🏐

Lesson 3 - Volleyball and Setting Techniques

Volleyball Foundations & Skills

•

Year 5

•

Volleyball

•

Big Question

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

Volleyballs

6 (adjustable height)

Set at appropriate height for Year 5 (approximately 2.1m)

Alternative: Badminton nets, rope between posts, or marked lines on wall

Balls

15 (size 4 or volleyball size)

Properly inflated for good bounce and control

Alternative: Beach balls for beginners, foam balls for indoor use

Markers Cones

Mark court boundaries and queue positions clearly

Alternative: Chalk lines, masking tape for indoor courts

Bibs

15 (different colours)

For easy team identification during activities

Alternative: Coloured cones to identify teams

Key Vocabulary

Volley

A two-handed pass played above the head using fingertips to control and direct the ball

Set

A specific type of volley used to position the ball for a teammate to attack

Triangle

The hand position where index fingers and thumbs form a triangle shape for volleying

Ready Position

Athletic stance with knees bent, weight on balls of feet, ready to move quickly

Cushion

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

Consistent hand triangle formation

Smooth weight transfer during volley

Accurate ball placement to teammates

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