LESSON 3

Objective:
 BASIC SKILLS IN PLAYING
VOLLEYBALL

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Apply the basic skills of volleyball through individual virtual presentations.

Volleyball is widely played around the world. Playing this game is fun and
challenging but for you to play it, you need to familiarize yourself on the basic skills
on how to play the game. According to the FIVB (2020) here are the basic skills in
playing volleyball.

1. SERVE
A serve begins each rally. A player must hit the
ball with his or her hand over the net to land
inside the lines of the court. Players may serve
underarm or overarm (hardly anyone at elite level
would offer an underarm serve). A popular serve
is the "jump" or "spike" serve: the player jumps and
serves the ball while airborne.

Each player gets only one chance to serve. The

serve can touch the net and continue into the
opponent's court. Before this rule was
introduced, a net touch on service ended the rally
and the point was awarded to the receiving
team. When the serving team loses a rally, it loses
the right to serve. The receiving team then
rotates one position on the court

2. SET
The "set" is an overhead pass used to
change the direction of the dig and put the ball in
a good position for the spiker.

It is usually the team's second contact.

Setting is the tactical center of Volleyball. A setter
must be good enough to keep the big blockers from
dominating the net. The setter must feed his or her
best hitters while also looking for opponent's
blocking weaknesses (such as a short player on the
front line or a slow centre blocker)

PHED 104 – Team Sports Module II

3. DIG
The "dig" is a forearm pass that is used
to control the ball and pass it to the
setter at the net. It is usually the first
contact by the team and an
effective shot to use in defense, such
as when receiving a spike. The
"libero" handles much of the
team's serve reception and is
pivotal in backcourt defense.

4. SPIKE
The "spike" is when the ball is hit
or smashed across the net. It is the most
powerful shot in volleyball – and the
most effective way to win a rally.

5. BLOCK
This is the first line of defense in Volleyball. The objective of the "block" is to
stop the spiked ball from crossing the net or to channel the spike to defenders.
The three front-court players share blocking.

Teams usually opt for a "read and

react" block (whereby they try to react
to the ball leaving the setter's hands)
or for a "commit" block (whereby they
decide before the point whether to
jump on the quick middle balls).
The key to good blocking is
penetration – the best blockers reach
well over the net and into the
opponent's court rather than
reaching straight up, when the block
can be easily penetrated by
quality hitters.

VOLLEYBALL POSITIONS

1. Outside Hitter
PHED 104 – Team Sports Module II
 The outside hitter – also known as the left-side hitter – attacks from the left
antenna and requires a player with good jumping ability.

The outside hitter is often the focal point of the offense and completes most
of the attack hits. They must be able to adjust to sets coming from any
location, as well as hit from the front and back rows.

On defense, they often receive the serve. Many outside hitters possess good
back row skills and remain in the game for all rotations. They also work with
the middle hitter in blocking opponent’s shots.

Responsibilities:
- Play in both the front and back row.
- Be the go-to hitter.
- One of the primary passers.
- Read the opponent’s defense and call out hitters.
- Block, often with the middle blocker.

2. Opposite Hitter
This position – also known as the right-side hitter – plays near the right
antenna. Opposite hitters tend to be players who have the most versatility
and can excel on both offense and defense. The opposite hitter also needs to
possess solid jumping skills.

Opposite hitters must be able to hit the ball from the front and back rows.
They also need to be ready to set the ball if the setter cannot do it.
Defensively, they line up against the opponent’s outside hitter and need to
be able to work with the middle blocker on blocks.

Responsibilities:
- Act as a backup setter on offense.
- Attack the ball when receiving a set.
- Block opponent’s outside hitter.
- Work with the middle hitter on blocks.
- Dig for quick attacks.

3. Setter
This position is essentially the quarterback or point guard of the team. A
setter runs the team’s offense. They aim to receive the second touch, setting
it for an attacking player. Due to this responsibility, they need to have strong
communication skills as they direct the offense and make quick decisions on
the court.

A setter should be able to identify the opponent’s blockers and single out
which one is the weakest.

