Teaching volleyball to students with diverse physical abilities

Lesson Objective: The student will be able to demonstrate the component skills of volleyball: hitting the ball to a teammate and hitting the ball over a net

Student Population Characteristics: Students have a range of physical abilities

Grade Level and Subject Area: 7-12 / Physical Education

Activities and Strategies: A primary goal of this activity is to help students with physical limitations experience success and fun while engaging in the game of volleyball. It is paramount that the instructor create an environment in which it is safe for the students to express themselves, physically. One way to do this by introducing progressively smaller balloons/balls with each task. If a group has significant difficulty with a smaller size balloon/ball, reintroduce the next larger size.

  1. Divide students into groups of three. Give each group a large, inflated, rubberized balloon. Have the students see how many times they can hit the ballooon, without letting it touch the floor.

  2. Next, have each group practice hitting the ball over the net. They should each hit the balloon/ball once, with the third hit sending it over the net.

  3. Next, pair each group with another group of three and place them on opposite sides of the net. Instruct each group to continue hitting the ball over the net, as before, but now the other group will return it after they hit it.

  4. Next, combine two pairs of groups. The result is six students on each side of the net. Have the students hit the ball three times, with the third hit sending the balloon/ball over the net. It does not matter which three students hit the balloon/ball.

  5. Finally, the groups can be encouraged to hit the ball over the net while trying to make the other group miss it. Rules and strategies can be introduced as appropriate.

Resources and Materials: A variety of balls and brightly colored, inflated, rubberized balloons Volleyball net and standards

Al King is a former adaptive P.E. teacher who lives in Eugene, OR

This document was last updated 6/29/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth - Director