Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

This module dealt with what the game of Volleyball is fundamentally about, and
explored some aspects that are unique to all three disciplines compared to other team
sports. In addition, the various phases of play that make the Cycle of Action were
explained, along with an overview of the key actions performed by the athletes during
each phase.

Overview of the Game

• Two teams are opposed and separated by a net. The ball is put into play by one
player, who serves it into the other team’s court. The serving player attempts to
make the opponent’s initial contact and control of the ball as challenging/difficult
as possible.

• The receiving team must not let the ball touch the ground on its side of the court.
Immediately after the first contact is made with the ball, the receiving team is on
offense/attack.

• Players on offense pass the ball to each other (without holding the ball), in order
to prepare an action whereby one of them will attempt to (1) put it on the ground
on the opponent’s side of the court (ideally from a position close to the net), or (2)
keep the play alive by sending the ball over the net, into the other team’s
territory. A team has a maximum of three contacts with the ball to achieve one of
these objectives.

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 Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

• A team scores a point when it succeeds in putting the ball on the ground on the
opponent’s side of the court or deflects it off an opponent so it cannot be
returned.

• To increase their chances of scoring a point, the players on the attacking team
can use a variety of tactics and strategies to deceive their opponents and make
optimal use of space and time within the number of contacts allowed.

• If the defensive team gains control of the ball as a result of effective defensive
actions, the defensive team must turn its focus around immediately in order to
create favourable offensive conditions or exploit potential scoring situations, as
outlined above.

• When a rally ensues, teams must quickly switch their focus between offense and
defence.

• Given the rebound nature of volleyball, each contact with the ball is very short (a
few milliseconds), and a player is never in possession of the ball while executing
a skill.

Aspects Unique to Volleyball Compared to Other Team Sports

Teams are separated by a net - This means players can do very little to disrupt the
actions and plans of their opponent.

Volleyball players can’t take possession of the ball - The ball is always contacted
while it is in motion and each contact is very brief. The action required by a player is
always dictated by the outcome of the previous contact by a team mate or an opponent.
The outcome of the previous contact, [direction and trajectory of the ball], can also be
quite unpredictable.

The Essence of the Game

• While on offense: to put the ball on the opponent’s side of the court so it cannot
be returned.

• While on defence: to prevent the opponent from putting the ball on the floor on
your side.

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 Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

Grounding the ball on the other team's side of the court, and preventing them from
doing the same, are very simple concepts and intentions … but they are central
to everything players do during a game… and to what coaches must seek to teach.

The Challenges for the Players

Because teams are separated by a net, players must constantly react to what their
opponents do.

To respond successfully to the actions of an opponent requires that a player uses

anticipation. One can only anticipate correctly if the appropriate information is
processed during play, and then correct decisions made.

To quote Daniel Lewis, former Team Canada Libero: "A major part of my success as a
primary receiver is from analyzing the servers before a match, knowing the players
tendencies, such as location, power and spin …. The faster I can pick up this
information the better the result.”

Implications - Players must be aware of many things during play, not just the position
of the ball. If players focus strictly on the ball, they will likely miss important cues such
as (1) the direction and the speed offensive players are moving and (2) what the
attacking player is actually doing (e.g. hitting cross court or line, spiking or tipping, etc.).

Key Actions Performed by the Players

The following are key actions athletes perform during play.

Service reception: This is the first ball contact by a team. The forearm pass is often
used to receive a serve, although the overhead pass or other less common
techniques may also be used.

Preparation for attack: This is typically the second ball contact in the rally. Setting is
a technique frequently used to deliver the ball to a partner who will in turn attack or hit
it over the net.

Attack: The attack is typically the last ball contact. The spiking technique is often
used to conclude the attack and try to ground the ball in the opponents’ territory,
although other techniques such as tipping or rolling the ball, or intentionally hitting the
ball off the hands of the blocker(s), can also be used.

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 Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

Court movements: Common court movements include moving rapidly forwards,

backwards, or sideways to execute an action, and then recovering quickly into a
“defensive ready position”.

Blocking and defense: Blocking is a defensive action used by players to stop a

powerful attack. It involves a jump with the arms reaching over the net. In defensive
actions, players may also perform sprawls, dives, and other spectacular moves to
keep the ball alive.

Service: The service is the action whereby the player attempts to hit the ball in the
opponents’ territory from a point behind the end line. Techniques used to serve the
ball include the underhand serve (used by children and beginners), the standing or
jump float serve (intermediate players), and the spike serve (advanced players).

The Cycle of Action

Overview

The term Cycle of Action refers to the Phases of Play during a Volleyball rally. For
example, Service is a Phase of Play. The Cycle of Action is unique to the sport of
Volleyball.

There are two Cycles of Action: one on defense and one on offense (see diagrams
below). Several Phases of Play are common to each Cycle, although they do not
happen in the same sequence.

One could argue that Serving can be an offensive action as there is always an
opportunity to score a point... However, by convention, coaches define offence and
defence as indicated previously.

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 Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

Why Is It Important for Coaches to Be Familiar With the Cycles of Actions?

The Phases of Play dictate what players should be focusing on and trying to do. Each
Phase of Play also has a unique set of skills and movement patterns that are required
for success.

A clear understanding of the Cycle of Action and of each Phase of Play is therefore
critical in order to teach athletes how to play the game and what skills to use during
each Phase.

Phases of play – The Components of the Cycles of Actions

Here is a brief description of what players typically try to do during each Phase of Play.

Service (Defensive Cycle only)

The purposes of this Phase of Play are to initiate the play; to score a point; to cause a
'less than perfect' pass on the opponents' side.

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Transition to Defensive Ready

The purposes of this Phase of Play are to move quickly into ideal blocking and
defensive ready positions and ultimately stop the attacking side.

Blocking & Defense

The purposes of this Phase of Play are to stop the attacking team from scoring a point;
to score a point via a block; to dig the ball (keep it off the floor and allow for a setting
opportunity).

Preparation to Attack

The purposes of this Phase of Play are to transition from defense to offense, and to set
the ball in a favourable position for attack.

Attack

The purpose of this Phase of Play is to score a point (ground the ball, or cause an error
by the opponents).

Attack Coverage

The purpose of this Phase of Play is to ‘cover' the attacker in order to keep the ball off
the ground should it be blocked.

Service Reception (Offensive Cycle only)

The purposes of this Phase of Play are to pass the ball to the setter, so that s/he may
easily move to the ball and set a range of attackers. The primary objective is to mount
an attack and score a point.

Cycles of Actions: Variations

During play, each Cycle of Action is not always perfectly cyclical...

Several variations can occur during the course of a rally, and the most common are
outlined in the following diagrams.

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 Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

Variation 1 – Defensive Cycle

Variation 2 – Defensive Cycle

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Volleyball Canada e-module Summary – The Nature of the Game of Volleyball

Variation 1 - Offensive Cycle

Variation 2 - Offensive Cycle

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