4 minute read
Volleyball for all
Getting children into the early stages of this Olympic and Paralympic sport is easier than you think, writes Stewart Thorpe of Volleyball England.
on’t let the balloon
Dtouch the floor! Whose children haven’t played that ridiculously fun game? I bet there aren’t many.
The balloon lava game, as it is known by some, is easy to set up and adaptable to the space you have and the skill level of the players. It can begin with little more than a balloon left over from a birthday party and will really get the body moving and the heart rate up. And, best of all, it can lead to hours and hours of fun. You might not think it at first, but this straightforward game is the ideal stepping stone for getting young children into one of the world’s most popular Olympic sports: volleyball.
FROM LAVA TO GRASS, RUBBER, SAND OR SNOW!
In volleyball, two teams of six players are separated by a net and try to score points by hitting a volleyball over a net and grounding the ball on the other team’s side of the court. Instead of imagining the floor is covered in lava, players set up matches in leisure centres and school sports halls or outside on grass in local parks.
Different versions of the game have also been created, meaning the game is played on sandy beaches and, in recent years, snow too! In short, from the balloon lava game to the full team sport of volleyball, the aim of the game shifts from don’t let the balloon touch the floor to don’t let the ball touch the floor.
Such is volleyball’s versatility that a special version of the game called sitting volleyball has been developed for disabled and nondisabled players. As the name suggests, players are sat down (they must have always at least one butt cheek on the floor), but despite what the name suggests, this Paralympic sport is far from stationary.
Volleyball is played all over the world and is one of the most popular participation sports in Europe and East Asia. While it may not be as big as football and cricket in England, because volleyball is a non-contact sport that sees boys and girls from different backgrounds playing together on the court, it’s so diverse and inclusive and has huge potential. We very much believe it is a sleeping giant in this country.
GET INTO VOLLEYBALL: UNDER 7s
For children up to the age of 7 – for which the balloon lava game is ideal for introducing them to volleyball – the focus is less on playing sport than learning the fundamentals of sport. Skills such as moving, jumping and running, as well as throwing, tracking and catching the ball, are all important in dealing with a variety of physical environments.
Learning these will give children a great base to work from as they then start to learn to dig, set and – one of the most exciting elements of volleyball – spike the ball! (Did you know that top volleyball players can hit the ball as fast as 80mph?) If your children are looking for something a little more advanced, try setting up a small sitting volleyball court at home using little more than a few cushions and your trusty balloon. Search “Kristoff and Anna’s Snowball Volleyball” for simple instructions on how to get started. Many families pack an inflatable ball and even a pop-up net to play volleyball on holiday – another great way to introduce them to the game, just make sure to start with softer, lightweight balls to begin with.
OVER 7s
From the age of 7, budding athletes can think about joining their first club. In 2021, Volleyball England launched a new national programme for children aged 7-11 called Volley2s that starts with a simple throw-andcatch version of the game to gradually introduce players to the full game. After all, keeping a ball up in the air is much tougher than a balloon! Clubs with junior sections are starting to introduce this programme and, if you have a young volleyball star who wants to develop their interest, search Volleyball England Club Finder to find somewhere to play near you.
OVER 12s
If your child is aged 12 or above, try introducing them to the popular Japanese Manga series Haiyku!!, which is about a boy who is determined to become a great player despite his small stature. This series has led to a huge surge in interest in junior volleyball across England.
This year is also a particularly exciting time for volleyball, as beach volleyball will be played at the Commonwealth Games that are taking place in Birmingham. England has a group of very talented athletes who will showcase beach volleyball and give many people their first taste of the sport. Such is the talent in the England setup that we’re also working hard to challenge for medals in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
There are many different ways of getting into volleyball. Best of all, you can start right now with simple versions of the game that are great for anyone, regardless of age (I’m talking to you here parents and carers) to play together. All you have to remember is one key rule – don’t let the ball touch the floor!
Volleyball England is the national governing body for indoor volleyball, sitting volleyball and beach volleyball in England. It selects the national teams and coordinates several national competitions, including the National Volleyball League, National Cup, Student Cup and Sitting Volleyball competitions. For more information, visit:
