Lesson Proper for Week 10

          The ability to pass the ball to a teammate is the most fundamental skill to be learned. It is
required on almost all plays. To receive spikes, serves, and low balls, a forearm pass should be
used. The forearm pass is used to recover the opponents’ attack called a “dig.” A set, which is
generally the second play by a team, is a high pass that is used to relay the ball to the spiker. A
spike is a ball that is hit forcibly from a height from above the net. Moreover, a spike that is
impossible to return is called a kill. Now, a defensive play that attempts to stop the ball from
returning over the net is called blocking.

Basic Skills in Volleyball

          Competitive teams master six basic skills: serve, pass, set, attack, block, and dig.  A
number of specific techniques compromises each of these skills. Over the years, these techniques
have been introduced and are now considered as standard practice in high-level volleyball.

A.   Serve
          A serve is what always starts the game and helps to keep the game. In an attempt to drive
the ball into the court of the opponent, a player stands behind the inline and serves the ball. The
main objective of serving is to make the ball land inside the court. It is also desirable that the
direction, speed, and acceleration of the ball is set so that the receiver will find it difficult to
handle it properly.  A serve is called an "ace" in certain situations. It can be when the ball lands
directly onto the court, travels outside of the court after being touched by an opponent, or when
the server is the only player on the server's team to touch the ball.

In contemporary volleyball, there are many types of serves that are employed:

1. Underhand - A serve in which instead of tossing it up and striking it with an

overhand throwing motion, the player strikes the ball below the waist.
Underhand serves are rarely employed in high-level competitions because they
are considered as very easy to receive.
2. Sky Ball Serve - A specific type of underhand serve occasionally used in
beach volleyball, where the ball is hit so high it comes down almost in a
straight line.
3. Topspin – An overhand serve wherein the server tosses the ball high and then
hits it with a wrist snap. This gives it topspin, which will cause the ball to drop
faster than it would otherwise and will help maintain a straight flight path.
Generally, topspin serves are hit hard and aimed at a specific part of the court
or returner. Standing topspin serves are rarely used above high school’s level
of play.
4. Float - An overhand serve where the ball is hit with no spin so that its path
becomes unpredictable, akin to a knuckleball in baseball.
5. Jump Serve - An overhand serve wherein the ball is first tossed high in the air,
then the player makes a timed approach and jumps to make contact with the
 ball. They would then hit it with much topspin and pace. Among college and
professional teams, this is the most popular serve.
6. Jump Float - An overhand serve wherein the ball is tossed high enough that
the server may jump before hitting it similarly to a standing float serve. Here,
the ball is tossed lower than a topspin jump serve, but contact with the ball is
still made while in the air. The jump float serve is becoming more popular
among college and professional players. This is due to its certain
unpredictability in its flight pattern. This is also the only serve wherein the
player’s feet can go over the inline.

B.   Pass
          A player making a forearm pass or bump is also called reception, which is a way of
receiving the ball and setting for offensive attack. To properly handle the serve or any form of
attack of the opponent, the pass is attempted by a team. In proper handling, it must include not
only preventing the ball from touching the court, but also making it reach the setter’s position
both quickly and precisely.

          Two specific techniques is involved in the skill of passing: underarm pass, or also known
as bump, wherein the ball touches the inside part of the joined forearms or platform, at waistline;
and the overhand pass, where it is handled with their fingertips, like a set, above the head. In
professional and beach volleyball, either are acceptable. However, in beach volleyball, there are
much tighter regulations on the overhand pass. It is ideal that the ball does not have a lot of spin
when the player passes a ball to their setter to make it easier for the setter.

1. Underhand Pass - The best option in receiving a spike or serve.

2. Overhead Pass - This is also known as toss. As preparation for an offensive attack,
like the spike, this is usually done by the setter.

C.   Set
          Usually, the set is the second contact that a team will make with the ball. Putting the ball in
the air in a way that it can be driven by an attack into the court of the opponent is the main goal
of setting. The offensive movements of a team  is coordinated by the setter. They are also the
player who ultimately decides which player will actually attack the ball.

          Sometimes, a setter may refrain from raising the ball for a teammate to perform an attack
and instead try to play it directly onto the court of the opponent. This movement is called a
‘dump.’ Only when the setter is in the front line that this movement can be performed, otherwise,
it constitutes as an illegal back court attack. The most common dumps are to 'throw' the ball
behind the setter or in front of the setter to zones 2 and 4.

          More experienced setters may toss the ball into the deep corners or even spike the ball on
the second hit. As with a set or an overhand pass, the setter or passer must be careful that they
touch the ball with both hands at the same time. On the occasion that one hand is noticeably late
to touch the ball, a less effective set could be the result, and as well as the referee calling a
'double hit,' which will give the point to the opposing team.
D.   Attack
          The attack is also known as the spike. Usually, it is the third contact that a team makes
with the ball. The object of this volleyball skill is to handle the ball so that it may land on the
court of the opponent and cannot be defended. To do so, a player makes a series of steps (the
"approach"), jumps, and then swings at the ball.

