Volleyball England resources can help schoolchildren learn the basics 

When the Worthing VC player wanted to introduce the sport to his school, he made full use of the Let’s Play Volleyball programme resources on the Volleyball England website to help him do it. 

Divided into Volley2s (2 v 2 players, ages seven to 11), Volley3s (3 v 3 players, ages 11 to 14) and Volley4s (4 v 4 players, aged Age 14 to 16), they are designed to make it easy to teach – and learn – the basics. 

In each case, there are simple, step-by-step guides that take you through the rules and how to play, as well as a series of exercises that help children develop not only game-specific techniques but also vital problem-solving and social skills. 

Volley2s, for example, takes young people from an easy to play catch and throw game through four developmental stages (Red, Amber, Green, Gold) to play 2v2 volleyball using recognised volleyball shots such as dig, set, spike, serve and block.  

As pupils at Globe fall into the Volley2s age range, Kasper has been able to use the resources to get his class and others started – and he has been taken aback by the enthusiasm that has been shown. 

“I didn’t think we would get that many wanting to take part as volleyball is not a traditionally popular sport in the UK, but we had 30 applicants. 

“We divided that into two groups – a younger group and an older group – and followed the Volleyball England resources to get the kids playing. 

“It has been the basics at first... catching and throwing and then moving onto basics sets and passes, plus the idea to use three touches to get the ball over the net. 

“It has been massively successful and a lot of them would love to put it into our regular lessons and put it into our curriculum, which we are looking to potentially do.” 

The sessions have been happening weekly, with a first cohort taking part in a six-week run, which is being followed by another across seven weeks in the summer term. 

Globe have been helped out by the club at Worthing, who have donated balls to use.  

The hope is to make the initiative into a year-round one in the next school year and, eventually, introduce those who thrive into the local club system.

Kasper, who plays in the National Volleyball League as an Opposite, added: “We’ve already had some of the children wanting to play for a club and saying they can’t wait to move up to secondary school where they can do so. There might be one or two stars of the future, who knows? 

“I think it is definitely something that schools around the country could also adopt because, while it is not a sport everyone knows, it is something people can pick up quickly and have a go at. 

“The Volleyball England resources can give people confidence to have a go, as it is all simply explained. 

“I have loved having it in our school. To see the satisfaction on the children’s faces and to see them getting better really is great.” 

Find out more and download the Let’s Play Volleyball resources here.