Volleyball - videos

Videos - Volleyball 

Here is a collection of evidence of me performing different skills in volleyball and different drills: 

Volleyball - team performance profile

Team Performance - Volleyball 

Green - The required level to be successful (subjective) 

Yellow - Our teams level of ability in that area

Strengths:

From interpreting the graph. I can state that the main strengths of my team for volleyball were: 

• Serving
• Spiking
• Setting 
• Positioning

Weaknesses:

From interpreting the graph. I can state that the main stregths of my team for volleyball were:

• Communication
• Blocking
• Use of 3 touches
• Accuracy
• Concentration 

Volleyball - rules and regs

Rules and Regulations of a team sport

Team Sport one: Volleyball

	Description of Rule/Regulation	Example Situation
Scoring Systems	·         Rally scoring is the method used. ·         There will be a point scored on every score of the ball. ·         Only one point can be scored by either team (no matter how the point is won. Ways to score: ·         Offense will score on a defence miss or out of bounds hit. ·         Defence will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net. How the winner is decided: ·         Game will be played to 25 pts. If the game is tied at the final couple of points (12:12), then either team must win by 2 clear points.	Example 1. – One point may be scored by either team hitting the ball over the net or the ball hitting floor on the opposing side (within the boundaries). Example 2. – A point may awarded to the opposing team if one was to hit a shot over the net and out of bounds. Example 3. – A point may be awarded to the opposition if the team hits an attacking shot and it does not clear the net (so either hits it or goes under).
Starting play	The game starts off with a coin toss and the team who chose the correct side starts the game with a serve. The game then begins with a regular serve (feet behind the service line etc…).
Officials	First Referee – This referee stands on the referee stand and from their controls the play of the entire game. Second Referee – The second referee works to assist the first referee throughout the game, and can finish take the place of the first referee if they can no longer fulfil their role. Scorer – The official scorer keeps track of the score throughout the volleyball game. Before the game begins the scorer notes the starting line-up of each team also. Line Judges – The line judges stand at the corners of the court watching the lines to indicate whether a ball in play falls in or out of the court (varies from 2-4 line judges for a game.	Example 1. – The first referee may award a point when a team hits the ball onto the floor of the opposition portion of the court. Example 2. – The line judge may choose to either award or not award a point to the serving team during a serve. Example 3. – The second referee may need to take place of the first referee if for example he was to feel unwell or became injured.
Conduct	Make sure all required precautions Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of each participant are covered (first aid) and above all other considerations, include the development of performance. Do not use inappropriate language. Make sure that she
Unwritten rules of etiquette	Do not kick the volleyballs – this may alter their shape and make them ‘unfit’ to be used in future games. Do not throw the ball above the net to pass to the server (role under the net) – This might lead to injury if the ball hits someone. Do not wear jewellery – This could lead to serious injury because they may be caught during a game which could rip your skin.
Players and support	A complete team consists of six players, but a minimum of four players is required to start and continue a game. The positions are as such: Right back/Setter, Right front, Middle Front, Left Front, Right Back, Middle back, Left Back.
Challenges and fouls	Volleyball does not have fouls, but instead uses ‘faults, for example foot faults. This might be seen if a player steps over the service line during a serve. There is however challenges, for example the opposing team can challenge if they think a ball has gone out bounds and the line judge will assess their case, to see whether to award the point.	Example 1. – A player may challenge a server if they think he serve landed outside the court. Example 2. – A player may be penalised if they hit the net when smashing the ball over the net and automatically lose the point.  Example 3. – A foot fault may be awarded by the first referee or line judge if their foot goes over the line during a serve.
Playing surface and dimensions	A volleyball court is 18m (59 ft) long and 9m (29.5 ft) wide, divided into 9m × 9m halves by a one-meter (40-inch) wide net. The court is usually a hall type surface.
Equipment	To play the game itself, only a volleyball, net and poles are required (along with a court obviously). However the players themselves may decide to wear knee pads and elbow pads for protection when diving.

Volleyball - defensive drills

Defensive drills

A player load:

This is whereby one person (the setter) has everyone line up on the edge of the court, the setter sets the first person in the line and this first person sets in back, the first person then moves into the centre of the court while the setter then sets the second person. After this the second person in the line hits the ball (using a defensive skill like a set for example to the first person in the cue, who then sets the ball back to the setter, this then repeats until everyone in the line becomes involved. If they reach the end of the line without failing then they have succeeded at the drill.

Green – the setter

Red – the ball

Orange – the line of participants

Defensive returning:

Equipment – A volleyball and a court.

