Rules, Regulations and Terminology
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.
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 ...
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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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
For the case above where the student’s weakness is the dig, a method to check for improvement