E.   Block
          The actions taken by players standing at the net to stop or alter an attack of the opponent is
referred to as blocking. A block is called offensive if it is aimed at completely stopping an attack,
which will make the ball remain in the court of the opponent. A well-executed offensive block is
performed by jumping and reaching to penetrate with one's arms and hands over the net and into
the area of the opponent. It requires anticipating the ball’s direction once the attack takes place. It
may also require calculating the best footwork to execute the ‘perfect’ block.

          To intercept the trajectory of the ball prior to it crossing over the plane of the net, the jump
should be timed. Palms are held deflected downward at roughly 45–60 degrees toward the
interior of the court of the opponents. A ‘roof,’ which is a spectacular offensive block, redirects
the attack’s speed and power straight down to the attacker's floor as if the attacker hit the ball
into the underside of a peaked house roof.

F.   The Dig

          Digging, another volleyball skill, is the ability to prevent the ball from touching one's court
after an attack or spike, particularly a ball that is nearly touching the ground. This skill is similar
to passing, or bumping in many aspects: overhand dig and bump are also used to distinguish
between defensive actions taken with fingertips or with joined arms. It varies from passing, in a
way that it is a much more of a reflex-based skill, especially when it comes to the higher levels.
While digging, it is especially important for players to stay on their toes; several players choose
to employ a split step to ensure that they are ready to move in any direction.

Rules of the Game

Toss a coin. The winner can either:

1. Choose whether to serve or receive.

2. Select the side of the court. The loser will take the remaining choice. If
necessary, another toss coin will be made before the start of the fifth set.

Serve
          The server must serve the ball anywhere inside the serving area and behind the end line.
The server must wait for the signal of the referee before serving. If the server makes a wrong
toss, she must not hit the ball and just let it fall onto the floor before retrieving it and repeating
the serve. Otherwise, the serve will be considered in play.

Scoring System
          The failure of the receiving team to return the ball legally over the net into the opponent’s
court scores one point for the serving team.
          The first team to score 25 points wins the set, but they must win by at least two points. A
match is won by the team that first scores two of three games. Rally scoring eliminates side-out,
and thus a point is scored on every serve.

Player’s Rotation
          Each time a new server takes their turn to serve, players will rotate in a clockwise
direction. The same player will serve for their team until a side out occurs, wherein the opposing
teams earns the point and the serve. Illegal rotation, with the wrong players, may switch
positions, but only front line players may jump from the attack area to bring the ball over the net
to the other side of the court.

Hits
          A maximum of 3 hits per offensive play is given to each team. Except for a block, a player
cannot hit the ball two consecutive times if two players hit the ball at the same time. It will be
taken as one hit.

          The ball must not come to rest. To hit the ball, any part of the body, including the feet,
may be used. A serve must not be blocked nor attacked by the opponent. The ball may be played
off the net off during a volley and on serve. The ball is called in if it lands on the line.

Violations
 The following are violations which will result in the loss of a point.

1. A server steps on the end line during a serve.

2. A serve does not cross the net or goes under it.
3. The ball is illegally hit, through caring, palming, and throwing.
4. A player touches the net or steps over the center line during the game.
5. A player reaches over the net (except during follow through or block).

Volleyball Game Officials

 FIRST REFEREE She/he makes the major calls, such as awarding of Points,
calling violations, deciding on matters that are not covered by rules, inspecting
the condition of the playing area before and during the game, giving an
explanation of calls made upon the team captain’s request, displaying sanction
cards, and taking responsible over other officials. The first Referee stays at the
referee’s stand at one end of and above the net.
 SECOND Referee she/he assists the first referee in making calls, especially on
actions that occur in her/his area (such as under the net), supervise time-outs,
substitutions, and monitor player and team bench conduct. The second referee
stands at the end of the net opposite the first referee
 FOUR LINE JUDGES They are responsible for calling checked balls and balls
in and out of bounds. Each stays at a corner of the court and holds a flag.
  BALL RETRIEVER In charge with the out-of-bound balls. Provide ball to be
used by the player.

Sanction Cards

 YELLOW CARD Assessed to a player as penalty for rude conduct. A point will
be awarded to the opponent, as well as the serve.

RED CARD assessed to a player or coach, and includes-expulsion from the set-for the
second incidence of rude conduct-for the first incidence of offensive conduct (insulting
words or gestures). As a consequence, the team member cannot play for the
remainder of the set and will have to sit on the bench. Coaches who are expelled may
not intervene with the team’s game and will be asked to stay in the penalty area for the
rest of the set. RED AND YELLOW CARD given to a player or coach as disqualification for
the third incidence of rude conduct, the second incidence of offensive conduct, or for
physical attack or threatening aggression. As a consequence, the disqualified player or
coach must leave the competition area for the remainder of the game.