10

Skill practices 11

Warm-up activities 11

Over-head passing drills 18

Forearm passing drills 22

Spiking drills 25

Serving drills 27

Blocking drills 33

Defensive drills 39

Offensive drills 43

Additional resources 47

Game Sense 47

Wet weather activities 50

Reference List 52
INTRODUCTION TO VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball is a game played by two teams, usually of six players on a side, in which the players use their hands
to bat a ball back and forth over a high net, trying to make the ball touch the court within the opponents’ playing
area before it can be returned. To prevent this a player on the opposing team bats the ball up and toward a
teammate before it touches the court surface—that teammate may then volley it back across the net or bat it to a
third teammate who volleys it across the net. A team is allowed only three touches of the ball before it must be
returned over the net.

COURT SET UP

(The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019; Sport Imports, 2019).

GAME RULES

Basic volleyball rules

 6 players on the floor at any one time - 3 in the front row and 3 in the back row
  Maximum of 3 hits per side
 Points are made on every serve for wining team of rally (rally-point scoring).
 Player may not hit the ball twice in succession. (A block is not considered a hit.)
 Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve.
 A ball hitting a boundary line is in.
 A ball is out if it hits an antennae, the floor completely outside the court, any of the net or cables outside
the antennae, the referee stand or pole, the ceiling above a non-playable area.
 It is legal to contact the ball with any part of a player’s body.
 It is illegal to catch, hold or throw the ball.
 A player cannot block or attack a serve from on or inside the 10-foot line.
 After the serve, front-line players may switch positions at the net.
 Matches are made up of sets; the number depends on level of play. 3-set matches are 2 sets to 25 points
and a third set to 15. Each set must be won by two points. The winner is the first team to win 2 sets. 5-set
matches are 4 sets to 25 points and fifth set to 15. The team must win by 2 unless tournament rules
dictate otherwise. The winner is the first team to win three sets.

Basic volleyball violations

 When serving, the player steps on or across the service line as while making contact with the ball.
 Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.
 Ball-handling errors. Contacting the ball illegally (double touching, lifting, carrying, throwing, etc.)
 Touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play.
 When blocking a ball coming from the opponent’s court, it’s illegal to contact the ball when reaching over
the net if both your opponent has not used 3 contacts AND they have a player there to make a play on
the ball.
 When attacking a ball coming from the opponent’s court, contacting the ball when reaching over the net is
a violation if the ball has not yet broken the vertical plane of the net.
 Crossing the court centerline with any part of your body is a violation. Exception: if it is the hand or foot. In
this case, the entire hand or entire foot must cross for it to be a violation.
 Serving out of rotation/order.
 Back-row player blocking (deflecting a ball coming from the opponent) when, at the moment of contact,
the back-row player is near the net and has part of his/her body above the top of the net. This is an illegal
block.
 Back-row player attacking a ball inside the front zone (the area inside the 3M/10-foot line) when, at the
moment of contact, the ball is completely above the net. This is an illegal attack.

(The Art of Coaching Volleyball, 2018)

GAME TERMINOLOGY

Ace: A serve that results directly in a point, usually when the ball hits the floor untouched on the receiving team’s
side of the court.

Assist: Helping a teammate set up for a kill.

Attack: The offensive action of hitting the ball.

Attacker: Also “hitter” and “spiker.” A player who attempts to hit a ball offensively with the purpose of terminating
play.

Attack Block: The defensive team’s attempt to block a spiked ball.

Attack Line: A line 3 meters/10 feet away from, and parallel to, the net. Separates the front-row players from the
back-row players. A back-row player cannot legally attack the ball above the net unless he takes off from behind
this line.

Back row/court: Space from baseline (endline) to attack line. There are 3 players whose court positions are in
this area (positions 1, 6 & 5 on court)

Back set: Set delivered behind the setter.

Baseline: The back boundary of the court. Also called the end line

Block: One of the 6 basic skills. A defensive play by one or more front-row players meant to intercept a spiked
ball. The combination of one, 2 or 3 players jumping in front of the opposing spiker and contacting the spiked ball
with the hands.

Blocking Error: Touching the net, crossing the centerline, blocking a set or serve or any other “local” violation
that occurs while making a block attempt.

Center line: The boundary that runs under the net and divides the court into two equal halves.

Cross-court attack: An attack directed diagonally from the point of attack. Also called an angle hit.

