Fundamental Skills of Sports – Volleyball

Fundamental Skills of Sports – Volleyball — Unit 5

Class 8 | NCERT Khel Yatra | Physical Education and Well-being | 2026–27

Quick answer

Volleyball is a team sport in which players send a ball over a net and try to make it land in the opponents' court while preventing the same on their own side. Students begin with ready position, movement, underhand passing (forearm pass), overhead setting, serving, attacking, blocking, communication and fair play. Teamwork and safe technique are more important than force.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to describe volleyball equipment and court, demonstrate a balanced ready stance, practise forearm passes and overhead sets, perform a controlled beginner serve, explain three-hit play and rotation, identify safe attacking and blocking practices, and cooperate in inclusive games.

1. Equipment and playing area

These are standard indoor competition dimensions; schools can adapt courts and equipment. Always inspect the playing surface and net supports before play.

2. Ready position and movement

• Stand with feet comfortably apart and knees slightly bent.
• Keep weight balanced and eyes on the ball.
• Move with short steps, face the expected ball path and communicate early.
• Avoid running under the net or colliding with teammates.

Why it matters: Good positioning helps players contact the ball with control and protects other players.

3. Forearm pass (bump)

A forearm pass is commonly used to receive a serve or a low ball.

Steps:

1. Move behind the ball and bend knees comfortably.
2. Join hands in a stable, comfortable position and extend the forearms to make a broad passing surface.
3. Keep arms reasonably straight without locking painfully.
4. Direct the ball mainly through leg movement and a small controlled platform angle.
5. Aim toward a teammate and recover to ready position.

Common errors: Swinging arms excessively, contacting with fists or wrists, standing too upright, or passing without looking toward the target.

4. Overhead set

A set positions the ball for a teammate's next action.

Steps:

1. Move beneath the incoming ball.
2. Raise hands above the forehead with fingers spread comfortably.
3. Bend elbows and knees, then extend smoothly to direct the ball.
4. Use controlled, brief finger contact rather than catching or carrying the ball.
5. Follow through toward the target.

Safety: Do not force fingers backward or practise with a hard, fast ball before learning technique. Use soft-ball alternatives where appropriate.

5. Serving

The serve starts a rally by sending the ball from behind the end line over the net.

Underhand serve — beginner technique

1. Stand in a balanced position behind the end line.
2. Hold the ball in the non-striking hand.
3. Swing the striking arm smoothly from behind.
4. Contact the lower-back area of the ball with a firm hand.
5. Follow through toward the opposite court.

Overhand serve — introduction

Toss the ball under control and strike it overhead with a firm open hand. Practise only after mastering balance and controlled ball contact.

Official rule distinction: In standard volleyball, the server must contact the ball within 8 seconds after the first referee whistles for service. Modified classroom games may allow extra time or a closer service line; such changes are not official competition rules.

6. Attack, spike and block

Attack hit: An action that directs the ball toward the opponents' court, excluding a serve and a block. A spike is a forceful attacking hit, often involving an approach, jump and overhead strike.

Block: A defensive action by eligible front-row players near the net to intercept an opponent's attack.

Beginner priorities: Practise standing attacks and safe controlled contacts before jumping attacks. Jumping and blocking require enough space, safe landings and teacher supervision. Do not touch or pull the net or move into another player's landing space.

7. The three-hit pattern

A common team sequence is:

1. Pass — receive and control the incoming ball.
2. Set — direct it to a teammate.
3. Attack — send it back over the net.

Under standard indoor rules, a team normally has up to three hits to return the ball, in addition to a block contact. The same player generally cannot contact the ball twice consecutively, subject to specific rule exceptions such as a block and first team contact.

Important: The ball does not have to be touched exactly three times. A legal return can use one or two hits.

8. Scoring, sets and rotation

Standard indoor volleyball uses rally-point scoring: a rally winner scores a point regardless of which team served.

• Most sets are played to 25 points, with at least a two-point lead.
• A deciding fifth set is played to 15 points, also with a two-point lead.
• A standard match is won by the first team to win three sets.
• When the receiving team wins the right to serve, its players rotate one position clockwise before service.
• Players have rotational positions and service order, even though they may move within their permitted roles during rallies.

Classroom adaptation: Shorter sets, smaller teams, a lower net or allowing a controlled catch-and-throw progression may help beginners. Clearly identify such games as modified learning activities.

9. Common faults and rule awareness

Rules contain detailed exceptions and definitions. For formal competitions, consult the current FIVB Official Volleyball Rules rather than treating this summary as exhaustive.

10. Team communication and sportsmanship

Useful calls include “Mine!”, “Help!”, “Out!” and a teammate's name. Communication should be early, clear and respectful.

Fair play includes honest calls, following the referee's instructions, respecting opponents and accepting mistakes without blaming teammates. Each student should have a meaningful role.

11. Safety and inclusive participation

• Warm up with gentle movement, shoulder mobility and controlled passing.
• Keep the court free of obstacles and use suitable footwear.
• Check that net poles are padded and secured.
• Avoid diving on hard floors without appropriate instruction and facilities.
• Never push a teammate or step into another player's landing zone.
• Stop for severe pain, dizziness, suspected concussion or other concerning symptoms; notify a responsible adult.
• Use lighter balls, seated passing, lower nets, shorter distances and adjusted team sizes to support access.
• Hydrate according to activity and weather; allow rest breaks.

