Children in elementary school are still developing motor skills and coordination while participating in sports. When playing with elementary aged kids, you might want to try mini-volleyball. This game has smaller teams, a smaller court and a lower net. When playing the game this way, you can set up multiple games at once, and each player on the court feels actively engaged in the game. Plus, if you play the game with a lightweight training volleyball, the kids will have a greater opportunity to learn the skills they will need to play more competitively in the future.
Toss-Toss-Throw
Particularly if you're working with younger elementary students, you want them to get used to the idea of touching the ball three times before it clears the net. Using smaller courts and teams no larger than four, try to get all of your students actively involved in the game. Set each court up with a single, lightweight ball, such as a dodgeball or a beach ball. Instruct the teams to start by having the serving team throw the ball across the net. One of the players on the opposing side catches the ball, tosses it to a teammate, who tosses it to another teammate, who then throws the ball over the net. If the ball isn't touched three times on a single side, or if the ball hits the ground between tosses or throws, the opposing team wins a point. Play to five before switching sides or rotating teams between courts. Encourage the players to use strategy to win each game.
Circle Bumping
Before using the circle bumping drill, demonstrate for the participants how to use proper form when bumping the ball. Split the kids up into groups of six to eight participants. Give each group a single, lightweight ball, such as a beach ball or a volleyball trainer. Have the group circle up with about 5 feet between each player. The player with the ball tosses the ball to another player on the circle. That player can bump the ball or catch and toss the ball, depending on her comfort level with the skill. The team continues bumping or catching and tossing the ball around the circle, counting the number of times they pass without the ball hitting the ground. For every bump of the ball, the team accumulates two points, and for every catch-and-toss the team accumulates one point. Play to 10 and then mix up teams.
Giant Volleyball
Set up four to six small courts, depending on the size of your gym and the number of participants. Lower the nets to 4 feet and play the game with an oversized training volleyball. Tell the players that all the normal volleyball rules apply: Teams must serve from behind the service line, the receiving team must pass the ball and get it back over the net with three or fewer touches, and if a ball hits the ground or goes out of bounds, the play is dead. Encourage passing, setting and hitting, but you can designate certain courts as catching and tossing courts, where you allow catching and tossing to occur. This will help even the most timid volleyball players develop their hand-eye coordination and reflexes when reacting to the incoming ball. Play each game to 10 using rally points and then rotate teams between courts.
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