HLTH 2204

Curriculum Models in Physical Education

Games for understanding – A tactical games approach
Tutorial 12
1. Service

The serve is used to start every rally. It is the only skill in volleyball over which the player has complete control
(closed skill). Initially it is necessary to develop a serve which is consistently safe, i.e. over the net and into court,
so that the team has an opportunity to score points. As the standard of play improves, it is necessary to try to
create some pressure on the opponents by powerful or tactical

Types at Serve

There are many different serves:

 Underarm,
 Overarm float
 Overarm topspin
 Roundhouse
 Jump

When introducing the game of volleyball, service reception skills are perhaps the most difficult to master and so
the service should remain conditioned throughout the small-sided game period, for example use volley to serve or
underarm serve. Only when a team’s service reception skill improves, should overarm service techniques be
allowed.

Technique Description — Underarm Serve (for a right-handed player)

The player should select a position behind the base line. Feet should be a shoulder width apart, left toe pointing to
the target, right foot behind and to the side of the left foot at about forty- five degrees. This should be a
comfortable and balanced stance. (A)

• The weight is mainly on the

back (right) foot; the knees
are bent.
• The ball is held in the left
hand, elbow comfortably
bent at about waist height
and in front of the right hip.
(B))
• The hitting hand can be
either closed in a fist or kept
open.
• The hitting arm swings
through in a straight line,
brushing the right hip. (C)
• The body weight is transferred from the back to the front foot as the hitting arm swings forward and the ball is
struck. (B/C)
• The huffing hand strikes the bottom half of the ball (to ensure that it goes up and over the net) and follows
through in the direction of the target. (D)
• The player moves onto court to take up his/her defensive position.

Technique Description — Overarm Serve (for a right-handed player)

Feet should be shoulder width apart, left toe pointing to the intended target, right foot behind and to the side of the
left foot, at about forty five degrees. The weight is mainly on the back (right) foot, the knees are bent, the back is
straight. The player should be comfortable and balanced in this stance. (A)

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 12

• The ball is held on the
fingers of the left hand, in
front of the right shoulder.
• At the same time as the left
hand tosses the ball, the
right arm moves back to
initiate the striking action.
The right elbow is kept high
(above shoulder level)
during the action. The ball
should be at the apex of its
toss when it is hit by the
serving hand. (B)
• As the right arm and hand
comes forward to strike the
ball, the body weight is
transferred from back to
front foot. (C/D)
• The hand is open and the wrist and palm are tense as they strike the centre of the ball.
• The hitting hand stops on contact with the ball and should finish facing the target. (D)
• The player should move quickly onto court to take up his/her defensive position.

Practices for the Serve

2.1 Partner Serving

Aim: To introduce the underarm serve.
Rules: In pairs, A serves to B who is on the other side of the net about four metres
away. When each player has served three good serves, both take one step back from
the net. Gradually increase the distance until service is from behind the baseline.
Teaching Points: Eye on the ball. Hit UNDER the ball to get it OVER the net.

2.2 Target Serving

Aim: To teach control of the direction of the serve.

Rules: Serve over the net at a target (mat, bench etc.)
The winner is the player who can hit the target twice.
Teaching Points: Front foot should be facing the target.
Hand should finish towards the target.

2.3 Serve – bump – pass - cover

Aim: To teach movement and linking to the next

Rules: As above but C overhand passes ball to self and then to a new
position for B. B bumps again to C.
KTP’s: B must stay in posture and adjust quickly to the new position. B
learns to link to the next action and to control the length of the
forearm pass action.

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4. Game Format 4 v 4— Supermini-volley

Condition for Game Play

Court size: 1 4m x 7m (outside lines of a badminton court).
Net height: 2.10 metres.
Ball: Volleyball.
Contacts: As per official rules
Scoring: As per official rules

Official Rules Introduced

There is an attack line two metres from the net. The back court player 1 cannot smash the ball from in front of the
attack line.

Tactics
a. There are four court zones.
Player 1 is a back court player.
Players 2, 3 and 4 are front players
.
b. Service reception formation;
designated setter is player 3.
Players 4, 1 and 2 are ready to receive the serve.

c. The setter has two attack options: d. Attack cover formation for attack
to set either to player 2 or to player 4. by player 4: 1-2-1 system.

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e. Defence with no blockers. f. Defence with one blocker.
Player 3 covers short, player Player 2 covers the tip.
4, 1 and 2 cover deep. Players 4 and 1 cover deep.

g. Defence with one blocker against

an attack through zone 4.

HLTH2204 Semester 2 2018 Tutorial 12