Fundamental Skills of Sports - Volleyball
Class 8 · Physical Education and Well Being
5 ideas in Class 8 Physical Education and Well Being, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Volleyball Basics and Team Roles
Part of: Volleyball on court
Two teams face across a net on a rectangular court and score by grounding the ball on the other side. Six players stand per side in roles like spiker, setter, blocker and libero, and a side may touch thrice before returning, ignoring the block touch.
Why it matters. Roles and touch limits shape every rally, so knowing them lets you play fair and plan attacks.
Try it in two minutes
- Count six players per side aloud.
- Name the four roles with one job each.
- Clap three times for the three touches.
Try at home. Draw a court on paper and mark six spots per side with each role name.
Underhand Pass
Part of: Volleyball on court
The underhand pass, also called bump, dig or simple pass, fields serves and smashes. Hands form a semi-closed fist covered by the other palm with parallel thumbs, elbows lock straight, wrists fold down, knees bend in a low stance, and forearms meet the ball.
Why it matters. Clean passing keeps the rally alive and feeds the setter for an attack.
Try it in two minutes
- Stack one fist inside the other hand.
- Point both thumbs forward and down.
- Bend knees and hold arms low and still.
Try at home. Practise the fist grip and locked-arm shelf against a wall without any ball.
Overhead Pass and Setting
Part of: Volleyball on court
The overhead pass sets the ball or fields it at face height. Hands rise above the forehead, thumbs and forefingers frame a triangle, fingertips touch the ball instead of palms, feet sit shoulder-width with one ahead, knees bend, the torso stays under the ball, and elbows open outward into a cup platform.
Why it matters. A steady overhead set places the ball exactly where attackers want it.
Try it in two minutes
- Raise hands above the forehead.
- Join thumbs and forefingers into a triangle.
- Push up with fingertips, never palms.
Try at home. Shape the triangle with your hands and toss a soft toy up from it.
Serving the Ball
Part of: Volleyball on court
The underhand serve swings upward and forward beneath the ball to start the rally, with the front foot forward, the ball cupped in the free hand at thigh height, and shoulders turning into the hit. The overhead serve begins behind the baseline with a near-vertical toss from the free hand and a full arm swing finishing with the heel of the palm.
Why it matters. A reliable serve puts pressure on receivers and opens every rally on your terms.
Try it in two minutes
- Stand with the front foot forward.
- Cup the ball in the free hand.
- Swing under it and follow through.
Try at home. Practise the underhand swing with a rolled-up sock ball toward a wall mark.
Spiking and Blocking
Part of: Volleyball on court
Spiking slams the ball over the net onto the rival floor: the hitter stands under the ball, raises the hitting arm with elbow bent behind the head, meets the ball at its peak with the palm, strikes its centre or top with a wrist snap for spin, and rotates the torso for power. Blocking guards the net against such hits, solo or paired, on tiptoes with bent knees and raised arms, hands reaching over, fingers spread and angled down, landing softly on bent knees.
Why it matters. Spikes win points while blocks turn the opponent's best weapon back at them.
Try it in two minutes
- Stand under the ball path.
- Raise the hitting arm with a bent elbow.
- Snap the wrist down through the ball.
Try at home. Practise the right-hander foot order left-right-left with small steps in your room.
What your child will practise
- Overhead Pass and Setting: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Serving the Ball: Space Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Spiking and Blocking: Desert Quest (Flip and Match)
- Underhand Pass: Explorer'S Map Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Volleyball Basics and Team Roles: Mission Control Quest (Match It Up)
- Quiz: Overhead Pass and Setting (8 questions)
- Quiz: Serving the Ball (8 questions)
- Quiz: Spiking and Blocking (8 questions)
- Quiz: Underhand Pass (8 questions)