Giant Ball Video Review of Defensive Coverage
A three-team giant ball game in which each team records its catches on a tablet, reviews them during a break, and adjusts its defensive coverage using an observation sheet. Students work on using digital devices and on tactical analysis.
How to play
- Set up a 20 x 20 m (about 65 x 65 ft) court with cones and form three teams of four on the court in three colors of pinnies; the rest of the class splits into groups of four as each color's video crew.
- Explain the sheet: on every serve, note whether the defense was in a diamond, in a line, or scattered, where the ball came from, and whether it was caught before touching the floor.
- First 7-minute round: play with school giant ball rules; each video crew records only its color's receptions in clips of about 10 seconds.
- 5-minute break: each team watches its clips with its video crew, tallies on the sheet how many balls dropped in each zone, and proposes one specific positioning change.
- Second 7-minute round with the changes in place; players and video crews switch roles so everyone plays and films.
Rules
- Video crews film from outside the court, 3 m (10 ft) from the line, and never step in for a shot.
- Film the play only; clips are deleted at the end of class and are not shared outside the class.
- Look around before going for the ball so you do not collide with anyone.
Variations
Easier
Play two teams instead of three and only note on the sheet whether the ball dropped.
Standard
Three teams, video of receptions, and a sheet tracking coverage and drop zones.
Harder
In addition, each team calculates its catch percentage and sets a numeric improvement goal for the second round.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can run the tablet and sheet for their team, or play as one of the three players holding the ball on the serve.
- For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, pair the color call with a raised pinnie in that color.
- Students with lower fitness can rotate into the video crew more often.
Learning goals
- Use a tablet to record and review game play.
- Analyze simple data to spot positioning errors.
- Apply tactical changes based on observation.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Giant ball: 1
- Pinnies: 12
- Tablets: 3
- Observation checklists: 6
- Cones: 8
Teacher tip
Have the tablets charged with the camera open before class; if you do not have enough, one per team is fine.
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