Since they can play in either the front or back row, setters need to be ready
to block, dig and receive a serve on defense.
PHED 104 – Team Sports Module II
 Responsibilities:
- Run the offense.
- Set the ball for teammates.
- Use a “dump shot” to keep opponents off balance.
- Be a vocal leader.
- Dig and block on defense.
- Identify blockers.

4. Middle Blocker/Hitter
This spot is known as either the middle blocker or middle hitter. The team’s
tallest athlete tends to play here. Their additional height can help the player
excel in this role.

On defense, the middle blocker blocks the center area of the net and has to
be ready for the opponent’s quick middle attacks. But they also need to move
to either side to help teammates close blocks with the opposite hitter and
outside hitter.

On offense, they play near the setter to execute fast attacks. The middle
hitter must be able to read the setter and adjust their approach to get the
most of their attack. They can also act as a decoy to help confuse opponents
and spread out their blockers.

Responsibilities:
- Read the opponent’s hitters to set up blocks.
- Block opponent’s shots.
- Use quick attacks on offense.
- Act as a decoy on offense.

5. Libero
This position focuses on defense. Liberos only play in the back row and often
receive the attack or serve. Players with good passing and defensive skills
have the most success at this position.

However, liberos do play a key role on offense. They need to be able to turn
the first touch into a solid pass to the setter. They also may need to set the
ball from the back row if the setter isn’t available.

Liberos can come in and out of the game as needed and do not count against
a team’s substitutions. They also wear different colored jerseys to distinguish
themselves from their teammates. But there are several things a libero cannot
do. They cannot block, set an attack from the front court or attack the ball
above the height of the net.
Responsibilities:
- Replace certain players in the back row.
- Be ready to dig an opponent’s attack.
- Receive the opponent’s serve.
PHED 104 – Team Sports Module II
 - Set the ball if the setter isn’t available.

6. Defensive Specialist
This is another spot that’s all about playing defense. Defensive specialists
come in to replace a player who may not have the right skills for the back
row. Unlike the libero, defensive specialists must make a substitution with
the referees. Since teams may only have a certain number of substitutions
depending on their league rules, defensive specialists are limited to certain
situations.

Another key difference between the libero and defensive specialists is that
defensive specialists can play any spot on the court. While a libero will sub
out after rotating through the back row, a defensive specialist can technically
stay in and play the front row if needed.

Responsibilities:
- Replace certain players in the back row.
- Be ready to dig or pursue.
- Be ready to play in the front row if needed.
- Play as a back-row hitter.

PHED 104 – Team Sports Module II

 ACTIVITY

Perform the following skills essentials in playing volleyball:

1. WALL VOLLEYING
a. Get a volley ball (borrow from your barangay hall if you
don't have your own)
b. Measure 5 feet and mark the wall.
c. Volley the ball back and forth to the wall. Make sure you
are hitting the 5 feet mark.
d. Your goal is 20 hits. Count as you hit the 5 feet mark on
the wall on a continuous manner. Once the ball drops, the
counting stops.
2. BALL CONTROL
a. Draw 2 circles around you on the floor (make sure the
floor is a flat surface and the vertical clearance of the
area is at least 10 feet from the floor). The 1st circle
should 11 feet diameter and 2nd circle should be 8 feet
diameter.
b. Volley the ball vertically in front of you with the height
of using your closed fist clasped together.
c. Your goal is 20 hits. For the first round, volley just within
the 8-diameter circle. When the ball is one foot above
you, start counting 1. Once the ball drops, the counting
stops.
d. For the second round, do the same ball control task, this
time with one meter approximately above you. Do this
within the 11 meter diameter circle. Once the ball drops,
the counting stops.

Authentic Scoring System

1 - 3 = 3 points
4 - 6 = 6 points
7 - 9 = 9 points
10 - 12 = 12 points
13 - 15 = 15 points
16 - 18 = 18 points
19 - 20 = 20 points

Note: RECORD YOUR PERFORMANCE. SUBMIT IN THE POSTED

ACTIVITY IN THE GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

PHED 104 – Team Sports Module II