Mid-Tournament Incident Drill: Activate the Protocol

During a class-run volleyball mini-tournament, the teacher triggers simulated incidents without warning (a sprained ankle, a fainting spell, a verbal fight, a lost child). The volunteer team must apply the event protocol: protect, alert and assist, clear the area and restart the tournament.

How to play

1. Review the protect-alert-assist protocol and assign volunteer jobs: court manager, teacher liaison, first aid post with the kit and restart manager (4 min).
2. Start the four-on-four volleyball mini-tournament on three courts with 5-minute games; volunteers rotate between playing and being on duty (6 min).
3. First incident: a player with a secret card fakes a sprained ankle; volunteers respond and the response is timed while the other courts keep playing (5 min).
4. Second and third incidents on other courts: a simulated fainting spell and an argument between teams that the court manager must mediate (8 min).
5. Review with the protocol sheet: what went well, what was missing and how long it took to restart (5 min).
6. Update the action plan for the real event with the improvements (2 min).

Rules

• In the fainting drill nobody moves the victim: check responsiveness and breathing, and use the recovery position only if appropriate.
• Play on the affected court stops immediately and players move away.
• Incidents are acted out without dropping to the ground: the actor sits first, then lies down.
• Nobody really calls 911: the call is simulated out loud using the script.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: takes the liaison job or times the response.
• Anxiety about emergencies: starts as an observer with the sheet and is told everything is simulated.
• Hearing impairment: agree on a visual emergency signal, such as crossed arms overhead, in addition to voice.

Learning goals

• Apply the protect-alert-assist protocol at a sports event.
• Coordinate the roles of a volunteer team when the unexpected happens.
• Keep calm and keep other participants safe during an incident.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 3
• cones: 12
• pinnies: 12
• first aid kit: 1
• cards: 6

Teacher tip

Prepare the incident cards with clear instructions on how to act them out safely. This session fits right before the real sports day or league the group is organizing.

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