HLTH 2204

Curriculum Models in Physical Education

Games for understanding – A tactical games approach
Tutorial 9

1. The Overhand Pass (Volley)

The overhand pass is a two-handed pass played above the forehead. With its high and slow trajectory, it gives
beginners the best chance to read the flight of the ball and to move to the contact point, thus making it the ideal
starting point for teaching the game. Using only the overhand pass it is possible to get a 1 v 1 game going very
quickly. Once mastered, the overhead pass is the most accurate method of directing and controlling the ball.

Types of Overhand Pass

 The overhand pass is most commonly used to set up an attack. It is used to put the ball high and close
to the net (one metre) so that an attacker can jump and smash it.
 It is also used when receiving a slow-moving ball from the opposition, to control the ball and pass it to a
team mate. (Freeball)
 All players need to be able to overhand pass the ball over both short and long distances (2m to 5m).

Fig 1

Technique Description

• be ready to move to the ball (refer to Ready for Action, tutorial notes 6) (See Fig. 1a)
• watch the bail and anticipate where it is going (peak point of the bait)
• move quickly to the interception point (midline of the body, ball above hairline) maintaining good body shape; be
behind and under the ball
• be balanced and facing the direction in which he/she wants to play the ball before the ball arrives (refer to
Beating the Ball, tutorial notes 6) (See Fig. 1b)
• have his/her body under the ball, with the knees bent and arms relaxed. (See Fig. 1c)
• contact the ball above the hairline, on the midline of the body
• use a 1-2 rhythm to play the ball; i.e. count one — down beat with the knees bending farther as the hands go up
to contact point, count two — extend from the knees through the ball in direction of the target (using the whole
body, not only the arms and hands) (See Fig. 1c/d)
• finish the action physically by extending to the target, and mentally by seeing in the mind’s eye the correct
execution
• recover and be ready for the next action; e.g. if the player has played the ball to the setter, he/she should prepare
to cover the attacker, or should return quickly to the defensive base position if the ball has been played over the
net

Ball Contact

• The hands are open, in the shape of the ball.

• The index fingers and thumbs form a triangle; index fingers and thumbs are the same distance apart.
• The thumbs should point at the opposite ear.
• The forearms make a second, bigger triangle.
• The ball is contacted with the pads of the thumbs along the length of the forefinger and the pads of all
the other fingers.

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

 • The player should try to play the ball quietly with relaxed arms, wrists and fingers. (See Figs. 2.1 & 2.2)

Fig 2.1 Fig 2.2

2. Introduction Warm-up with partner - 1v1 Overhand Pass game at the net
 volleyball attack line as base line. Width, what they can stretch with a net at volleyball height or higher
 conditioned game - service delivered with Overhand Pass
- during play the ball is delivered with Overhand Pass;
- ball not allowed to bounce on either side of the divided court.
Conduct rules:
 fair play;
 keeping an accurate score.
Procedural rules:
 method of scoring;
 ball must be played with an Overhead Pass
 max 1 touch

3. Practices for Overhand Pass

Catch or Bounce

Aim: To ensure player moves to, and establishes, correct contact position.
Rules: A feeds underarm to B, who moves to get inside the trajectory of the ball, claps as it peaks, and then:
- lets it bounce close to the body (See Fig.3)
- catches the ball in the volley position.

Progression: A calls ‘1’ or ‘2’.

‘1’ = B lets ball bounce
‘2’ = B catches ball.

Teaching Points: Catch the ball

above and in front of the forehead
on the midline of the body.

Fig 3

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

Volley to Self

Aim: To teach players to move under the ball and to volley it using knee extension.
Rules: Toss ball to self, let it bounce; move under it and volley to self. (See Fig. 4)
Teaching Points: Move under the ball. Use knee extension to play the ball.

Fig 4

Rhythm Pass

Aim: To teach rhythm of volley pass.

Rules: Volley to self — two metres high.
Teaching Points: Establish the rhythm 1 —2. Count the rhythm aloud.

Through the Angle

Aim: To teach volley through angles.

Rules: A feeds to B who plays an overhand pass to C. B moves to receive feed from C and plays an overhand
pass to A. (See Fig. 5)
Teaching Points: B must create space by establishing position early behind the flight of the incoming ball, and
must move forward through the contact point towards the target.

Fig 5

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

 4. Organisation of Divided Court Game 5 (from Week 8) – Continue with 2v2 fixtures
 volleyball length court at a width two individual scan stretch, with a net at volleyball height *;
 conditioned game - service delivered with I hand
- during play the ball is delivered with 1 or 2 hands after a partner feed;
- ball not allowed to bounce on either side of the divided court.
- momentum step only with the ball
Conduct rules:
 fair play;
 keeping an accurate score.

Procedural rules:
 method of scoring;
 net touch by player reinforced
 max 2 touches
 rotation

Tactical solution:
With the ball
 establish a position on court that enables you to see the ball and the oppositions court
 to send the object across the net so that it is difficult to return.
o Placement
o Pace
o Disguise
Without the ball
 to cooperatively cover the court area to deny space to the opposition and be comfortably placed to play the object.

