SHAPE STANDARDS
S1.E22.3- Volleys an object with an underhand or sidearm striking pattern, sending it forward over a net, to the wall or over a line to a partner while demonstrating 4 of the 5 critical elements of a mature pattern.
S4.E2.3- Works independently for extended periods of time.

CASEL STANDARDS
Self-Management: Goal Setting

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

 

Objective: Serve underhand to a target

Volleyball Unit | Level 15

TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to serve underhand to a target.

IMPORTANCE
Serving underhand to a target is important because it improves your accuracy and aim. When you can control where you want the ball to go, you increase your chances at scoring on your opponent.

VOCABULARY
Underhand serve: the first hit to begin play that is hit from below the waist.

When serving underhand to a target, it is important to:

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1. Face your target with your opposite foot forward.

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2. Hold the ball in the palm of your opposite hand down by your knees.

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3. Swing your arm back and hit the ball with your palm (open hand).

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4. Follow through with your striking arm towards your target.

 

PRACTICE

  1. I will divide students into teams of two. One team will line up on the baseline shoulder-to-shoulder with a ball and the other team will line up shoulder-to-shoulder on the midline. When I say, "GO!" serve the ball aiming towards the midline. After everyone serves, the opposing team will retrieve a ball and serve from the midline.  
  2. Repeat as many times as needed.

AMEBA

TIME
15-25 minutes

NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions

EQUIPMENT
1 volleyball per student
1 net
Optional: 3 hula-hoops

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Ameba. In this game, the Ameba is growing larger and larger. Your goal is to serve underhand to the Ameba to help it grow.

INSTRUCTIONS

  • I will select three amebas.
  • The amebas will start on one side of the net and lay down on their stomachs. 
  • Everyone else will stand on the opposing side of the net with a ball.
  • When I say, “GO!” serve your ball underhand over the net. 
  • If your ball hits the ameba, go over to the other side and connect to it by holding hands or linking arms.
  • If your ball does not hit the ameba, retrieve your ball and try again.
  • The ameba must remain laying on the ground, but can move their arms and legs.
  • We will begin a new game when everyone is part of the ameba.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Increase or decrease the amount of amebas that start off in the beginning of the game based on difficulty.
Variation: Add whirlpools (hula-hoops). If a ball lands in a whirlpool everyone has to reset.
Exit Ticket: Students serve underhand to the teacher to catch and put the equipment away.

 

TEACHING TIPS

  • Approach:
    • If serving is too difficult, have students move closer to the net.
  • 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: 
    • Name one of two things that serving underhand to a target helps you improve?
    • How do you think you can get better at serving underhand?

WHACK-A-MOLE

TIME
15-25 minutes

NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4-24 students per game

EQUIPMENT
1 volleyball per 2 students
24 tall cones
5 dots
Optional: net

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Whack-a-Mole. Your goal is to serve underhand to a target, aiming to whack-a-mole (knock down a tall cone) on the other side.   

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.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above. Do not keep score.
Game 2: Keep score. At the end of each round count how many cones have been knocked down. If students serve a ball and it lands in a hula-hoop it is worth double points.
Game 3: Change the location of the cones. (Have all the cones bunched together in the middle, make a shape with the cones, put the cones in a border around the outside, etc.)    
Variation: To increase difficulty, use a net instead of short cones.
Exit Ticket: Students serve underhand to the teacher catch and put the equipment away.

 

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: 
    • Name one of two things that serving underhand to a target helps you improve?
    • How do you think you can get better at serving underhand?

BREAKOUT

TIME
15-25 minutes

NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4-30 students per game

EQUIPMENT
1 volleyball per student
10 short cones
Optional: net

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Breakout. Your goal is to serve underhand to a prisoner, to help them all escape from prison (behind the end line). 

INSTRUCTIONS

  • I will select two escapees and one prison guard.
  • The rest of you will be prisoners.
  • Before the game begins, prisoners must line up in the prison.
  • When I say, “GO!” the escapees will underhand serve the volleyball to the prisoners.
  • The prison guards will try and block the serves.
  • Prison guards cannot go past the end line.
  • When a prisoner catches a ball or grabs one on the ground, he/she can join the escapees.
  • We will begin a new game once all the prisoners have been freed.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Increase or decrease the amount of prison guards and/or escapees.
Game 3: To increase difficulty, have prisoners kneel or crouch like a frog instead of stand. 
Game 4: To increase difficulty, prisoners can only catch a volleyball in order to be freed.
Exit Ticket: Students serve underhand to the teacher to catch and put the equipment away.

 

TEACHING TIPS

  • Approach:
    • If serving is too difficult, have students move closer to the net.
  • 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: 
    • Name one of two things that serving underhand to a target helps you improve?
    • How do you think you can get better at serving underhand?