Sitting Volleyball Partner Movement and Passing

A sitting volleyball skill progression based on the Paralympic sport: move while seated using hands and hips and, without standing up, set and bump with a partner over a low rope. Students build trunk and arm coordination and empathy for adapted sports.

How to play

1. Explain the key rule: when contacting the ball, your bottom must be touching the floor. Stretch a long rope about 3 feet high between two tall cones or posts (2 min).
2. Movement (4 min): seated, move forward, backward, and sideways by pushing with hands and heels between two cones 13 feet apart.
3. Passing in place (4 min): partners sit 6-10 feet apart on opposite sides of the rope and set and bump over it.
4. Passing on the move (4 min): one partner sends the ball to one side and the other scoots over seated to play it back.
5. Wrap-up (1 min): discuss what was hardest and how the game changes compared with standing volleyball.

Rules

• Your bottom must be on the floor at the moment of contact.
• Work on a clean, smooth floor and empty your pockets.
• Do not drag your partner, and nobody scoots over another person.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: this format allows full participation; shorten distances if movement is limited.
• Visual impairment: use a beeper ball or a bright ball and call out before each send.
• Developing players: use a soft ball and shorten the distance to 5 feet.

Learning goals

• Move efficiently while seated using hands and legs.
• Set and bump from a seated position.
• Value adapted sports as activities for every student.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 13
• long rope: 3
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Slick athletic pants make scooting easier, so give students a heads-up the class before. Play seated yourself to show it is not a lesser version of the sport.

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