Strategical solution:

Without the ball

 defend off the net
 communication – mine/in or out
 creating and controlling space for the spike to be effective

With the ball

 partner- feed the ball to the net and higher than the net so the ball can be delivered in a downward direction from a point higher
than the net.

5. Ball Flight

a) Ball Flight Judgement

The ability of a student to predict the path of the ball, both in terms of space (where) and time (when) is critical to
success in volleyball. This prediction must also be accompanied by a movement of the player to the point of
interception, and by his or her preparation to play the ball.

It is therefore essential that students are taught the fundamental skills of judging ball flight and that some time is
allocated to learning these skills.

In volleyball, three types of trajectory can be defined.

Type One
e.g. the overhand pass. Characterised by low speed and easily identifiable peak point. This trajectory is easiest
to judge.

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

When introducing the game:
• Teach good feeding skills to ensure the use of this type of trajectory.

Student A and B play the ball back and forth. C and D try to hit the ball with
their ball.
All 4 students have a ball – they attempt a mid air collision.

•Use a high net.

• Do not allow players to serve the ball overarm. (Start the rally with a volley or underarm throw over the net.)

Type Two

e.g. overarm serve. Characterised by high speed and flat trajectory. This is considered
moderately difficult to judge and should not be used with beginners.

Type Three

e.g. smash. Characterised by very high speed and downward trajectory. This is considered
very difficult - to judge and controlling this type of shot is an advanced skill.

b) Practice for Ball Flight Judgement (Type One Trajectories)

Peak Point
Aim: To teach reading of ball flight.
Rules: Each player with one ball (any type). Toss the ball in the air, clap at the peak point of the ball.
(By clapping at the moment the ball peaks, the player acknowledges the mid-point of the ball
flight, which helps in judging the point of interception.) Catch the ball.

Progression: Toss the ball in the air, clap at peak, allow the ball to bounce or no bounce allowed.
Move to catch it:

• sitting down
• after turning 180° 360°
• behind back
• as close to the ground as possible
• lying down with feet
• above forehead
• with a jump.

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

 6. Organisation of Divided Court Game 6 - Introduce overhand pass
 volleyball length court at a width two individuals can stretch, with a net at volleyball height *;
 conditioned game - service delivered with I hand
- Flight 1 ball pass to partner at the net
- partner overhand passes the ball parallel to the net
- ball is delivered over the net with 1 or 2 hands after a partner feed;
- ball not allowed to bounce on either side of the divided court.

Fig 6a Fig 6b

Conduct rules:
 fair play;
 keeping an accurate score.

Procedural rules:
 method of scoring;
 net touch by player reinforced
 3 touches (Fig 6b Use 3 touches to attack)
 rotation

Tactical solution:
With the ball
 to send the object across the net so that it is difficult to return.
o Placement
o Power
o Disguise
Without the ball
 to cooperatively cover the court area to deny space to the opposition and be comfortably placed to play the object.

Strategical solution:

Without the ball

 Service Receive (Fig 6a Base position and service reception)
 communication
– call for the ball before it breaks the line of the net
– mine/in or out which releases partner to the net (Last 2 steps and bucket above head)
 defend off the net

With the ball

 Service Reception
– partner feeds the ball to the net using a Flight 1 ball
– overhead pass parallel to the net
– higher than the net so the ball can be delivered in a downward direction from a point higher than the net
– consider the strength & weaknesses of the hitter
 Creating and controlling space for the spike to be effective

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

 7. Organisation of Divided Court Game 7
 volleyball length court at a width two individuals can stretch, with a net at volleyball height *;
 conditioned game - cooperative overhand pass for service
- overhand pass to partner at the net
- partner overhand passes the ball parallel to the net
- ball is delivered over the net with 1 or 2 hands after a partner feed;
- ball not allowed to bounce on either side of the divided court.

Fig 1 Fig 2
Base position S/R Use 3 touches to attack

Conduct rules:
 fair play;
 keeping an accurate score.

Procedural rules:
 method of scoring;
 net touch by player reinforced
 max 3 touches for Service Receive
 min 2 touches during the competitive game
 rotation

Tactical solution:
With the ball
 to send the object across the net so that it is difficult to return.
o Placement
o Power
o Disguise
Without the ball
 to cooperatively cover the court area to deny space to the opposition and be comfortably placed to play the object.

Strategical solution:

Without the ball

 Service Receive (Fig 6a Base position and service reception)
 communication
– call for the ball before it breaks the line of the net
– mine/in or out which releases partner to the net (Last 2 steps and bucket above head)
 defend off the net

With the ball

 Service Reception
– partner feeds the ball to the net using an overhand pass (Flight 1 ball)
– overhead pass parallel to the net
– higher than the net so the ball can be delivered in a downward direction from a point higher than the net
– consider the strength & weaknesses of the hitter
 Creating and controlling space for the spike to be effective

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 9