The Game of Volleyball
Objective of the game

The object of the game is for each team to send the ball regularly
over the net to ground it on the opponent's court, and to prevent the
ball from being grounded on its own court.

Basic Outline of play:

The ball is put into play by the right back-row player who serves the
ball by hitting it over the net to the opponent's court. A team is
allowed to hit the ball three times (in addition to the block contact)
to return it to the opponent's court. A player is not allowed to hit
the ball twice consecutively, except when attempting a block. The
rally continues until the ball touches the ground/floor, goes "out" or
a team fails to return it to the opponent's court or commits a fault.

Scoring Systems:

In volleyball, there are two primary scoring systems which may be
followed when playing:

Rally Point Scoring:

The team winning a rally scores a point (Rally Point System). 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 of three or best of five games will win the match. Each game
is won by the team that first scores 25 points with a minimum
two-point advantage (no scoring cap). If there is a deciding game,
that game will be won by the team that first scores 15 points with a
minimum two-point advantage (no scoring cap).

Side out Scoring:

Only the serving team may score a point, except in the deciding game
when rally-point scoring system is used. When the receiving team wins
a rally, it gains the right to serve (but not a point) 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.



The Basic Rules and Regulations of Volleyball:
==============================================


The Serve
---------

( A ) Server must serve from behind the restraining line (end
line)(refer to court diagram) until after contact.

( B ) Ball may be served underhand or overhand.

( C ) Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.

( D ) Served ball must clear the net without touching the net. Failure
results in a side out.

( E ) First game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game
shall be served by the previous game loser.

( F ) Serve must be returned by a bump (dig) only. No setting or
attacking a serve.


Rotation
--------

( A ) Team will rotate each time they win the serve.

( B ) Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.

( C ) There shall be 4-6 players on each side.


Playing the Game (Volley)
-------------------------

( A ) Maximum of three hits per side.

( B ) Player may not hit the ball twice in succession ( A block is not
considered a hit ).

( C ) Ball may be played off the net except on serve.

( D ) A ball touching a boundary line is good.

( E ) A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and
including the waist which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a
rest.

( F ) If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is
considered one play and the players involved may not participate in
the next play.

( G ) A player must not block or attack a serve.

( H ) Switching positions will be allowed only between front line
players. (After the serve only).


Basic Violations
----------------

( A ) Stepping on or over the line on a serve.

( B ) Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.

( C ) Hitting the ball illegally (Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc.).

( D ) Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is
in play. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it
causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called,
and the ball shall continue to be in play.

( E ) Reaching over the net, except under these conditions:

1 - When executing a follow-through.

2 - When blocking a ball which is in the opponents court but is being
returned (the blocker must not contact the ball until after the
opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact). Except
to block the third play.

( F ) Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or
opposing player).

( G ) Failure to serve in the correct order.

( H ) Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the
10-foot line (refer to court diagram) while in a back row position.


The Court
---------

Playing Area

Both indoor and outdoor courts are 18 m x 9mi (29'6" x 59').
Indoor courts also include an attack area designated by
a line 3 m (9'10") back from the center line.

Lines on the court are 5cm (2" wide).

Net Height

Net height for men, co-ed mixed 6, & outdoor is 2.43 meters or
7'11-5/8".
Net height for women, 7'4-1/8".

The height of the net shall be 8'.

Ball
The ball weighs between 9 and 10 ounces. Ball pressure is between 4.5
and 6.0 pounds


Observation and Analysis

For an analysis of the volleyball sport, we observed a 2 minute clip
of a volleyball game between the red and green team. The 2 minute
period revolved around the service of a player from the red team (6
serves were successfully executed before the opposition went for the
kill which resulted in a side out). I observed each serve and detailed
the plays of each team (red and green) for that particular serve.

Play 1:

Red Team:

The player performed an underarm service within the obligatory service
area (refer to court diagram). She (the server) stood, in compliance
with the appropriate method of underarm service, facing the net with
the feet opposite and the hitting hand forward. The ball, prior to
serve, was held correctly at waist level. The arm was driven forward
relatively smoothly and the ball (in the other hand) was dropped just
before contact. The ball was hit with a clenched fist and successfully
made it over the net. Their was brief evidence of a follow through to
the serve; however this should be more continuous and natural.