12. Seven student-friendly activities

Activity A — Ready-position mirror

In pairs, one student makes slow side-steps while the other mirrors. Focus on balance and safe spacing.

Activity B — Forearm target pass

A partner gently tosses a soft ball; the learner uses a forearm platform to pass toward a marked target. Start close and increase distance gradually.

Activity C — Overhead setting circle

In small groups, practise gentle upward sets with a lightweight ball. Count controlled contacts rather than powerful hits.

Activity D — Underhand serve targets

Serve from an adapted distance toward a large marked target area. Increase distance only when technique and safety improve.

Activity E — Pass–set–return

Groups of three practise receiving, setting and returning a ball over a low net. Modified catching is permitted only when clearly described as a learning adaptation.

Activity F — Rotation walk-through

Mark six positions and walk through clockwise rotation after the receiving team wins service. No ball is required.

Activity G — Cooperative mini-volleyball

Use small teams, a lower net and a soft ball. Award a classroom teamwork point for clear communication and inclusion; this is not official volleyball scoring.

13. Suggested 40-minute lesson

This is a suggested schedule, not a verbatim NCERT timetable.

14. Practice questions with model answers

Q1. What is volleyball?
Answer: Volleyball is a team sport in which players send a ball over a net and try to make it land in the opponents' court while defending their own.

Q2. How many players are on the court per team in standard indoor volleyball?
Answer: Six.

Q3. What is a forearm pass?
Answer: A controlled contact using the forearms, commonly to receive and direct a low ball.

Q4. What is an overhead set?
Answer: A controlled contact using the fingers and hands above the forehead to position the ball for a teammate.

Q5. What is an underhand serve?
Answer: A beginner-friendly serve in which the striking arm swings from below to send the ball over the net.

Q6. How many team hits are normally allowed?
Answer: Up to three, in addition to a permitted block contact.

Q7. Must a team use exactly three hits?
Answer: No. A legal return may use one, two or three hits.

Q8. How is a standard set won?
Answer: Normally by reaching at least 25 points with a two-point lead; the deciding fifth set is to 15 with a two-point lead.

Q9. When does a team rotate?
Answer: When the receiving team wins the right to serve, players rotate clockwise before service.

Q10. What is a spike?
Answer: A forceful attacking hit directed toward the opponents' court.

Q11. What is a block?
Answer: An action near the net to intercept an opponent's attacking ball.

Q12. Why is communication important?
Answer: It prevents confusion and collisions and helps teammates organise passes and returns.

15. Multiple-choice questions

1. Standard indoor volleyball has how many players per team on court? A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 8. Answer: C. 2. Which skill is commonly used to receive a serve? A. Forearm pass B. Throw-in C. Dribble D. Header. Answer: A. 3. A standard set usually ends at: A. 11 B. 15 C. 21 D. 25, with two-point lead. Answer: D. 4. What is the usual maximum number of team hits besides a block? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 5. Answer: C. 5. When a receiving team gains service, players rotate: A. Clockwise B. Anticlockwise C. Randomly D. Never. Answer: A. 6. Which is an example of sportsmanship? A. Blaming teammates B. Encouraging others C. Pushing at the net D. Ignoring safety. Answer: B.

16. Fill in the blanks

1. Volleyball is played across a net.
2. The forearm pass is often used to receive a low ball.
3. The second contact in a common three-hit sequence is the set.
4. The standard team has six players on the court.
5. A receiving team rotates clockwise when it wins the right to serve.

17. Self-assessment

18. Common misconceptions

• “A team must use three touches.” False: up to three team hits are normally allowed.
• “Every set is played to 25.” False: the deciding fifth set is normally to 15.
• “Only the serving team scores.” False under rally-point scoring.
• “A block always counts as one of the three team hits.” False in standard indoor volleyball.
• “A harder hit is always better.” False: controlled contact and placement are essential.
• “Beginners must use regulation equipment.” False: adapted equipment can support safe learning.

19. Quick revision

Basic skills: ready position, footwork, forearm pass, overhead set, serve, attack and block. Team play: pass → set → attack. Hits: up to three, plus block contact. Scoring: rally point; sets usually 25, deciding fifth 15; win by two. Rotation: clockwise after gaining service. Values: teamwork, inclusion, safety and fair play.

20. Sources and editorial verification

Textbook identification: NCERT Khel Yatra, Class 8, Unit 5, Fundamental Skills of Sports – Volleyball. Official NCERT textbooks: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php ; CIET catalogue: https://www.ciet.ncert.gov.in/audio-book/141 .

Sport rules: Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), official rules: https://www.fivb.com/volleyball/the-game/official-volleyball-rules/ .

Editorial scope: This is an original, student-friendly unit-aligned guide. The activities, sample lesson, practice questions, MCQs and assessment tables are supplementary and are not presented as verbatim NCERT exercises. The complete original NCERT Unit 5 activity sequence and all textbook exercise questions have not been independently checked against the full official manuscript.