Team Play and Sportsmanship

This lesson focuses on team play and sportsmanship in youth volleyball by organizing a friendly match to incorporate all skills learned and emphasize fair play.
By mark
Part of SUSD 2025 - Youth Volleyball
Public

Lesson Steps

Overview
1
Warm-Up and Stretching
15 minutes
2
Team Play Strategies
20 minutes
3
Sportsmanship Discussion
15 minutes
4
Friendly Match Setup
10 minutes
5
Friendly Match
30 minutes
6
Debrief and Feedback
10 minutes
Show All Steps

Lesson Overview

Welcome to the final chapter of our youth volleyball journey, where the focus shifts to the heart of the game: team play and sportsmanship. This lesson invites you to engage in a friendly match that not only showcases the skills you've honed but also highlights the importance of fair play and camaraderie. As you step onto the court, remember that volleyball is not just about individual talent, but about how well you can communicate, cooperate, and support your teammates.

The goals of this session are to reinforce the fundamentals of volleyball while emphasizing the intangible values that make a team successful. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate effective teamwork and collaboration on the court.
  • Showcase the skills learned throughout the course in a game setting.
  • Exhibit sportsmanship by respecting opponents, officials, and teammates.

Key Objectives

Key Objectives
  • Develop effective communication skills among team members to enhance coordination during the game.
  • Emphasize the importance of sportsmanship, including respect for opponents and officials, and playing with integrity.
  • Encourage strategic thinking and problem-solving on the court to handle dynamic game situations.
  • Ensure all players are familiar with fundamental volleyball skills such as serving, passing, setting, and spiking.
  • Prioritize player safety by teaching proper warm-up exercises and injury prevention techniques.
  • Foster an inclusive environment where all participants feel valued and motivated to contribute to the team's success.
  • Prepare participants for the friendly match by reviewing game rules and ensuring all players understand their roles and responsibilities.
Equipment Required
  • Volleyball net and poles
  • Regulation volleyballs
  • Whistle for the referee
  • Scoreboard or scorekeeping materials
  • Team jerseys or pinnies for identification
  • First aid kit
  • Water bottles and hydration station
  • Cones for marking boundaries and warm-up activities
Step 1 of 6

Warm-Up and Stretching

15 minutes

Begin the session with a series of warm-up exercises and stretches to prepare the players physically and mentally. These exercises focus on increasing heart rate, enhancing flexibility, and reducing the risk of injury.

  • Jogging: Start with a light jog around the court to increase blood flow and warm up muscles.
  • Dynamic Stretches: Incorporate movements such as arm circles, leg swings, and high knees to enhance flexibility.
  • Volleyball-Specific Drills: Perform exercises like jumping jacks and quick side shuffles to mimic movements used in volleyball.
  • Partner Stretches: Pair up players to perform partner-assisted stretches focusing on the arms, shoulders, and legs.

Encourage players to focus on their breathing and engage in positive mental preparation by visualizing successful plays and teamwork.

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Step 2 of 6

Team Play Strategies

20 minutes

Focus on developing strategies that enhance collaboration and communication among players. Facilitate a session where players brainstorm and practice these strategies:

  • Communication Drills: Practice verbal and non-verbal communication. Use specific calls for different plays and ensure players make eye contact during exchanges.
  • Role Assignment: Assign roles such as setter, spiker, and libero. Discuss the responsibilities and how each role supports the team.
  • Formation Practice: Organize players into different formations. Practice transitioning between formations during a rally to improve adaptability.
  • Trust Building Exercise: Conduct exercises that require players to rely on each other, such as blindfolded passing drills, to build trust and enhance team cohesion.
  • Problem-Solving Scenarios: Present hypothetical game scenarios. Encourage players to devise and discuss strategies to overcome challenges collaboratively.

Encourage players to implement these strategies during the friendly match to improve team dynamics and performance.

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Step 3 of 6

Sportsmanship Discussion

15 minutes

Facilitate a group discussion on sportsmanship to emphasize its significance in youth volleyball. Encourage players to share their thoughts and experiences.

  • Start by asking the players: "What does sportsmanship mean to you?"
  • Discuss examples of good sportsmanship and how they positively impact the team and the game.
  • Explore how sportsmanship affects team dynamics and communication during matches.
  • Encourage players to share personal experiences where sportsmanship improved their game or team morale.
  • Highlight the importance of respect for teammates, opponents, and officials.
  • Conclude by discussing ways to demonstrate sportsmanship in the upcoming friendly match.
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Step 4 of 6

Friendly Match Setup

10 minutes

Organize players into balanced teams for a friendly volleyball match. Aim for an even distribution of skill levels to foster collaboration and ensure a fair and engaging game. Follow these steps to set up the teams:

  • Gather all players in a circle and announce the start of the team setup.
  • Assess skill levels based on previous practices and recent performance.
  • Divide players into groups, ensuring each team has a mix of advanced, intermediate, and beginner players.
  • Assign each team a unique identifier, such as a color or number, for easy recognition.
  • Encourage players to introduce themselves within their teams to build rapport before the match begins.
  • Remind players of the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship during the game.

Ensure that all players understand their roles and the expectations for the upcoming match. Foster a positive and inclusive environment where every participant feels valued and motivated to contribute to their team’s success.

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Step 5 of 6

Friendly Match

30 minutes

Conduct a friendly volleyball match to provide players with an opportunity to apply the skills they have learned and to demonstrate sportsmanship. Follow these steps to ensure a successful match:

  • Team Formation: Ensure that teams are balanced by skill level. Encourage players to support one another and work together.
  • Match Rules: Review the basic rules of volleyball and emphasize the importance of fair play and respect for all participants, including opponents and referees.
  • Game Play: Allow players to implement various team strategies discussed in earlier lessons. Encourage communication and collaboration among team members.
  • Sportsmanship: Highlight examples of good sportsmanship during the match. Praise players for positive attitudes, respect, and fair play.
  • Reflection: At the end of the match, encourage players to shake hands with opponents and share what they enjoyed about the game.

This activity not only reinforces volleyball skills but also cultivates a positive team environment and highlights the value of sportsmanship in sports.

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Step 6 of 6

Debrief and Feedback

10 minutes

Guide the players through a reflective session after the match. Encourage them to share their thoughts on the game by discussing the following points:

  • Identify specific moments in the match where teamwork and communication were effective. How did these moments contribute to the team's success?
  • Reflect on instances of sportsmanship observed during the match. How did these actions impact team morale and the overall game atmosphere?
  • Discuss any challenges faced during the game. What strategies could be implemented in future matches to overcome similar obstacles?
  • Highlight personal and team achievements during the match. How can these be built upon in future practices and games?
  • Encourage players to give constructive feedback to their teammates, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement.

Conclude the session by reiterating the importance of team play and sportsmanship in volleyball, emphasizing continuous improvement and mutual respect among players.

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