Cut shot: A spike from the hitter’s strong side that travels at a sharp angle across the net.

Deep: Refers to sending the ball away from the net, toward the baseline of the opponent’s court.

Defense: One of the 6 basic skills. The key skills used to receive the opponent's attack are digging and
sprawling. The dig resembles a forearm pass from a low ready position and is used more for balls that are hit
near the defender. The sprawl is a result of an attempted dig for a ball hit farther away from the defender. It
resembles a dive.

Dig: Passing a spiked or rapidly hit ball and low to ground. Defensive play. Slang for retrieving an attacked ball
close to the floor. Statistically scored on a 3.0 point system.

Double hit: Violation. Two successive hits by the same player.

Dump: Usually performed by the setter, who delivers the ball into the opponent’s court on the second contact.

Free ball: Returning the ball to the opponent without the intent to get a kill. Usually a slow, arcing pass or “roll”
shot rather than a spike.

Game plan: Offensive and defensive emphasis for an opponent. Usually organized for each rotation by the
coaching staff.

Held ball: A ball that comes to rest during contact resulting in a violation.

Hit: One of the 6 basic skills. To jump and strike the ball with an overhand, forceful shot.

Hitter: Also “spiker” or “attacker.” The player who is responsible for hitting the ball.

Jump serve: The server uses an approach, toss, takeoff and serves the ball with a spiking motion while in the
air. There are two main types: jump float, jump spin.

Lines: The marks that serve as boundaries of a court. 2 inches (5cm) wide.

Linesman: Officials located at the corners of the court; each linesman is responsible for ruling if the ball is legally
in play along the lines for which he or she is responsible. For indicating touches and play outside of the antennae
on their side of net.
Lineup: Players starting rotation and, therefore, serving order. Numbered 1,2,3,4,5,6.

Overhand pass: A pass with both hands open that is controlled by the fingers, with the face below the ball. Both
hands simultaneously contact the ball above the head and direct it to the intended target.

Overhand serve: Serving the ball and striking it with the hand above the shoulder. Float or spin.

Pass: One of the 6 basic skills. Receiving a serve or the first contact of the ball with the intent to control the ball
to another player. Also called a “bump”.

Rally scoring: Scoring method where points can be won by the serving or receiving team.

Ready position: The flexed, yet comfortable, posture a player assumes before moving to the point of contact.

Rotation: The clockwise movement of players around the court and through the serving position following a side
out. Players must retain their initial rotational order throughout the entire game, but once the ball is contacted on
serve they are allowed to move anywhere.

Serve: One of the 6 basic skills. Used to put the ball into play. It is the only skill controlled exclusively by one
player.

Set: One of the 6 basic skills. The tactical skill in which a ball is directed to a point where a player can spike it
into the opponent’s court. Sets can be set at different heights and different locations on the net and offensively
there are names for each of these. First number is location on net and second number height of set. (Example:
13.) Sets can also be named.

Spike: Also called a hit or attack. A ball contacted with force by a player on the offensive team who intends to
terminate the ball on the opponent’s floor or off the opponent’s blocker..

Underhand serve: A serve performed with an underhand striking action. The ball is usually contacted with the
heel of the hand.

(The Art of Coaching Volleyball, 2018)

POSITIONAL INFORMATION

Basics of volleyball positions

 There are three players on each of the zone.

 Front row players are players who are allowed to block the opponent and attack the ball in the attack
zone.
 Back row players are players who play defense by digging opponent’s attacks and attack the ball behind
attack line (3 meter line, 10 feet line).
 Players are rotating clockwise on the court after winning the rally after the opponent’s serve.

Playing positions in volleyball

Outside hitter:

 Outside Hitter is the player who carries the serve receive responsibility along with the libero.
 Outside hitter most often attacks the balls which setter sets to the antenna to the left side of the
court. Therefore after the serve outside hitters place themselves to the left front position. Sometimes
setters run offensive plays in which outside hitters run to hit balls “inside” around the middle blockers.
 Outside hitters play both the front row and the back row. In modern high level volleyball outside hitters
are responsible for hitting the 3 meter or 10 feet line attacks, usually from the middle back position when
playing in the back row.
 Playing on the outside hitter’s position requires great all around skills because they play through the
front row and the back row.
 They have to have the skills to pass, attack, block, serve and play defense.
 Along with the opposites, they are often players who score the most points in the game.

