GRADE 8 CREATIVE ARTS AND SPORTS CREATING AND PERFORMING IN CREATIVE ARTS AND SPORTS – VOLLEYBALL Notes
VOLLEYBALL
Subject: CREATIVE ARTS AND SPORTS — Topic: CREATING AND PERFORMING IN CREATIVE ARTS AND SPORTS
Subtopic: VOLLEYBALL
Target age: 13 years (Kenya)
Why play volleyball?
- Fun team sport that builds fitness, coordination and teamwork.
- Good for school competitions (inter-class, inter-school) and community games.
- Easy to adapt for small courts (play with fewer players or lower net).
Equipment & court
- Ball: volleyball (school balls or locally available ball). Emoji: 🏐
- Net and posts. Official net heights: men 2.43 m, women 2.24 m. For U13 many coaches lower the net (approx. 2.15–2.20 m) so players learn skills comfortably.
- Court: 18 m × 9 m is the full court. In schools you can adapt space (smaller courts) to suit players.
- Good shoes (trainers) and comfortable PE kit. Avoid playing on very wet or unsafe surfaces.
Basic rules (simple)
- Teams: 6 players on court (schools may play 4 or 3). Substitutes wait on the bench.
- Each side may touch the ball up to 3 times before sending it over the net. A player cannot touch the ball twice in succession (except after a block in some cases).
- Serve starts a rally. When your team wins a rally you score a point (rally scoring).
- A set usually goes to 25 points (must win by 2). A deciding set goes to 15. In schools you may play shorter sets (e.g., 15).
- Faults: catching/carrying the ball, touching the net, stepping on/over the centre line, double contact (bad bump or set).
Main skills (how to do them)
Stand behind the end line, hold ball in front, swing arm under with the heel of the hand, hit ball under its centre to get it over the net. Step forward with opposite foot as you hit.
2. Overarm serve (more power)Toss ball slightly in front, swing arm over shoulder and strike with open hand. Practice accuracy before power.
3. Forearm pass (bump)Join hands, keep arms straight, use legs to move and guide the ball into the setter’s area. Eyes on the ball, knees bent, platform angled towards target.
4. SetUse fingertips, hands shaped like a triangle, push up with legs, extend arms to place ball for attacker. Keep contact short and clean.
5. Spike (attack)Approach with 3 steps (right-left-right for right-handers), jump and swing arm to hit ball down into opponent court. Aim away from blockers.
6. BlockAt net, jump with both hands up, press over the net slightly (without touching it) to stop or deflect attacker’s hit.
7. DigLow, fast reaction to hard spikes. Get your body behind the ball, use forearms to direct it to the setter.
Warm-up & simple drills
- Warm-up (8–10 min): light jog, dynamic stretches (arm circles, leg swings), lunges, ankle rolls. Finish with short passes in pairs.
- Wall passing: Stand 2–3 m from a wall and bump the ball to the wall, catch the rebound. Practice control and consistency.
- Partner setting: Set back and forth; count sets without losing control (target 20 in a row).
- Serve target: Place cones on the court; practice serving to hit cones—focus on accuracy.
- 3-person drill (pass, set, hit): Player A passes to B (setter), B sets to C (attacker), C hits back; rotate positions.
- Mini-game: Play 4 vs 4 on a smaller court to involve everyone and practice game play.
Positions & rotation (simple)
Positions are numbered 1–6. When your team wins the serve from the other team you rotate clockwise so a new player serves. Common roles:
- Setter (usually near position 2 or 3) — directs the attack by setting the ball.
- Outside hitters (attack from left) — main attackers and passers.
- Middle blocker — blocks and quick attacks near the net.
- Libero/defensive specialist (in schools may be informal) — back-row defence and passing.
Safety & fair play
- Warm-up before playing. Stay hydrated—bring water (Kenya’s weather can be hot).
- Know how to fall safely—tuck chin, use forearms to absorb impact.
- Do not hang on the net or push opponents. Play with respect.
- Report injuries to teacher/coach immediately.
Adaptations for Kenyan schools
- If no formal net is available, use a rope at a comfortable height. Use cones/stones to mark court lines.
- Play on grass or tarmac when courts are not available—adjust footwear accordingly.
- Organise short tournaments during sports day: 4-a-side or 6-a-side with short sets (to 15) to involve many pupils.
Quick checklist for practice
- Ball and net ready 🏐
- Warm-up completed
- Drills: passing, setting, serving, attacking (15–20 minutes each)
- Short scrimmage to apply skills in a game