Synopsis: This variation on Winners looks to maximize contacts but cutting down transition time.
Age/Skill Level: This game is suitable for all levels.
Requirements: Court, 8 players, 3 balls.
Execution: Divide the players into 4 teams of two, with two teams on each side of the net – one on the court, one behind the end line. The two “off” teams each have a ball, as does one of the “on” teams. The on team with the play starts play with a serve and the teams rally normally from there. The team that loses the rally immediately vacates the court and the off team on that side serves and enters the court to begin a new rally. The winner of each rally scores a point, with the game played to some predetermined point total.
Variations:
- Teams of 3 or more can be used.
- More than 4 teams can play if necessary.
- You can use a full or reduced sized court.
- For lower level teams where serving is inconsistent, the coach can initiate the ball to start each rally.
- Attacking can be limited to certain types, such as back row only.
You can see a 4-player-per-team version of speedball in the USA Volleyball video below.
Additional Comments:
- By incorporating requirements into the play – must have 3 contact, all players much touch the ball, bonus points for quick set kills, etc. – you can adapt the game to work toward the training objectives you have for the session.
- You can use a Newcomb style version of speedball as a warm-up game.
- If you are playing 2s or 3s on a full court you likely want to use beach rules in terms not allowing open-hand tipping and requiring sets to be straight forward or back (no sideways dumps over the net). Alternatively, you could just not allow such attacks in front of the 3 meter line.
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