Read the Serve: Short or Deep

Passers have to predict whether the serve will land short or deep and call it before it crosses the net. Students practice reading the ball's flight, the first step toward the ball, and balanced forearm passing.

How to play

1. Use cones to mark a line 10 ft from the net (short zone) and another at 20 ft (deep zone) on each side (2 min).
2. Set up groups of 4 per half court: two servers on one side and two passers on the other (1 min).
3. Servers mix short and deep serves without warning; the passer calls "short" or "deep" before the ball passes the net and moves forward or back (6 min).
4. Scoring: 1 point for a correct call and 1 more point if the forearm pass goes high and drops near the net.
5. Every 6 serves, players switch roles on their side, and after 7 min servers and passers switch sides (7 min).
6. To finish, talk with the group about which cues gave the serve away (server's position, height of contact) and record the best score (4 min).

Rules

• The call must be made before the ball crosses the net; calls after that don't count.
• The passer always starts in a ready position with knees bent.
• Only one player serves at a time, and only when the passer is ready.
• If a ball rolls onto another court, shout "Ball!" and play stops.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student only reads and calls, and a partner does the pass.
• Autism: preview the role order on a card and always use the same call words.
• Lower fitness level: shorten the court to 20 ft deep to reduce running.

Learning goals

• Anticipate the serve's flight by watching the server.
• Take the first step in the right direction before passing.
• Forearm pass with the body balanced behind the ball.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 12
• net: 1
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

Remind students to watch the server's arm and body, not just the ball. If servers give it away with their eyes, have them always look at the middle of the court.

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