Sitting VolleyballRules

Volleyball Rules

• 3 Touches – Pass, Set, Spike• 6 Players• Same player can’t touch it twice in a row (except after a

block)• Play sets to 25 points (2 clear points)• Score on every point• Serve rotates when a team wins a point from the

oppositions serve.• Libero (different colour shirt) – Back court specialist.

Used similar to a rolling sub.

Sitting Volleyball Sitting Volleyball AdaptationsAdaptations

• Sitting volleyball characteristics– Smaller court and lower net– Quicker play– Most rules are the

same/similar to Indoor Volleyball

– A few but important ‘special’ rules

Playing Area

• Court– 6m x 10m

The net and postsThe net and posts

• Net height – 1.15 metres for men– 1.05 metres for women– 1.10 metres for domestic mixed competition– 1.00 metres for juniors (can vary)

• Posts– For serious competition posts should be secured to the

ground (ideally attached)

Contact with the court Contact with the court rulerule

• At all times during playing actions the players must contact the court with some part of the body between the buttocks and the shoulders

• To stand up, raise the body or take steps is forbidden.

BlockBlock

• To block an opponent’s serve is permitted • It is allowed to complete an attack hit on the

opponent’s service when the ball is in the front zone and fully above net height

• When completing a block, the players are not allowed to lift their buttocks from the floor – This includes a collective block,

even if the player lifting does not contact the ball

Contact with the Contact with the opponent’s courtopponent’s court

• Contact with the opponent’s court with any part of the body is permitted…– …providing that it does not

interfere with the opponent’s play

Double fault at the netDouble fault at the net

• If simultaneous hits by opponents at the net lead to a ‘catch’, it is a double fault and the rally is replayed

• However, a short ‘catch’ is permitted if the extended contact does not interrupt the continuity of the action

Net contact

• Contact with the top band when in the action of playing the ball is a fault

• Contact with the net when in the action of playing the ball which significantly distorts the shape of the net is a fault

• Other contact with the net is not a fault

RotationsRotations

• A team rotates (clockwise) when they regain the serve• Each front row player must have at least part of his/her

buttocks closer to the centre line than the buttocks of the corresponding back row player

• Each right (left) side player must have at least part of his/her buttocks closer to the right (left) side line than the buttocks of the centre player in that row

1 6 5

2 3 4

NET

Other ‘Useful’ Things to Note

• When serving the buttocks must be behind the line

• Players are not allowed padded shorts!

• Only front court players can hit the ball from the front court

• Usually 2 referees

Working with Athletes with a

Disability

Needs of a sitting Needs of a sitting volleyball playervolleyball player

• Player first, disability second• Encourage self-sufficiency but do be sensitive

to specific needs:• Terminology• Mannerisms• Body posture

• Each player must adapt to their own disability:• Not every movement is the same• Adapt technique to the disability

Needs of a sitting Needs of a sitting volleyball playervolleyball player

Aspects Considerations

Logistical organisation Mobility - walking aids, wheelchair

Transport – airport, van

Access–Hotel / Training facilities–Ramp / Lift

Time management Consider extra time for everything

Add extra space for carrying

Medical

Prosthetics

Stump pain

Wound dehiscence (recent amputees)

Pressure sores, blisters, infections

Aesthetic appearance

(clothing)

Polio

Limb malformations

Sitting Volleyball Classification

The Classification ProcessThe Classification Process

Level of competition Requirements

Local league

National league

No restrictions, able bodied can play

No classifier needed

Unsanctioned international tournaments Usually no restrictions

No Classifier needed

Sanctioned international tournaments 1-2 classifiers required

Number of able bodied on court limited

Sanctioned tournament that qualifies players to Paralympics and world ranking.

2 classifiers required

Maximum of 1 MD player on court at any time

Maximum of 2 MD players in a squad

Commonest types of Commonest types of disabilities in sitting volleyballdisabilities in sitting volleyball

• Limb amputees > 50%– Congenital– Traumatic

• Limb malformations (dysmyelia)• Sports injuries

– ACJ rupture with knee instability

• Medical conditions– Grade 2+3 arthritis of knees– Fixation of knee / ankle joint– Instability of knee / ankle– Post prolapsed disc with residue weakness in

lower limbs

• Neurological conditions– Polio– Mild cerebral palsy (CP 7,8 or T37, 38)

Common sense rule:

Anyone who is not able to play regular volleyball is likely to be eligible for sitting volleyball

The Classification ProcessThe Classification Process

• A process where athletes with disabilities are classified into groups in accordance to their physical and function ability– Minimally disabled– Disabled

• Formal process• Sport specific

• Who can do it?• Doctor• Physiotherapist

‘Ideal’ Sitting Volleyball Player

– Long Upper Body– Long Arms– Big Hands– Lean Body Mass– Lower Limb Amputation(s)– Good hand-eye coordination– Good Reactions– Good upper body strength– Good back support– Good core stability– Experience in Ball Sports/Net Sports– Previous experience of a Performance Sporting Environment– A commitment to training