Volleyball
Net & Wall Games | Years 5–6 | 6 Lessons
Volleyball Sessions
These tennis sessions progress from the previous unit of year 3/4, looking to keep improving our striking, sending, receiving, movement and team work skills, as well as being able to develop shot selection within small-sided games. Lessons are progressive and suitable for indoor or outdoor delivery.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Setting With Accuracy
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To develop accuracy and control when setting.
Success Criteria:
- I can use the correct technique when performing the set
- I can set the ball with control to a partner.
- I can improve my accuracy over time.
Key Words:
- Accuracy
- Set
Equipment:
- Volleyballs/large balls
- Bibs
- Cones
- Nets/benches
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – The set
Give each child a volleyball and ask them to find a space. They are going to practice the set technique.
If there aren’t enough balls to go around, ask the children to be in pairs, share a ball and attempt to set the ball to themselves 3 times before swapping over
Progressions:
Children to bounce the ball into the floor, before performing a set and then catching the ball
Children to perform the bounce, set and catch within a hula hoop. Can they stay in the hoop at all times
Skill Development
Messy bedrooms
Split the children into teams (ideally 4 and have 2 separate areas set up). The area is set up with a middle line (using a bench, set of cones or net). Have a set number of balls on each side, this is the mess they need to tidy from their area. The aim of the game is to perform a set, to send the ball into the opponent’s area. The team with the fewest number of balls when the time runs out are the winners.
Progressions:
Get the children to perform a bounce and set across the area
Catch to win
Same area set up as above however this time the rules change. If you catch the ball without the ball touching the floor, your team keeps the ball and it is placed on the floor in your area. The team with the highest number of balls in their area at the end, are the winners.
Game – 2v2 Volleyball
Set up small areas and have the children compete in a 2v2 game of volleyball. The rules are simple. When the ball travels over to your side, 1 player catches the ball and throws the ball up for their partner to perform a set pass over the net.
If the ball touches the floor on the opposite side, you are awarded a point
If you perform the set across and the ball lands outside of your opponent’s area, they are awarded a point.
Teaching Points:
- The set – Set your shoulders and feet to facing the target. Make a big diamond with your hands (look through it to see the ball coming to you). Contact the ball with spread fingers and push the ball up and out (creating a looped pass). Finish with your hands pointed towards the sky. The set pass is used to set up our partner for a strike across the net.
- When setting ourselves up for a set by bouncing the ball, we need to make sure that our bounce is accurate and stays close to us to allow us to perform the set.
- When performing the set across the net, we want our pass to be accurate. Can we find a free space on our opponent’s side to make it difficult for our opponents to catch the ball.
- If we need to perform the set and add power, bend our knees more and quicken our technique, which will increase the force in our pass, allowing it to travel further. Make sure the children know that by adding more power, we may lose some aim and the ball may land outside of the area.
Key Questions:
- How can we increase the power in our set pass?
- What may happen if we add too much power into our set pass?
- When would we typically use a set pass in a game of volleyball?
National curriculum links:
- Using running, striking, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop control and technique through playing volleyball
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Showing resilience in their work
- Developing confidence in trying new skills
Lesson 2: The Dig
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To perform a dig using correct body position.
- To develop consistency when receiving the ball.
Success Criteria:
- I can use a strong ready position.
- I can dig the ball using straight arms.
- I can direct the ball towards a target area.
Key Words:
- Dig
- Control
- Technique
Equipment:
- Volleyballs/large balls
- Cones
- Bibs
- Nets/benches
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Germs & Medicine
Pick 2-3 taggers (germs) and the same number of releasers (medicine). Medicines have a volleyball (or any type of ball). When tagged, get the children to stand still. To get back into the game, they must catch a ball from a medicine. When they do, they become a medicine and have to release someone else who has been tagged
Skill Development
The dig practice
Split the class in half. One half of the class have a ball each and will stand 2-3m apart from one another in a line. The other half will all line up opposite a partner around 4-5m away. Each player will perform a dig pass, before shuffling down 1 place to the next player with the ball until they reach the end of the line. When they reach the end, they will then run to the opposite end to start again.
After a few minutes, get the class to swap roles.
Dig, set catch
The activity is the same as above however this time, the player starting with the ball will again throw the ball high to the second player, who will perform a dig pass to the third, who will perform a set back to the first player. Allow for each team to perform the skills 3 times before they swap roles.
Game – 3v3 Game
Get the children into groups of 3 performing a simple game of volleyball against another team. The ball cannot bounce on the opposite side of the court but the children can catch the ball to stop it from touching the floor as the ball travels across the net. They can also catch the ball and set themselves for a set shot or dig.
