3v3 Mini-Volleyball with Set Passes
Small-sided 3v3 mini-volleyball on small courts, with a bonus for building the play with a set. Students practice the overhead set, moving under the ball and working together to keep the rally going.
How to play
- Set up 4 courts about 15 x 20 ft with a net or rope at about 7 ft. Make teams of three (with a sub if needed) and give each court a ball (3 min).
- Set the ball around a triangle for 4 minutes, hands making a "window" above the forehead.
- Game: underhand serve (or a toss if that's too hard). Up to 3 contacts per team, with one bounce on the floor allowed after the first contact.
- 1 point for winning the rally and 1 bonus point if the team uses 3 contacts with a set as the second. When a team wins back the serve, it rotates clockwise.
- 4-minute games; winners move up a court and losers move down to face new opponents (16 min). Wrap up for 2 minutes on which contact gave the most control.
Rules
- Clean contacts: no holding the ball and no player touches it twice in a row.
- The bounce after the first contact can be used only once per rally.
- Safety: the player going for the ball calls "Mine!" to avoid collisions.
Variations
Easier
The second contact may be a catch followed by an upward toss to a teammate.
Standard
Three contacts, one bounce allowed and a bonus point for a set.
Harder
No bounce, and the third contact must land in a back zone marked with cones.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays by the net and always receives the ball after a bounce.
- Shyness: stable teacher-picked groups that rotate between just two nearby courts.
- Skill level: a foam ball or lighter trainer volleyball.
Learning goals
- Perform an overhead set by getting under the ball.
- Build a three-contact play with teammates.
- Decide when and where to send the ball over.
Equipment for a class of 25
- volleyball: 4
- net: 4
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
The typical mistake is slapping with the palms and stiff arms; cue students to bend their knees and extend arms and legs together. Use soft trainer volleyballs so fingers don't get hurt.
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