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Basic 5 · Physical Education · Rhythmic Skills

Striking a Dropping Ball to a Teammate

In this topic you will strike a dropping light ball upward and forward to a teammate using the hands or feet.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Strike a dropping ball with the hands (volley)
  • Strike a dropping ball with the foot (juggle and pass)
  • Pass accurately to a teammate

What you already know

  • Manipulative skills

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Motor Skill And Movement Patterns
Sub-strand
Rhythmic Skills
Indicator
B5.1.6.1.6 – Strike a dropping light ball upward and forward to a teammate using the hands or feet

Introduction

In volleyball, players hit the ball upward to a teammate before it touches the ground. In football, players juggle and volley the ball. These skills need good timing and control.

1. Striking with the Hands (Volley)

  1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent.
  2. Raise your hands above your forehead, fingers spread, making a "window" with thumbs and index fingers.
  3. Watch the ball through the window as it drops.
  4. Contact the ball with your fingertips (not palms) just above your forehead.
  5. Push upward and forward by straightening your arms and legs towards your teammate.

2. The Forearm Pass (Dig)

For a low ball, join your hands together, keep your arms straight and make a flat platform with your forearms. Bend your knees and let the ball hit your forearms. Lift gently with your legs to send it upward to your teammate.

A pupil volleying a light ball upward with fingertips
Figure 1: The overhead volley Draw the hand position for a volley.Illustration: Sirbus

3. Striking with the Foot

Drop the ball from your hands and strike it with the top of your foot (laces) or the inside of your foot just before it touches the ground. Keep your ankle firm and your eyes on the ball. Aim it upward and forward to your partner's chest so they can catch or control it.

4. Practice Drills

Drills
DrillDescription
self-volleyvolley the ball upward to yourself 10 times
partner volleyvolley back and forth with a partner 3 metres away
circle volleya group of 5 keeps the ball up in a circle
foot jugglekeep the ball up with your feet; count the touches
drop-kick passdrop the ball and kick it to a partner

5. Timing

Timing means striking the ball at the right moment. Move under the ball early, get ready before it arrives and keep your eyes on it until contact. Good timing makes passes accurate.

New words

strike
To hit.
volley
To hit a ball before it touches the ground.
forearm pass
Hitting the ball with the forearms joined.
juggle
To keep the ball in the air with repeated touches.
timing
Striking at the right moment.
accuracy
Sending the ball exactly where intended.

Summary

  • Volley with fingertips above the forehead.
  • Use a forearm pass for low balls.
  • Strike with the laces or inside of the foot and keep the ankle firm.
  • Good timing and watching the ball give accurate passes.

Class activity: Keep It Up

  1. Form a circle of five.
  2. Keep the ball in the air using volleys and forearm passes.
  3. Count the touches and try to beat your record.

You need: Locally made ball, Plastic-bottle targets, Sticks of chalk

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Hitting a ball before it touches the ground is a…

    • A. volley
    • B. roll
    • C. bounce
    • D. throw
    Show answer
    Answer: volleyUsed in volleyball.

  2. 2. Which part of the hand contacts the ball in a volley?

    • A. Fingertips
    • B. Palm
    • C. Fist
    • D. Elbow
    Show answer
    Answer: FingertipsFor control.

  3. 3. For a low ball in volleyball, use a…

    • A. forearm pass
    • B. header
    • C. overhead smash
    • D. throw
    Show answer
    Answer: forearm passAlso called a dig.

  4. 4. You should watch the ball until contact.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt helps timing.

  5. 5. The ankle should be loose when striking with the foot.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseKeep it firm.

  6. 6. Keeping the ball in the air with repeated touches is to ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: juggleFootball skill.

  7. 7. Describe the hand position for a volley.

    Show answer
    Answer: Hands above the forehead, fingers spread, thumbs and index fingers forming a window.Fingertip contact.

  8. 8. Why is moving under the ball early important?

    Show answer
    Answer: It gives time to get into position and strike at the right moment, improving accuracy.Timing.

Homework

  1. Practise self-volleys against a wall for ten minutes.