The team then has to perform a dig and set back across the net to the other team.
Teams are awarded a point if the ball touches the floor inside their opponent’s area
The opponent scores a point if the ball bounces outside their area
Progression:
The team’s can catch the ball when it travels across the net but then cannot catch the ball again whilst the ball is on their side
Teaching Points:
- The dig pass – Feet shoulder width apart, hold both hands together with thumbs together pointing forward. Lock elbows together with straight arms and strike the ball using the lower forearm. Slightly bend the knees and drive the legs through and follow through by pointing the hands in the direction you want the ball to travel. The ball should travel high and loop to our partner.
- The dig is performed when the ball travels across the net from the opposition and is used to ‘dig’ the ball to a team mate, who can then perform a set for someone to strike the ball back across the court.
- When performing the dig, it is important that your partner is able to set up the shot for you. The player with the ball should perform an underarm, looping pass to give the children time to react and get into position, before performing the dig. We want the dig pass to be used with good technique and control, ensuring that we are accurate with our direction and power.
- When performing in the 3v3 game, communication is key. We do not want more than one player trying to catch the same ball that travels across the net. Naming the ball by calling your name, will allow your partner/s to know that you are going to catch the ball/perform a dig.
Key Questions:
- When do we perform a dig pass in volleyball?
- When performing a dig, how should the ball travel to our partner and why?
- How can we ensure that our dig is accurate?
National Curriculum Links:
- Using running, striking, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Developing control and technique through playing volleyball
Social/environmental skills:
- Develop team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Showing resilience in their work
Lesson 3: Attacking Play
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To understand how teams create attacking opportunities.
- To begin using simple attacking tactics.
Success Criteria:
- I can send the ball into space.
- I can work with a partner to create attacking chances.
- I can make decisions about where to send the ball.
Key Words:
- Attacking
- Tactics
- Team work
Equipment:
- Volleyballs/large balls
- Cones
- Nets if available or benches
- Hoops
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Digging for Gold
Split the class into teams of around 5 and have them lined up one behind the other, behind a cone per group. Each group will be given a small ball to start with. Scatter cones and hoops around the area in front of the groups (we want plenty set out). The aim of the game is for the groups to perform an underarm serve, to strike the ball towards the cones. The ball must hit the cone or bounce in the hoop first time, for the teams to take that cone/hoop.
If the ball bounces on the floor and then hits a cone or bounces in a hoop, this does not count and the teams must not take any equipment.
The team with the highest number of equipment when all of the equipment is taken, are the winners
Progression:
>Swap the small ball for a volleyball
>Spread the equipment out more to leave more free space between each piece. This will mean the children will need to be more accurate in their serve
Skill Development
Volleyball battleships
Set up a volleyball court using either a net, bench or middle line of cones as the separation. In their areas, the children are going to scatter hoops. They can place their hoops in any part of their area. Teams will take it in turns to set and spike the ball into the opposition area, hoping to land their ball inside one of the hoops. If the ball lands inside the hoop on the first bounce, they have sunk that battleship and that hoop is removed from the game.
The first team to sink all of the opposition’s battleships are the winners
Game – 4v4
Set the children into teams of 4 and set up a volleyball court for them to play in. Use a net, bench or cones to use as middle lines. The teams will play against one another in a game of volleyball. You can simplify the rules for the game to make it easier for the children:
>The ball is allowed to bounce once on your side before you send the ball over to the opponent’s side
>The children can catch the ball when the ball first travels over to their side. After that, they need to perform at least 2 passes on their side before sending it back over the net. These include a dig, set and spike.
Progression:
>The children cannot catch the ball when it comes over to their side
>The ball cannot bounce on the floor but they can catch the ball when it first travels over the net
Teaching Points:
- For the serve and spike techniques, see the year 3-4 plans for volleyball. It is important that the children remember and understand these techniques before starting the activities.
- We are looking for good accuracy in the activities today. We want the children to make sure their arm is pointed out in the direction we want the ball to travel to ensure our aim is good, and we want to make sure that the amount of power we are striking the ball with is correct. If we need to increase the power, the children need to swing through the ball at a greater speed.
- In the 4v4 game, the children will need to be set up with 2 at the front, near to the net, with 2 behind them at the back of the court. Imagine the court is split into 4 sections and you are responsible for the ball when it enters your part of the area. Can the groups then work together to perform 2 types of passes, before sending the ball back into the opponent’s area.
Key Questions:
- When performing a spike over to the opponent’s area, what do we need to remember that our pass is?
- Why do we need to make sure that our pass is struck with accuracy?
- How do we ensure that our pass is accurate?
- Where should we be aiming in our opponent’s area?