Green Team:

The team had a W service-receiving formation. The ball was positioned
amongst the attack line, around midpoint between player 6 and 3 (refer
to player positioning diagram). There was no response from neither
back row nor front row players and none of the players came into
contact with the ball. Their was a reluctance amongst players to move
into positions for receiving. Their reluctance in movement was partly
due to the lack of communication amongst the players as to who would
go for the ball; each player relying on the other.

Conclusively, the ball was grounded and the red teamed gained an ace
point.

Play 2:

Red Team:

The underarm serve was again accurately and efficiently conducted,
travelling over the net with height and precision; however the speed
was slow which is expected from the simple ethics of the under arm
serve in comparison to serves such as the overhand and jump serve
which expel the ball at more intense speeds.

Green Team:

Similar to play 2, there was fumbling amongst the players to receive
the somewhat sky ball serve. There was lack of communication to call
the ball which again was grounded (with no contact) – this time more
deep towards back row player’s 5 and 6 – resulting in another ace
point for the reds. The sky ball serve may have lead to this fumbling
and confusion as the height of the serve often left players misjudging
distances and proportions.

Play 3:

Red Team:

The player performed a successful serve within the service area which
went over the net. Her technique of serving reached similar standards
to her previous serves which demonstrates consistency in performance.

Green Team:

Despite a brief ecstasy of fumbling, the players were more active in
their receiving; however communication still suffered which may have
caused this brief confusion. An average dig was performed by player 1
which successfully made in over the net and into the opponents half.
However this play was a failure as it gave the opponents the advantage
by offering an easy ball for the opponents to go for the kill. The
dig, known as the ‘pass’ when receiving a serve, is intended for the
transition from defence to offence for the receivers and then return
of serve. In this play the ball was set straight over, not assisted
and therefore encouraged the red team for an attack attempt.

In the dig performed by player 1, opposing the correct method, the
elbows were bent with too much arm swing when approaching the ball.
This would result in a more powerful dig which is why the ball may
have gone directly over as a free ball.

Red Team:

The easy ball should have made an attack attempt indispensable;
however this was not the case.

Player 3 (the middle blocker) attempted a solo block; though the ball
was placed high by the opponents dig and therefore chances for success
were low (blocks are generally used to block spikes and successful
when secondary and tertiary blockers assist in a multiple block).
Nevertheless the technique of the block was poor with little effort
given into the jump and its timing and only one hand used in the
attempt. The arms were also not fully extended across the net.

Succeeding the failed block, player 1 performed a proficient volley
where the fingers were spread and positioned above the head as the
ball approached. The hands were correctly close, but not touching,
forming a triangle with thumbs and pointer fingers. The elbows and
knees were bent and upon contact with the ball, arms and legs were
efficiently extended to propel the ball forward. The fingertips, not
palms, of the hand were used in the propulsion of the ball. The play
may have also been an overset.

The volley went over the net with no sets for an attacking attempt.
This would have left the red team vulnerable to a spike for the
opposition as free ball was delivered to them.

Green Team:

Due to lack of movement and correct positioning, the easy ball easy
was grounded, awarding another point to the red team.

Whole play in brief:

The play involved simple rallies, with one touch per side, with no
strategic placements and attempts to spike nor any aggressive play.

Play 4:

Red Team:

The underarm service was correctly conducted and the ball went over
the net to the opponents half.

Green Team:

The ball went deep and was dug by player 1 at the back row. The
uncontrolled dig went outside court boundaries within the green team’s
half. The player was not in an established position for correctly
performing the dig. His knees were bent correctly however is arms were
not straight upon receiving. The reason why the ball was uncontrolled
and went out was because the player may have not kept his eye on the
ball and may have propelled it from his cupped hands rather than his
forearms. The ball went out of play and point was again awarded to the
red team.

Play 5:

Red Team:

The serve was again made over the net with relatively the correct
technique and precision, demonstrating the player’s consistency.

