Four Square Volleyball

Learning Outcomes

To have students practice the skill of underhand volleying. To practice contacting a ball with flat body surfaces such as palm, fist, or forearm. To develop teamwork and communication.

Description Of Activity

This activity can be performed with a similar rotation to a 4-square game, or it can be simplified with no rotation. We strongly recommend that there is a court for each 4 students so that students are not standing in line waiting to get into the game like in the traditional 4-square activity.

One person stands on each outside boundary of the 4-square court. They can choose to be as close or as far away from the line as they choose. If you choose the 4-square rotation idea, designate each side by a number so that students who make miscues can rotate to side number 4. There are cones located in each corner. Similar to soccer goalies, the student between each 2 cones is protecting their "goal line" (the outside boundary line of the court). Each court has 4 goals (and 4 players).

Once the ball is in play, the object is to keep it from bouncing on the ground beyond your "goal line". Any player allowing the ball to cross their goal line and bounce rotates to side number 4. Servers announce "Ready" before a serve is made, and they must start by serving to the person directly across from them. After the serve is made, players can strike the ball in ANY direction they desire. To serve the ball, the server must bounce the ball and contact with the palm of their hand or the flat side of the fist as in handball. Players must rotate to side 4 if they catch the ball or if their shot bounces two times in the 4-square box before crossing a goal line.

On any balls close to the line or on the line where the call is unclear, have the students replay the ball.

Variations

Although scoring is not necessary, to meet the possible needs of highly skilled students here are two suggestions:

If students do not choose to rotate then every time the ball crosses and bounces beyond your goal line, you receive a point. Lowest score wins.
If using the 4-square rotation system, a point is awarded to the server for each time you serve and are able to stay in your serving position (side one). Highest score wins.

Equipment/Material Required

4 square courts (One for each 4 students-therefore no waiting or elimination), 4-18" cones (or larger) for each court, Soft ball to volley (we use an 8.5" Gatorskin ball) for each court.