Sitting Volleyball Rules

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 Adaptations 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 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 rule 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.

Block 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 opponent’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 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

Rotations 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 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 volleyball 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 volleyball player AspectsConsiderations Logistical organisationMobility - walking aids, wheelchair Transport – airport, van Access –Hotel / Training facilities –Ramp / Lift Time managementConsider 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 Process Level of competitionRequirements Local league National league No restrictions, able bodied can play No classifier needed Unsanctioned international tournamentsUsually no restrictions No Classifier needed Sanctioned international tournaments1-2 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 disabilities 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 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