In this drill, there is again a server, however there is a maximum of 3 other players. The players should number themselves from one to three. The server starts with the ball and must pass to the number 1. From there the volleyball must be ‘passed’ to the next corresponding number in the order, using a defensive shot (either a dig or a set). They should continue passing to one another and have a counter of the total passes made on each attempt as a goal to beat

Green – the setter

Red – the ball

Orange – the line of participants and their numbers 

Volleyball - attacking drills

Drill 1: A drill to improve basic blocking skills involving 2 people

• Firstly, we began by creating the most simplified drill which consisted of throwing and blocking the ball from the other side of the net ( preferably at a comfortable height). This way if the individuals are not very skilled or are new to the sport they can get an understanding and basic feel for the movement of the skill (kin aesthetic awareness). 

• Not only does this benefit blocking but it also help to improve other skills such as a 'jump serve' through the ply-metrics introduced due to the continuous jumping and loading of the muscle each time a block is performed.

• The throwing and blocking process should be performed 5 times and then the two individuals switch roles so that both acquire an understanding and develop the skill of blocking.

Drill 2: Introduction of a digger (progression no.1) involving 2 people 

• This progression of drill number 1 introduces a dig from the person who throws the ball, this again helps to benefit the basic skills required to block and also now the skills required for a digger. 

• Adding to this, it also creates a more realistic game scenario for the digger due to the unpredictability of the balls position and flight after the ball has been blocked. 

Drill 3: Introduce both a set and spike (final progression) involving 3 people

• Finally, we introduce both a set and then a spike once the block and dig has been performed. 

• The set is performed by the 3rd individual who has just been introduced to the drill and then another individual who began the drill with the throw, digs the ball then spikes the ball as the final stage once it has been set. 

• This will add more realism to the drill by having to adjust to the ball due to the unpredictability of the ball after each stage is performed (; throw - by player no.1, block - player no.2, dig - player no. 1, set - player no. 3 and lastly a dig - player no. 1).

• This final progression of the drill creates a wide variety of skills that are implemented to cover the basic skills required for volley ball. These position/players are interchangeable so that each participant get experience and a chance to develop their skills for volleyball. 

Volleyball - tactics

Tactics

For Practical Team sport, we have been working on improving our tactical play with in Volley ball. the tactics that we were working on specifically were utilising the opportunity to hit the ball a maximum of three times, each occasion the volleyball was hit onto our team's side of the court.

The way we would achieve this, would be through using all of the skills required with hitting the ball and our movement on the court to allow us to get into position to play the required shot. The shots we would use would include; a dig, spike, dive, roll, smash and set. 

This tactic would mean that we would have more opportunities to 'shape play' and also be able to get into a scoring opportunity. It will also mean we have more control over both the tempo of the game and the attacking shots (because the previous shots - most likely a set, can be tapered to where you want to hit a smash for example). 

A further tactic which we used was to utilise the attributes of each player on our team. For example we tried to make sure that our setters were the two smallest on the team and in turn that the attacking players were the tallest (as they would be the ones who were required to perform smashes, and this would be much easier if they are already closer to being able to see over the net). 

Taking advantage of these things would mean that our team will be best setup to best combat whatever the opposing team throws at us so that we can get the upper hand and thus win a higher percentage of points/ higher success rate. 

Lastly, another main tactic which was very prominent within our play style was to use a 'libero style player' 

The libero is a defensive player, designed to allow the other teammates to become more involved in attacking - they are told by their coach 'you can not to hit the ball over the net', so in other words only become involved with the defensive play. This means that they usually play in a number 5 role (at the back of the court, but still slightly central). The main reasons why we would introduce a 'libero' type player was:

• to replace a player who has poor backcourt defence.
• to give players an opportunity to rest.
• as a primary part of the service receive unit.
• to change the defensive set-up without having to use a recorded substitution. (Libero substitutions are unlimited).

Volleyball - self analysis

Performance analysis

My analysis sheet was set out as such, firstly I made a table that was marked by either using a numerical value or through a word that best represents my ability in that skill. The skills I was assessed in consisted of:

• Serving (scored 9/15)

- Used a wide variety of serving techniques including an overhead serve and including a jump showing  that he is an autonomous performer in the area of serving. 

• Passing/Setting (21/29)

- The positioning when making a pass could be improved however the height and positioning of the actual set was excellent and consistent.

• Blocking (1/3)

- You attempted the blocking in an aggressive manor which showed good promise however the jump to meet the oppositions attacker was timed poorly and needs some work. 

• Attacking/Hitting (3/6)

- Used a wide variety of attacking shots, such as smashing. However the success rate (number of shots that went in) was not as high as it could have been due to focusing to much on power instead of placement

• Communication (good-excellent) 

- You communicated well, by assisting people with less knowledge on where to be positioned, but also listened very well to your teammates to take on board their advice also. 

