ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

Objective: Serve underhand for distance

Volleyball Unit | Level 9

TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to serve underhand for distance.

IMPORTANCE
Serving underhand for distance is important because it is how each play begins in volleyball. Serving for distance increases your upper body strength and endurance.

VOCABULARY
Serve: the first hit to begin play.

When serving underhand for distance, it is important to:

PRACTICE

1. I will divide the class into teams of two. Ro Sham Bo to decide who will go first. Line up shoulder-to-shoulder on the baseline with your ball. When I say, "GO!" hit your ball aiming towards the end line. After you have hit the ball, your teammate will retrieve it and bring it back to the baseline. Switch roles.
2. Repeat as many times as needed.

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Swampy River II. In this game, your goal is to serve underhand for distance across the swampy river before the alligator snatches your ball. 

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide the class into two teams.  
• The students at the baseline will start with the volleyball first.
• When I say, “GO!” serve the ball underhand so that it goes across the swampy river.  
• If your ball falls into the river, quickly retrieve it before an alligator eats it.
• Once the ball is served over the river, the other side gets a chance to serve.
• The river will widen at the beginning of each game.
• You must stay behind the river boundary when you are serving.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach:
  • Let students serve the ball at least three times before widening the river.
• ELL Accommodation: 
  • Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
  • Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
• SpEd Accommodation: 
  • Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications. 
  • Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
  • Allow students extra time to master the skill.
• Reflection:
  • Why is serving important in volleyball?
  • What was the most difficult part about trying to serve for distance?

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Whack-a-Mole. Your goal is to whack-a-mole (knock down a tall cone) by serving underhand for distance.   

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide the class into teams of two – servers and retrievers.
• Before the game begins, servers will spread out onto their side of the field with a ball.
• Retrievers will line up on either sideline on the opposite side.
• When I say, “GO!” servers must serve the ball underhand to the other side.
• Retrievers must roll back any served balls to the servers.
• If a cone is knocked down, retrievers must take the cone back to the sideline.  
• At the end of five minutes, servers and retrievers will switch roles.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach:
  • Remind retrievers to roll back balls on the outside of the court and not in the middle.  
• ELL Accommodation: 
  • Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
  • Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
• SpEd Accommodation: 
  • Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications. 
  • Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
  • Allow students extra time to master the skill.
• Reflection:
  • Why is serving important in volleyball?
  • What was the most difficult part about trying to serve for distance?

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Lottery. Your goal is to serve underhand for distance and be the first student to reach 500 points.  

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide the class into groups of six.
• Ro Sham Bo to decide who will serve first.
• Before the game begins, spread out onto the field so that you are not touching anyone else.
• When I say, “GO!” the server will underhand serve the lottery ball into the field.
• After the lottery ball is served, the server has three seconds to call out how many points the ball is worth.
• Points must be either: 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500.
• If a student catches the ball, he/she gets the allotted number of points.
• If a server yells, “Bankrupt!” and a student catches the lottery ball, he/she starts back at 0. 
• Students cannot push, shove or take the lottery ball out of another student’s hands.
• Each student must keep track of his/her points.
•  The first student to get to 500 wins the lottery and becomes the server.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach:
  • For larger classes, split the field into four rectangles so four different games can be played at the same time.  
  • If students are not getting a chance to throw, rotate throwers each round.
• ELL Accommodation: 
  • Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
  • Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
• SpEd Accommodation: 
  • Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications. 
  • Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
  • Allow students extra time to master the skill.
• Reflection:
  • Why is serving important in volleyball?
  • What was the most difficult part about trying to serve for distance?