Many companies have teams that play volleyball, either in a recreational league, at the company picnic, or in some other capacity. Volleyball is a game that many are familiar with but may not have ever learned how to play. Teaching your coworkers how to play volleyball should revolve around the very basics, so that you can start a game and keep it going without too many interruptions.
Step 1
Familiarize your coworkers with the equipment and the court. Let them hold and toss around the volleyball so they can get a feel for the size and weight of the ball. Take them to a court, so they can see how big the court is, how high the net is, and so they can get an idea of what they might need to wear when playing. The court measures 18 m long by 9 m wide and the net heights are different for men and women. Men play on a net that is 7 feet, 11.625 inches and women play on a 7-foot, 4.125 inches tall net. Coed teams play on a men's net.
Step 2
Teach them basic game objectives and scoring. Each team plays with six players on a side, three in a front row and three in the back. One team begins serving, starting with the player in the back right. The ball is served over the net, and the return team has three hits to try to pass the ball back over the net. The first team to fail to return the ball into their opponents court loses the point, and whichever team earned the previous point serves next. There are typically three games, played to 25, in each match, with teams needing to win two out of three games to win the match.
Step 3
Show them the basic techniques needed to play. The game starts with a serve, which is where the ball is tossed with one hand in the air, and then struck with the other hand over the head so the ball travels over the net. Serves can also be done with an underhand motion. Passing, sometimes called a bump, is how a player receives the ball. Cup one fist in the other hand so your forearms face upward, giving you a wide surface to pass the ball. Setting is done with two hands above the head, cradling the ball in your fingertips for a split second before pushing the ball back up into the air. Hitting, or a spike, is similar to an overhand serve, except you time the jump to hit the ball with a downward motion.
Tips and Warnings
- Playing volleyball helps people learn much faster than explaining. Let your coworkers play as you are teaching them so they can put the explanation into practice.