• Game Awareness (okay-good)

- You knew where your team mates were around you at any one time, however there was moments when you left shots, thinking your teammate would assist you. But it didn't always happen.  

• Movements (good-excellent) 

I also gave my assessor the possibility to leave comments on either where I could improve or for some positive feedback of what they personally thought I did well. ( these have been added underneath each skill to give a more in-depth analysis of how I performed according to what I observed).

Here is my own self analysis of performance in Volleyball:

Green - How important it is to have
Yellow - How well I used/showed it

When looking at this performance analysis of myself, I can compare how well I performed, to how well it should have been for me to be most effective in this specific. So when looking at for example serving, I feel that I was very effective in this skill (not far from the required skill level to be most effective). However on the other hand, I rated myself least effective in accuracy, which was also what my college suggested I improve (with just over 50% of each shot type going into the court).

Here is a more informative break down of some of my most strong/weak skills:

Here is my first skill that I have chosen, as you can see my strengths are anticipation and use of my fingertips. My weaknesses however are my placement and moving into position. Each of these could be improved through a set of training methods. For example for my movement, I could set up a ladder and cones session, which would help to improve my footwork which will in effect make me more efficient at moving around the court to conserve energy and keep balanced during each shot I play.

My other main weakness is my Placement of shots. This could be improved through a training session which requires precision. For example using hoops as targets over the other side of the net that I must aim to hit (with a wide variety of shots).

 This is the second skill I chose to focus on (digging). For this specific skill, I felt that my main two strengths of this skill continuum were anticipation of where the ball was going and also crouching into position for a more effective dig, due to being' compact'. On the other hand, my weaknesses were creating a flat base using my palms, this could be improved by having a coach give myself manual guidance, this will allow me to gain more of a kinaesthetic awareness for this part of the skill. 

My other main weakness was pushing upwards through my legs so that I would drive the ball upwards for a more controlled dig to a teammate. It will also give my dig more height so that my teammates can react to it. I could improve this through plyometric training e.g. box jumps or resistance band training. This will recruit more type 2B fibre so I can explode upwards through my legs. 

My third skill that I chose to focus on was serving - overhead. My main strengths within this skill was the contacting of the ball (being my strongest). My second strength of this skill continuum was the balancing on my back leg when beginning the runup so that I could generate more speed over a shorter period of time. However, having said this one of my main weaknesses was my throw up of the ball, this would becuase I was throwing the ball out in front of me instead of upwards so I would be stable when taking the shot. I could improve this by improving my general hand to eye coordination, for example through having multiple feeders throw balls at different trajectories, where I play an attacking shot (overhead) and try to hit the opposite side of the court.

My other main weakness was my follow through, this was because I did not try to follow in a straight motion, this was because my head was tilted to one side, this meant that my body then followed in the same direction as a result and my shot became skewed and less accurate. I could improve this specific weakness again through  manual guidance of a experienced coach so he can give me a greater kinaesthetic awareness of how I should finish the shot for more accuracy and control.

For my final skill, I chose to use blocking. My main strengths of this skill was the lifting upwards of my arms and the timing along with it. Also another of my strengths was my anticipation of when the opposition would play an attacking shot to hit the ball over to our side of the court. My main weakness of this skill is my crouching position so that I can load my my leg muscles to bound upwards. This specific part of the skill could be improved by introducing some balance work such as side to side walking or toe to toe walking. So i can obtain a stable base to maintain a steady crouch position.

Another weakness of this specific skill is my vertical jump upwards. This is partly because of my crouch being inefficient meaning that I can not load my muscles as effectively to spring upwards. This could be improved by again introducing some plyometric exercises such as lunges and drop jumps to improve my muscle memory for jumping vertically upwards.

S.W.O.T analysis: 

Internal This is something that you can control and have an effect on	Strengths ·         A good relaxed arm stroke when contacting the ball ·         A good body position and also good movement towards the ball ·         An excellent level of anticipating play.	Weaknesses (areas for improvement) ·         Not accurate in my shots because to much shot power   ·         My digging is inconsistent. ·         My technique for blocking is skewed because I do not have a set muscle memory for crouching effectively.
External This is something that is outside and you may not have full control over these factors	Opportunities ·         Short game has been practised and focused on with the coach ·         I have learnt how to mentally rehearse where I want to play my shots based on the position of my opposition ·         Has stated to some core work in the gym to help with keeping balanced in crouched position (for digging). ·         The opportunity to attend more training sessions and one to ones with my coach.	Threats ·         Can get very aggressive and this can disrupt my game especially when I am losing? ·         I do not play very well in really hot conditions. ·         The opponent that I am playing next is of a much higher ability which puts me off as a result. ·         I feel under pressure when I know I am not consistent at hit the volleyball.