Volleyball Study Guide

• The object of the game is to keep the volleyball, which is served over the net, from hitting the floor on your side. Teams want to return it so that it hits the floor on the opponent’s side.
• Volleyball is a fast-paced game with constant jumping and running. This is why it is a great form of physical activity. It also requires mental alertness because one must quickly react when the ball comes over the net.
• The top of the volleyball net is positioned eight feet from the ground.
• There are six players per team on the court at one time (three in the front row and three in the back row).
• No player may hit the ball two times in sequence.
• Once the ball is put into play, it is “volleyed” back and forth between the teammates up to three times before it must be hit over the net to the other team.
• A player may not touch the net.
• Servers should not step on the end line and need to get the ball over the net without help from another teammate.
• If the ball falls to the floor, is hit out of bounds, or a team commits a foul (rests the ball on any part of their body, a player double hits the ball in sequence, a player reaches over the net or touches the net, etc.) the team who made the mistake does not get the next serve. Additionally, the team who did not make the mistake gets a point.
• The first team to 25 points wins the game. However, a team must win by two points. A match consists of winning two out of three or three out of five games.
• Serve—The method of putting the ball into play over the net by striking it with one’s hand. The player in the right back position serves from behind the end line.
• Foot Fault—In the act of serving, the server steps on or over the end line. This causes the ball to be turned over to the other team.
• Side out—The serving team fails to win a point or plays the ball illegally. As a result, they turn the serve over to the other team.
• Rotation—Shifting of the players clockwise upon gaining the ball from the opponents and winning the right to serve.
• Bump—A form of legal contact with the ball where it bounces or bumps off of the forearms, wrists, or clasped hands below the chest. It is usually used for receiving serves and spiked balls.
• Set—A form of legal contact with the ball used to place the ball near the net to make an attack possible. A set uses an overhand pass (a pass made by contacting the ball above the head with the fingers).
• Spike—A difficult play in volleyball where the player runs, jumps, and hits the ball with an opened hand, to a specific spot on the other side of the net.
• Block—An attempt by a defensive player to get in the way of a hard shot at the net by the opposing team. A block does not count as one of the three hits a team is allowed.
  

Moving With The Chute!

The students performed simple stretching and strengthening exercises with the parachute one week, and a wider variety of them the next. Everyone always enjoys the excitement that builds when we move with the parachute. The kindergarten and first graders had lots of fun making milkshakes, popcorn, ocean waves, mushrooms, and bubbles with it. These basic parachute activities got us acquainted with it and stretched/strengthened our arm muscles. The second, third, fourth, and fifth graders used these same movements in more complex games. One of the second and third grade favorites was Parachute Golf. They had to work together in teams to shake and move the parachute, causing the ball to fall through the hole. It was interesting to see their strategies to accomplish this goal! The fourth and fifth graders played Parachute Steal The Bacon. This was a race between two teams who tried to steal the bacon (a beanbag) before the other. However, this student could be stopped by tagging him/her, thus giving the other team the points. This was all done while the rest of the students moved the parachute. The following week, we used the parachute to dance. Each grade raised the parachute and performed a wide variety of dance steps to music. The kindergarten and first graders shook the parachute fast and slow, then marched in a circle to the song "Jingle Bells." The second and third graders carried out side steps and swaying to the song "All Star," while quickly moving the parachute and forming mushrooms. The fourth and fifth graders did a full dance routine to the song, "Get The Party Started." It took some practice, but after a few tries they performed it quite smoothly. It was a fun dancing, stretching, and strengthening day for all!

Physical Fitness Fun!

The students learned that physical fitness is based on an investment of time and effort.
Each class had lots of fun playing games that involved plenty of movement. They now understand that if they continue pursuing similar activities, over time, they will see an improvement in their physical stamina. The Three Bears was a running game the kindergarten and first graders enjoyed. As Goldilocks, they anxiously awaited the signal of Papa Bear to run to the other side of the gym! Those who were tagged loved playing the role of Mama, Baby or Papa Bear. The second and third graders were quite active in the game Spiders and Flies. One student was the fly, in the middle, with his/her eyes closed. The spider popped up when he/she thought it was a good time to catch some fly food! All other students were the flies and tried to outrun the spider to a baseline. The anticipation of when the fly would pop up added a great deal of excitement to the game! Finally, the fourth and fifth graders played Ultimate Frisbee. This involved running up and down to the goal lines and quickly passing the frisbee to teammates. Their offensive and defensive skills improved, along with their development of physical fitness.