National curriculum links:
- Using running, striking, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Developing control and technique through playing volleyball
- Compare their performance against a previous attempt, and look for improvements to their work
- Play competitive games against others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Developing resilience when looking to improve in the session
- Showing creativity in their work
Lesson 4: Defending Play
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To understand basic defensive positioning.
- To develop communication when defending.
Success Criteria:
- I can move into a good defensive position.
- I can communicate with teammates.
- I can attempt to return the ball to keep play going.
Key Words:
- Defensive positioning
- Reactions
- Communication
Equipment:
- Volleyballs/large balls
- Cones
- Bibs
- Nets if available or benches
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Dig, Catch, Dig
Split the class into groups of 6, with each group standing in a zig zag line with a hoop or bucket at the end of the line. The ball starts at one end of the zig zagged line and each player will perform a dig to the next person in the line. That person will catch the ball and throw to the next player who performs a dig to the next player who catches. When the ball reaches the final person in the line, they must perform a dig and get the ball to land either in the hoop or the bucket. If the ball bounces at any point, the team must start again.
Progression:
>Get the group spread out further apart from one another to make it more difficult for the group
>Everyone to perform a dig. No catches
Skill Development
Keep up
Set up an area for each team to play in. Make the areas quite large if possible. Split the groups into 6-8 per group with each player receiving a number. The game begins with number 1 having the balloon. They strike the balloon up into the air and number 2 must then keep up the balloon by striking it, then number 3 and so on.
The balloon must stay up and each player can only strike the ball once. If the team step out of the area to keep up the balloon, the balloon is out of bounds and the team must start again. Get teams to keep their score for number of strikes in a row
Progression:
>Start each team at the same time and see which team can keep up the balloon for the longest time
>Replace the balloon with a volleyball and get the children to use a dig to keep the ball up. They don’t need numbers for this game, it is just the nearest player keeps the ball up. Again, how many times can they keep the volleyball up in a row. If they are struggling, you can get them to use a dig, catch, dig as they did in the warm up
>Again, when using the volleyball, get the teams to start at the same time and see which team can keep the ball up for the longest time.
Game – Last Team Standing
Set up a volleyball court with a middle line, net or bench. Have 2 teams of 5 set up on either side, one behind the other at the back of their side of the court. One person from each team will come out at one time to strike the ball back over to the opponent’s side. You can only begin to move into your area once your team mate in front has struck the ball over.
One side will be the attacking team and the other will be the defending team. The attacking team will use a set to push the ball over the net, whilst the defending team will use a dig to strike the ball over. Swap the roles over after 5 turns. If the ball bounces on your opponent’s side, your team is awarded the point. However, if the ball bounces outside their area, they are awarded the point.
Teaching Points:
- When playing dig, catch, dig, we want to see good accuracy when performing the dig. We want the children to give their team mates a good chance of completing a dig to the next person. If our strike isn’t accurate, our team mate might struggle to keep the ball up to the next person. Remember, when performing the dig, we want the ball to travel high and loop to our partner, giving them time to react to where the ball is going.
- In the keep up game, we want to see good communication between the group, calling their name to strike the ball if it is their turn. If they hear someone call for the balloon/ball, that should mean they leave the balloon/ball for that person. We also want to see good reactions to where the balloon/ball is travelling. Slightly bending our knees, moving our feet quickly and being ready to react quickly to where the balloon/ball is moving
- In the last team standing game, again we want the next player in the queue to be ready to react to where the ball is travelling. Can they perform the set and dig with good accuracy and technique to get the ball over to the other side, in space so that the ball bounces and their team wins the point.
Key Questions:
- What do we mean by the term reactions?
- How can we ensure we can react and move quickly to get to the ball before it bounces?
- How can we help our team mates when performing a dig, to ensure they either catch the ball or can perform another pass?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, striking, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop control and technique through playing volleyball
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Improving their reactions and decision making
Lesson 5: Volleyball Games
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To apply volleyball skills in modified games.
- To work cooperatively within a team.
Success Criteria:
- I can apply basic volleyball skills in games.
- I can work well as part of a team.
- I can attempt both attacking and defending.
Key Words:
- Rules
- Teamwork
- Decision
Equipment:
- Cones
- Volleyballs/large balls
- Bibs
- Nets if available or benches
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Set Race
Get the children into groups of 4-6. Within each group, split them into pairs standing facing one another. Have a race set up with the start and turning point being around 10-15m apart. One pair at a time in their group, will perform sets to each other whilst racing against other groups. They must race up to the top of the area and back, constantly performing a set.
If the ball drops, they must perform 2 digs to each other before continuing the race. Once back, they swap with the next pair until all have had a turn. First team back are the winners.
