Serving and a class game

1Why this matters

Every rally starts with a serve, and a serve that goes out or into the net gives the other team a point without a fight. In sitting volleyball the net is low and the serve may be blocked, so the server must get the ball over safely and still make it hard to receive. This lesson teaches a reliable serve and then puts all your skills together in a class game.

2The serving rules

• The player in position 1, at the right of the back row, serves.
• The server sits behind the end line, anywhere between the imaginary extensions of the side lines, and serves after the referee's whistle.
• The ball is tossed or released and then hit with one hand or arm.
• A serve that touches the net but still goes over into the opponents' court is legal.
• Front-row players may block the serve in sitting volleyball.
• A point is scored on every rally. The team that wins the point serves next. When a team wins back the serve, its players rotate one place clockwise, so a new player moves into position 1 to serve.

3The overarm serve, step by step

1. Sit behind the end line, facing the net, with your hitting shoulder slightly back.
2. Hold the ball on your non-hitting hand, in front of your hitting shoulder, at about head height.
3. Draw back your hitting arm, elbow high, like drawing a bow.
4. Toss the ball a short way up, or for a beginner simply release it.
5. Hit the middle of the back of the ball with the heel of a firm, open hand.
6. Follow through towards your target.

A serve hit firmly through the middle, with no spin, is called a float: it wobbles in the air and is hard to pass. For beginners, a class adaptation is to serve from 2 m or 3 m inside the court and move back to the end line as you succeed.

4Serving tactics

• First, get it in. A steady serve is better than a hard one that often misses.
• Aim deep, near the end line, and into the gaps between receivers.
• Serve at the weakest receiver.
• Keep it clear of the blockers. Because the serve may be blocked, a low serve straight at the front row is easy to stop.

Worked example

Uwase's serve clips the top of the net, then drops into the opponents' court, and nobody touches it.

Decision. The serve is legal, and the ball landed in, so Uwase's team wins the point and she serves again.

5The session (about 40 minutes)

Warm-up, seated (7 minutes). Shoulder and wrist mobility, trunk twists and shuffle races. Then pass and set in pairs for 2 minutes.

Serving drills (12 minutes).

• Partner serves. Sit 4 m from a partner and serve to her hands. Move back as your serves become accurate.
• Target serving. Put two towels or bags in the far court, one deep in each corner. Serve from behind the end line (or from your adapted spot). One point for landing on or next to a target.

Class game (17 minutes).

• Mark a 10 m by 6 m court with tape or chalk, or a smaller one for beginners, and tie a net or rope at about 1 m.
• Play 3 against 3 or 6 against 6, seated. Beginners may use a lighter, softer ball so that rallies last longer.
• Play sets to 15 points, a class adaptation of the official 25. Rotate after every change of serve, so that everyone serves and plays every position.
• Instruction from the teacher, for example: "use all three touches: pass, set, then send it over".
• Between sets, each team names one thing that worked and one thing to change.

Cool-down (4 minutes). Seated stretches for the shoulders, wrists, back and thighs.

6Inclusion and safety

• Because everyone sits, a classmate with a leg impairment and a classmate without one play the same game on equal terms.
• Serve only when the receivers are ready and the teacher has whistled.
• Keep the area behind the end line clear for the server; sit well apart on court.

Practice

Solution. The player in position 1, at the right of the back row.

Solution. Yes. In sitting volleyball the serve may be blocked. Mugisha should serve higher over the net and deep into the court.

Solution. Your players rotate one place clockwise, and the player who moves into position 1 serves.

Solution. Every missed serve gives the other team a point. A steady serve aimed deep or at a weak receiver keeps the pressure on without giving points away.