Lesson 3 - Volleyball and Setting Techniques
Volleyball Foundations & Skills
•Year 5
•Volleyball
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How can we use the volley/set technique to control the ball and create opportunities for our team?
Learning Objectives
- To develop and apply the volley/set technique with increasing control and accuracy
- To understand how setting creates tactical opportunities in volleyball
- To demonstrate teamwork and communication during volleying activities
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the volley technique with improved hand positioning and ball control
- Students will successfully use the set shot to create opportunities for teammates
- Students will apply volleying skills in game situations with increasing consistency
Equipment & Resources Required
Set at appropriate height for Year 5 (approximately 2.1m)
Alternative: Badminton nets, rope between posts, or marked lines on wall
Properly inflated for good bounce and control
Alternative: Beach balls for beginners, foam balls for indoor use
Mark court boundaries and queue positions clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines, masking tape for indoor courts
For easy team identification during activities
Alternative: Coloured cones to identify teams
Key Vocabulary
A two-handed pass played above the head using fingertips to control and direct the ball
A specific type of volley used to position the ball for a teammate to attack
The hand position where index fingers and thumbs form a triangle shape for volleying
Athletic stance with knees bent, weight on balls of feet, ready to move quickly
The action of bending elbows to absorb the ball's impact before pushing it away
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and catching skills
- Understanding of ready position and movement
- Experience with underarm serving
Current Skills
- Volley/set technique with triangle hand position
- Movement to ball and positioning
- Setting for teammates and tactical awareness
Next Steps
- Advanced volleying under pressure
- Spike and attack shots
- Complex team strategies and formations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Triangle hand position is fundamental to all volleying success
- Moving feet to get under the ball is more important than reaching with arms
- Cushion and push motion creates control and accuracy
- Setting creates tactical opportunities and requires team communication
- Quality of technique matters more than speed or power
- Teamwork and encouragement improve everyone's performance
- Practice and persistence lead to improvement in volleying skills
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking volleying is about hitting the ball hard rather than controlling it softly
- Believing you can reach for any ball instead of moving feet to position
- Assuming setting is just another volley rather than a tactical team skill
- Expecting immediate success without understanding the complexity of hand-eye coordination
- Focusing only on individual success rather than team achievement in volleyball
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear movement boundaries, regular position changes, immediate feedback on success
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, reduced complexity in early stages, extra practice time for hand positioning, step-by-step technique breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet practice area available, consistent partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal descriptions of hand position, buddy system for court awareness, textured balls if available
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, hand signals for instructions, written key points on display board
physical disability
- Seated volleying variations, modified net heights, larger/softer balls, adapted triangle hand position as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting rallies and scoring, angles of ball trajectory, measuring court dimensions and distances
Science
Forces in volleyball - gravity, air resistance, trajectory physics, muscle groups used in volleying
Geography
Spatial awareness and court positioning, directions and movement patterns across the court
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, communication skills, resilience when techniques don't work initially
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position at corner of courts for visibility of multiple groups, rotate between stations during practice
Observation Focus
Triangle hand formation, foot movement to ball, team communication and setting attempts
Intervention Points
Step in when technique breaking down, students not moving to ball, or safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Use slow-motion demonstrations for triangle hand position, emphasise the 'window' created by hands, show common errors first then correct technique
Verbal Cues
- •'Triangle hands!'
- •'Quick feet to the ball!'
- •'Soft touch with fingertips!'
- •'Set high for your teammate!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 25m for 6 volleyball courts, clear of obstacles with adequate run-off space
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for jumping and quick movement
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Nets properly secured and at appropriate height
- •Balls inflated correctly for good bounce control
- •Court boundaries clearly marked to prevent collisions
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to face or head
- •Collisions between students during movement
- •Overreaching causing falls or strains
- •Net contact during enthusiastic play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established between courts
- •Emphasis on controlled movements and proper technique
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Adequate spacing between students during all activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all court areas
- •Monitor for fatigue affecting technique and safety
- •Watch for proper net clearance during volleys
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are moved to safe area