Game – Volleyball Pyramid
Set up enough courts so that all teams are constantly playing e.g. if you have a class of 24, have 3 volleyball courts set up with a 4v4 game in each area. We will have 3 court names
The world cup court The champions league court The premier league court
You can be creative with the names, allowing the class to come up with suggestions. If your team wins, you move up a court. If you lose, you move down the court. We will play first team to 7 points are the winners. Rules for the game:
You can catch the ball once on your side.
The ball cannot bounce on your side.
Your team must perform a minimum 3 passes (including a spike shot to the other side)
Teaching Points:
- We want to see the children work as a team in their group. When in their team of 4, we want to see them each take and be responsible for an area in their court. We then want to see them working together to set each other and strike the ball back across to the opposition team.
- We want to ensure they are using good technique with all of their strikes including the dig, set and spike.
- Can they react quickly, staying low to react quickly and use good communication by calling their name for the ball when the ball is on their side of the court.
- Reiterate the rules throughout the session so that they children can be reminded of them and remember them when playing
Key Questions:
- How can we work as a team to win the game?
- Why is communication important when playing volleyball?
- Can we name a rule in volleyball?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, striking, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Play competitive games against others, applying basic principles for both attacking and defending
- Develop control and technique through playing volleyball
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Showing good sportsmanship when playing against others
- Showing creativity in their work
- Showing good leadership skills
Lesson 6: Volleyball Comp
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To apply skills, rules, and tactics in competitive volleyball games.
Success Criteria:
- I can use skills taught in previous weeks within games.
- I can follow rules independently.
- I can work positively with my team.
Key Words:
- Compete
- Respect
Equipment:
- Volleyball/large balls
- Cones
- Nets if available or benches
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – The Floor Is Lava
Get the children into groups of 6. Set them up in an area and ask the children to be stood spread around the area. The idea of the game is to keep up the volleyball, using the set and spike shots. How long can the children keep up the ball for without the ball dropping to the floor. They are allowed to catch the ball twice as a group however, the third catch counts as the ball hitting the floor and they must begin again
Skill Development
Volleyball game practice
Keep the children in the same groups of 6 within the area they have been working in. Set out a middle set of cones. We are going to compete in a small sided and court version of volleyball. For this being the first time playing in a game, we are going to adapt some of the rules:
>You can catch the ball before producing a set for someone on your team. You cannot catch the ball and spike the ball over, but you can set a team mate to.
>The ball is allowed to bounce once on your side of the court. More than one bounce counts as a point for the other team
Get the children to compete in a game, one point awarded each time the ball bounces twice
You can adapt the game to remove the bounce if you feel the game is becoming too easy for the children
Game – Volleyball Comp
The game works the same as above, however this time, we want the game to be on a larger scale. Split the class into teams of 5-6 per group playing on a larger court.
You will most likely end up with 4-5 teams, so play 2 teams on and 2 teams off, switching who they play each time. Rules will remain the same as above and can be adapted throughout.
Playing with 6 teams
| Court 1 | Court 2 | Court 3 |
| 1 v 2 | 3 v 4 | 5 v 6 |
| 1v 3 | 2 v 5 | 4 v 6 |
| 1 v 4 | 2 v 6 | 3 v 5 |
| 1 v 5 | 2 v 4 | 3 v 6 |
| 1 v 6 | 2 v 3 | 4 v 5 |
Playing with 4 teams
| Court 1 | Court 2 |
| 1 v 2 | 3 v 4 |
| 1 v 3 | 2 v 4 |
| 1 v 4 | 2 v 3 |
Teaching Points:
- When playing in the games, we need the children to have good communication with each other. This will especially apply when the ball falls in between two players. We want to see the children clearly ‘labelling’ the ball by shouting their name. This will tell all other players that they are taking control of the ball.
- We want to see the children working together as a group. Can they position themselves and give themselves roles within the game, for both attacking and defending and stick to those positions throughout the game.
- We want to see the children understanding and following the rules of the game. Reiterate the rules throughout the session to try to get them to stick in the children’s minds.
- If we see any disputes from teams in games, reiterate the need for good sportsmanship and respect between groups. You can also go through the incident with the groups to determine what the outcome is
Key Questions:
- What do we mean by the term respect?
- How can we show good communication with others?
- Why is communication key when playing volleyball?
- How were we able to decide which players played in each position for both attacking and defending?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, striking, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Play competitive games against others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
- Developing control and technique through playing volleyball
Social/environmental skills:
- Showing good sportsmanship to others
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing good communication skills
- Showing creativity in their work by coming up with tactics
- Showing and developing leadership skills
- Showing resilience in their work by looking for improvements
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