Green Team:

The ball went shallow to around player 2, who performed an average
set, with legs and elbows bent upon receiving and extended efficiently
for a high propulsion of the ball, to player 3. Player 3 volleyed it
back to player 2 for an assist. The player, I felt, was not alert
upon receiving, where there was no attack attempt on the 3rd touch,
but instead a volley which went straight up in the air and did not
cross the net. As the ball came down, it was received by the same
player resulting in a violated 4 touches by the team and a double-hit
by player 2 (touched twice by the same player in succession). Due to
the violation, a point was awarded to the red team.

Play 6:

Red Team:

Player 1 performed an efficient service crossed the net and was within
the service area, meeting the same standards previously demonstrated.

Green Team:

Player 4 received the service and performed a good, efficient set,
with elbows and knees bent upon receiving and extension upon
propulsion of ball and formation of a triangle with thumbs and pointer
fingers as hands on top of head. This however was a violation of the
rule, unrecognised by the referee, which states ‘a serve must be
returned by a bump (dig) only. No setting or attacking a serve’.
Nevertheless the violation was missed and play continued. The set was
assisted to player 3 who dumped the ball in the opponents have. There
was no evidence of an attack attempt by player 3 (no smash) and the
ball went over with only 2 touches from the green side.

Red Team:

Front row players passed the ball, consuming all 3 sanctioned touches.
The 3rd touch however was a attempted bump, however was a carry where
the palm of the hands slapped against the ball resulting in a
violation (carrying is an illegal hit) which resulted in side out,
rotation and service of the green team.

This final play concluded the 2 minute observation of a volleyball
game.

General comments on Observation:

The plays which were observed were very simple, with no aggressive
tactics or smashes. The rallies were very simple, lasting around a
minute, with often just one touch before the ball went to the
opponents half (limited passes, no sets made amongst player). Many
plays were ace points for the red team, largely due to the lack of
communication, movement and confidence amongst players. Though some
hits displayed appropriate technique, many were also inadequately
performed.

Evaluation and Recognition of Strengths and Weaknesses

Upon the observation and analysis of the game, I recognised a strength
and weakness amongst the teams (red and green).

Strength: Volley/Set

Through analysis of the game, I observed that the red team (particular
player 1) performed proficient volleys (also known as overhand pass)
closely obeying the perfect model.

The perfect model states that the player must be in the ready
position, prior to contact with ball, with the feet a comfortable
distance apart, usually shoulder-width, and stride of each other (or
one in front, one in back). The head should be up, constantly looking
at the ball. The knees and elbows should be bent and hands are raised
about a half a foot up and away from your forehead. The hands should
turn outward so that your thumbs and pointy finger form a diamond.
Shoulders are perpendicular to the target.

[IMAGE]

Displaying stance for volley prior to contact with ball. Notice bent
arms and legs and leg stance


Once the ball has made contact with the hands, the hands should form
around the shape of the ball in such a way that only the thumb and top
two joints of the fingers make contact with the ball.

Attempt to contact the ball with the fingers and thumbs at the same
time. The palm of the hand should never touch the ball. Contact should
ideally be made at the lower back portion of the ball. The elbow
should remain out.

[IMAGE]

Stance for volley prior at contact with ball (according to perfect
model)


To propel the ball, extend the arms and legs, thrusting ones weight
towards the intended direction of the pass. Once the ball leaves the
hands, point the hands toward the intended target.

[IMAGE]

Stance after volley has been performed (follow through) and ball has
been propelled


The player performed the volley in compliance with the perfect model
stated for stances prior, at and after contact with ball. The player
hand’s, according to the perfect model, were correctly close, but not
touching, forming a triangle with thumbs and pointer fingers. The
elbows and knees were bent and upon contact with the ball, and arms
and legs were efficiently extended to propel the ball forward. The
fingertips, not palms, of the hand were correctly used in the
propulsion of the ball.

However there was a slight error in the stance after contact,
disobeying the perfect model, as the hands did not point to the
intended target.

Weakness: Dig

Through the observation and analysis of the game, I noticed the
performance of some poor digs from the green team - particularly
player 1 at the back row who performed an uncontrolled dig which went
out of the bounds of play. His technique was not in compliance with
the perfect model which was the reason why the ball went out of play
and cost the team a point.

