Spalding Slide Volleyball System Two-Court Post Padding
Protect your players and your standards with durable post padding.
Keep players safe and protect your volleyball standards with this post padding. Soft poly foam is covered in durable vinyl for long-lasting use. Hook-and-loop straps are designed to fit the 3" OD aluminum uprights included in the Spalding Slide Volleyball System. Padding does not include uprights. 6'H. Specify color.
Game Rules, Variations, and Additional Activity Ideas
How to Play Volleyball:
1. Team Size: Each team consists of 6 players on the court. If you have smaller classes, you can reduce team sizes to 4-5 players, or play with 3-on-3 to ensure everyone is involved.
2. Rotation: When a team wins a point and gains the serve, players rotate clockwise. This means the player in the front-right position moves to the back-right (serving) position.
3. Serving: The serve must be made from behind the back boundary line. - Underhand serves are typically easier for beginners, though students can also serve overhand if able. - If the serve hits the net and goes over, it is still a legal serve (let serve).
4. Gameplay Basics: Each team is allowed up to 3 touches to get the ball over the net (a bump, set, and spike are common hits). - Players should aim to prevent the ball from hitting the ground on their side. - The ball can be played off any part of the body, as long as it’s not caught or carried.
5. Scoring: Use rally scoring, where a point is awarded on every serve, regardless of which team served. - Games are typically played to 15 or 25 points, depending on class time. The winning team must lead by at least 2 points to win the game.
6. Boundaries: The ball is out of bounds if it hits the walls, ceiling, or lands outside the court's boundary lines. - If the ball lands on the boundary line, it is considered in play.
7. Net Violations: Players are not allowed to touch the net during play. Doing so results in a point for the opposing team. - Reaching over the net to hit the ball is only allowed when blocking or spiking, and players must avoid interfering with the opponent’s play.
8. Footwork: The server must not step on or over the back line while serving (foot fault). If they do, the other team gets the point.
9. Substitutions: Players can substitute in and out when necessary, especially if everyone needs a turn to play. Make sure everyone rotates through different positions.
10. Fair Play and Safety: Encourage fair play and teamwork. Players should communicate by calling for the ball ("Mine!") to avoid collisions. - Ensure players are not diving on hard surfaces and are maintaining safe distances from the net.
Gameplay Variations
1. Four-Square Volleyball: Divide the court into four quadrants, with players aiming to hit the ball into other players' squares. Players are eliminated if they can't return the ball.
2. Balloon Volleyball: Use a balloon instead of a volleyball to slow the game down and encourage more controlled hits. This is great for younger students.
3. Sitting Volleyball: Players must sit on the ground and hit the ball over a lower net. This variation helps players improve their upper body strength and control.
4. One-on-One Volleyball: Play with just two players on the court (one per side). This focuses on individual skills like serving and returning.
5. No-Hands Volleyball: Players can only use other parts of their bodies (e.g., feet, heads) to hit the ball, encouraging coordination and creative play.
Additional Activity Ideas:
1. Relay Races: Have students pass the ball over their heads in a line or zigzag to the end and back. Time the teams to add a competitive edge.
2. Target Practice: Set up cones or hoops and challenge players to serve or volley the ball into specific targets, improving their aim.
3. Keep-It-Up Drill: Groups of students stand in a circle and try to keep the ball in the air for as long as possible without letting it touch the ground.
4. Circle Passing: Students pass the ball in a large circle, practicing their setting and bumping skills while moving quickly.
5. Multi-Net Challenge: Set up multiple nets around the gym and create small games where teams must rotate between different courts after scoring a point.
6. Team Juggling: See how many times a team can juggle the ball between them using only volleyball skills (bumps, sets) without letting it touch the ground.
7. Wall Volleyball: Have students practice their bumping and setting skills by hitting the volleyball against a wall. They can work individually or in pairs, trying to keep the ball in play as long as possible.
8. Volleyball Tennis: Set up a lower net and have students play volleyball using tennis rules. The ball can bounce once before players hit it, allowing for longer rallies and easier ball control for beginners.
9. Keep It Up Challenge: In small groups or as a whole class, have students try to keep a volleyball in the air for as long as possible without letting it hit the ground. Track the highest number of consecutive hits.
10. King/Queen of the Court: Create mini-volleyball courts and have students play short matches (to 5 points). The winning team stays on the court, while the losing team rotates off and is replaced by another team.