Right side hitter:

 Right side hitter has the similar role than outside hitter, they play front row and back row and are
carrying pass, attack, block, serve and defense responsibilities.
 Right side hitters aim to place themselves to the right front playing position.
Opposite Hitter (attacker):

 The opposite hitter is the player who most often scores the most points in the team.
 Opposite hitters don’t have the passing responsibilities. They stand behind the passers on the rotation
while libero and outside hitters pass the ball and place themselves to the left front, right front or right
back playing position.
 The opposite usually get the most sets in the game.
 Often counter attack sets after the defensive play go to the opposite hitters - they carry the responsibility
of hitting the ball against a solid block when the pass is off the net.
 Opposites need to have great blocking skills since they play against the opposite hitter of the opponent
or opponent's outside hitter when in the front row.
 Opposites also need to have defensive skills because they also play the back row where they are
responsible of hitting 3 meter or 10 feet balls from the right back position.

Setter:

 The setter is the playmaker, point guard or the quarterback of the volleyball team. A setter’s
responsibility is to run the team’s offense and build up offensive scoring opportunities for the team.
 The setter plays both front row and back row, therefore s/he needs to be able to block, serve and play
defense.
 The setter needs to have good blocking skills because in front row position s/he plays against the
opponent’s outside hitter who often carries big load of the attacking responsibility for the team.
 The setter plays the right front or the right back position

Middle Blocker (centre)

 Middle blockers main responsibility is to stop the opponent’s offense. The middle blocker builds a block
which stops the ball,or allows the team to dig the ball up.
 Middle blockers' job is to stop the opponent’s middle hitters or wing hitters in co-operation with
teammates.
 Middle blockers need to have great blocking, attacking and serving skills.

Libero

 The libero is fairly new position in volleyball. The libero is a back row specialist who is allowed to play
back court only.
 The libero wears a different color shirt in the team and is allowed to enter and exit the game without
substitution request.
 The libero can replace any player on the court and most often replaces middle blockers.
 The libero is not allowed to serve the ball. (Some leagues in US allow liberos to serve.)
 Since playing in the back court only, the libero needs to have the best passing and defensive skills in
the team. The libero need to have exceptional serve receive skills because often they pass a larger area
than other serve receivers in the team.

(Volleyball Advisors, 2015).

KEY TEACHING POINTS

PASSING (DIGGING, SETTING, HITTING)

READY POSITION UNDERARM PASS/DIG

TEACHING POINTS TEACHING POINTS

 Feet shoulder width apart  Get in ready position

 Knees and hips bent  Get your body directly behind the ball and
 Arms slightly bent, with palms facing up pass from the midline of your body
 Eyes tracking the ball  Hands together with palms facing upwards
 Lock elbows and keep arms straight out in
front
 Hands swing upwards to strike the ball
upwards with the lower forearms

HITTING/SPIKING

TEACHING POINTS
OVERHEAD PASS/SET
 Arms start from a position behind the body
TEACHING POINTS  Arms swing forward to generate momentum
while height is being generated through the
 Body is underneath the ball legs
 Contact with the ball is made above the  Pull the arm that hits the ball back like
forehead pulling back an arrow and opening up
 Hand take the form/shape of the ball through the shoulders
 Fingers spread out  Contact the ball with a high hand during
arm swing
 Body is facing the target
SERVING

UNDERARM SERVE OVERARM SERVE

TEACHING POINTS TEACHING POINTS

 Left foot forward, ball held out in front of the  Left foot forward, ball held out in front of the
body, in the left hand (for right handers) body, in the left hand (for right handers)
 Swing the straight arm to strike underneath  Knees and hips slightly bent
the ball (closed fist, or heel of hand for my  Lightly toss the ball up towards the right
advanced) hand
 Follow through with the fist pointing towards  Toss the ball up about as high as your arm
the target when it is fully extended
 Step forward with left foot
 Hit the volleyball when it is at its highest
point with a straight arm using the palm of
your hand

BLOCKING

BLOCK

TEACHING POINTS

 Stand in ready position with hands high and

palms facing forwards
 Drive off from legs to get towards the path
of the ball, watch the timing from the
opponents jump
 Extend arms above head with palms facing
forwards and fingers spread (Strong hands)
 Flex knees to help cushion landing

(BBC, 2019; Volleyball New Brunswick, 2019))