Sitting volleyball is an adapted sport where the game of volleyball is played on a smaller court with a lower net and all players must sit on the floor. The court dimensions are 6 m wide by 5 m deep on either side of the net. In competition, the net height is 1.15 m for men and 1.05 m for women.
At a community level, players with and without physical impairments can play together in this integrative sport. However, to compete internationally athletes must have a permanent physical impairment.
Sitting volleyball has become popular among spectators of para-sport because of its fast action and exciting game play. It is also a good choice to implement at the community level as an adapted or integrated recreation activity because there is no need to buy specialized equipment.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Sitting volleyball was first introduced in the Netherlands in the 1950s, combining Olympic volleyball with a German sport called "sitzball." However, it only started becoming more popular in the 1960s. International competitions went on to be organised from 1967, and sitting volleyball was accepted into the International Sport Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) in 1978. The sport debuted in the Paralympic programme in the Arnhem 1980 Games and has been on the Paralympic Games agenda since. Until Sydney 2000, the competitions were divided into two categories: sitting and standing. From Athens 2004, they were restricted to sitting volleyball only.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
As with Olympic volleyball, the game is decided in the best of five sets. The team scoring 25 points first will win the set, and tie-breaks go to 15 points. There are two major differences between this sport and Olympic volleyball: the athlete's gluteus must be in contact with the floor in each move they make, and blocking the opponents' serve is allowed. It is also common to see contact between the opponents' legs during the match. This is allowed as long as it does not obstruct the opponent. The court measures 60m2 (10m long by 6m wide), and the net is positioned at a height of 1.15m from the floor in men's volleyball. For the women's competition, however, the height is slightly lower: 1.05m.
The Basics of Play
As with any sport, practice will help you play the game better.
The ready position: (The flexed, yet comfortable posture a player assumes before moving to contact the ball.) Legs in front, slightly bent. Arms should be down with hands on the floor ready to push in all directions. Be alert and ready to move in any direction due to the quick pace of the game.
Serving: (Putting the ball into play.) When serving, pull back the hitting arm. In the non-serving hand, raise the ball to shoulder height with the arm in front of the body and toss the ball gently, one to two feet above the head. Swing through the ball to the intended target. 토토사이트
Spiking/attacking: (Smashing the ball into the opponents’ court using an overhead motion.) When spiking or attacking the ball, start with your body four to five feet away from the net. Move toward the ball by using arms and pushing or pulling with the lower body. Pull back the hitting arm, swing forward quickly, and reach as high as you can, rotating your shoulders.
Overhead passing/setting: (Directing the ball to a point where a player can spike it into the opponents’ court.) Open your hands and spread fingers into a ball-shaped cup above the forehead, allow the wrists and hands to be loose, make a triangle with the thumbs and pointer fingers, flick the wrists, and extend the arms to push the ball to the target.
Forearm passing/digging: (A defensive shot passing an attacked ball close to the floor.) Place your thumbs together and even in height. Point thumbs downwards and keep elbows locked out to create a platform with your forearms. Position the platform to create an angle that allows the ball to rebound toward the target.
Blocking: (Defensive play by one or more players to deflect a spiked ball back to the hitter’s court.) Start with hands down, ready to move side-to-side as quickly as possible. Once into position, raise your arms with hands open wide and fingers spread apart to cover the most surface area. Extend your arms across the net without touching it and flick your wrists toward the middle of the court.
