Attacking formations and match play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can build a rally to win the point.
Key learning points
- Move: varying placement of the ball allows you to outwit an opposition and find holes in their defence.
- Think: creating opportunities to hit a set from next to the net puts your team on the attack.
- Feel: decision making on formation and positions is empowering.
- Connect: celebrating good attack, defence or attempted attack and passes with a high 5 shows a growth mindset.
Keywords
Decoy - an attacking play to disguise who will receive the set for a spike
Dink - a legal push of the ball over blockers hands
Hitter - player primarily responsible for attacking the ball over the net to score points
Accountability - taking responsibility for your contribution
Common misconception
The feet can not be used as a body part in volleyball.
Using the foot to contact the ball is legal but the foot must remain in contact with the ground. Players only tend to use this to slide the foot into the path of the ball as they simply cannot kick the ball.
Teacher tip
Provide time for pupils to plan and rehearse their attacking plays.
Equipment
volleyball court and net, volleyballs, formations and positions
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which volleyball position is a defensive specialist?
Q2.How should the hands be positioned when executing a block?
Q3.What is a typical term to communicate in volleyball?
Q4.How many volleyball positions are there?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which volleyball position is the player likely to make the attacking shots?
Q2.Which attacking play causes a disguise?
Q3.Which attacking shot will land just over the net?
Q4.What term is used when a player is taking responsibility for their contribution to a rally?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Attacking formations and match play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Attacking formations and match play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Net and wall games: tactics and strategies in volleyball unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.