Disobeying the perfect model, which states a player must set his/her
position before performing the dig, the player was not in an
established position as he was not strained but more casual in the dig
and was not completely stationary.

Similar to the perfect model the player’s knees were bent prior to
contact with ball.

However the perfect model states that the arms should be extended
straight out from the body so that they are parallel with your thighs.
The player, however, bent his arm upon receiving the ball.

Instead of lunging forward, the player bent his back to receive and
may not have kept focussed on the ball which is why it may have gone
out. Opposing the player stance, the perfect model states that the
back should be straight and one should be relaxed and keep his/her eye
on the ball.

Complying with the perfect model, the player’s hands were joined
together with the thumbs parallel to each other (hands cupped).

fig1

Stance of dig prior to contact (according to perfect model. Notice
bent legs, straight extended knees and the straight back.

NB: if player has to perform a dig where the ball is lower, then the
legs should lunge forward (instead of back bending down).


Upon receiving the ball the player’s leg remain bent and the arms
showed very little swing movement

The perfect model states that upon contact with the ball legs must
extend slightly, and arms move in a slight forward and upward "poking"
motion, trying to use the legs to propel the ball and not the arms.

The ball may have gone out because the player may have failed to watch
the ball come in contact with the arm, as the perfect model states
that the most important thing for an accurate, controlled dig is to
watch the ball make contact with your arms.

The player, opposing the perfect model which states that a player must
contact the ball with his forearm, contacted the ball with his cupped
hand.

Since their was minimal arm swing, there was very little evidence of a
follow thorough, violating the perfect model which states after the
hit the hands should stay cupped together and the arms follow the ball
towards the target of your dig.

fig2

Stance after dig has been performed and the ball expelled. Notice the
extension of the legs


Practices and Training to Improve Performance

The weakness I observed amongst player on the green team was digging.
Outlined below are practices (ranging from beginner to advanced
methods) which are specifically designed to improve a players dig to
match the criteria of the perfect model.

Drills for the dig:

Performed with one ball amongst two players

Beginner Practice

- One player feeds the ball to his partner, who digs it back. Change
places after 10-15 feeds. The feeder now becomes the digger and vice
versa.

Advancing Practice

- As above, but the feeder pitches the ball shorter forcing the
receiver to now come forwards to dig the ball. He then moves back to
his original position, and the drill is repeated. Similarly change
places after 10-15 feeds.

Performed with one ball per player

Beginner Practice

- The player digs the ball repeatedly overhead, keeping the ball under
control. Use knee extension (squats), not arm swing, to control the
ball.

Advancing Practice

- As above, but the height of dig is altered: high and low.

Advanced Drill: Dig 2 and Pursue

[IMAGE]

Coach hits to the left of 1 who digs and immediately after hitting to
the left of 1 the coach tosses and hits to the right of 1 who also
digs this one, just after hitting the second down ball the coach tips
a soft shot that 1 must run through and dig.

Go for a set number of repetitions (ex: 5), a successful rep. is when
they player gets both digs and a playable up on the run through.

Challenge the player as they become successful

Variation: Coach can punch a high/deep ball to simulate a "shank" on
the third ball for the digger to pursue (and get a touch)

C = Couch

This drill not only emphasises on the improvement of the technique of
the dig, but also the control of the ball. It is an advanced practice
as it replicates the situation players may face in a real game where
the ball will not go directly to you, but may fall short or come at an
angle to you where performing an accurate dig will be more difficult.

Drill for Ball control: 3 person pepper: centre digger

The green player’s control of the dig was poor, which resulted in the
ball going out of bounds in play 4.

The following simple drill is designed to improve ball control.

[IMAGE]

1 Ball

Drill:

1 sets to 2 who hits to 3.

3 dig to 2 who sets to 1 who hits to 3, 3 digs to 1

Continuous.

Monitoring Progress and Development of Different Coaching Strategies
for Improvement

As a coach it is vital to monitor the progress of individual students
and efficiently determine whether the training and practices being
performed are improving their performance.