SpikeBall | Advantages & Why |  What is SpikeBall?   What are the Rules of SpikeBall? (See Below) SpikeBall is a new Volleyball adapted game with a difference! (J4 Volleyball was the old name) It is played with 6 players - 4 on-court and 2 subsitutes, using a volleyball, a net and a smaller  court. The main differences between SpikeBall and 6 a side Volleyball are: The 2nd touch must be a “catch and throw” The game may be started with a toss from the back line or up as far as half way up the court Team must rotate after 3 successful tosses/serves Automatic substitution every time the team rotates Team must have 3 touches Played on a Smaller Court (Badminton size) Spikeball is more fun for children! Why? Children can be playing the Full Game after only 2 Sessions! Non Contact Game - Ideal for a Mixed Classes No single player can dominate the Game or Serves All Children Active, All the time Can be played in a small area with one Class Easy to set up, Indoors or Outdoors Soft Volleyballs Used Game Play 95% of the time Skills learned within a game structure Easy to teach with structured teaching progressions 100% more touches than the 6 a side game Emphasis on Fun and Participation Skills developed through game play Equipment basic and inexpensive Local blitz competitions Resource pack available with Teaching DVD and Coaching Handbook SPIKEBALL is an initiative developed by the Volleyball Association of Ireland to aid the development of Volleyball in Schools and Youth & Community Groups. It is aimed at introducing Junior Volleyball to Children and indeed beignner Adults at a Recreation & fitness level. Volleyball has traditionally been viewed as a difficult sport to introduce to young children, but it doesn't have to be. SPIKEBALL is an adapted 4-player v 4-player volleyball game that was introduced to Ireland in the last 5 years and has seen participation levels increase by over 300%. With the simple modifications that SPIKEBALL Volleyball offers, teachers can easily provide their childrenwith a fun and rewarding Volleyball experience. It is aimed at children of Primary School age and those at 1st/2nd Year in Post-Primary School. The objective of these adaptations is toencourage learning, promote physical activity, and increase the fun for the participants.     SPIKEBALL School Development Programme Puts FUN as a top priority Ensures all can take an active part Equipment is simple and inexpensive Develops skills in a game-like way Can be used with any age group Develops supporting personnel RULES All play, equal time, lots of rallies Lots of hits Lots of FUN ORGANISATION Blitz format with minimum guaranteed playing time Competition is local - schools are clustered Equipment is simple Volleyballs are light and available  Background Based on Canada's most popular "Primary School" game Specifically adapted for Ireland Previously called "J4 Volleyball" Targeting classes in Primary Schools and 1st and 2nd year in Post Primary Schools Advantages Game play 95% of time Skills learned within a game structure Easy teaching progressions 100% more touches than the 6 v 6 game Strategy Aims to promote and develop "whole" game Pack includes education for referees, administrators and PR Aims to increase participation at all levels of ability Aims to provide education, especially for teachers and leaders Aims to provide first step on volleyball pathway for long-term involvement in the game Feedback & Progress Has caused participation explosion Blitzes take place nationwide Capturing teachers Capturing new children to volleyball Capturing children to sport

SpikeBall General Rules & Guidelines SpikeBall General Rules & Guidelines (Previously J4 Volleyball) 1. Physical Environment The size of the court will be doubles Badminton court or nearest equivalent. The height of the net should be between 1.85m and 2.10 m depending on age and sex. Court Markings can be made from masking tape for the rectangular outline if no lines are available. The type of Ball used must be soft. We would recommend Mikasa V180 to V230 range (Available from Volleyball Coaching & Education Services).  No plastic or nylon wound or heavy ball should ever be permitted We recommend a minimum of 1.5 m to 2.m space between courts The net can be Badminton net, rope or Horse-tape but the Red Base Net System (Pictured below) is highly recommended due to its Safety, ease of set up, various net heights and it can also be used for Tennis and Badminton. (Available from Volleyball Coaching & Education Services - just call or email | Cost: €300 including Deliver | System comprises of 2 Red Bases, 2 Yellow Extendable Light Weight Posts and 1 Net)   The Red Base Net System pictured in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra prior to SpikeBall Training Course 2. Composition of Team The number of players in a team should be ideally 6. There will be 4 on the court and 2 substitutes. The minimum number on a team is 4. Substitutions are made as follows: If after every 3rd successful service by any one player on serving team, the team still has the right to serve, then the serving team rotates and the substitute comes on to serve When the receiving team wins back service the substitute comes on to serve No other substitution is allowed except in the case of an injury Substitutions are made automatically without any signal required from coach or referee. The competition can be single sex or mixed as makes sense locally. 3. Adapted rules          Compulsory 3 touch. A point is awarded to the opposite team if a team fails to complete 3 touches on their side. The block is not counted as a touch. 1st touch can be a volley or a forearm pass (dig). 2nd touch must be a catch and throw. The ball is caught with two hands and tossed underarm so the hitter may attack it. Once the catcher has caught the ball then no further movement of the feet is allowed. The ball is tossed from whatever way the catcher is facing when receiving the ball.    3rd touch ideally should be a hit but can be volleyed or dug over.        Players are not allowed to touch the Net at any stage of the Game - if a Player touches the Net while executing any of the Skills then the other Team is awarded the Point. Ball cannot be deliberately played with the head. Kicking of the Ball is not permitted The Service can be either an underarm or over-arm serve from behind the base line or an underarm two handed toss from not more than halfway up the court. 4. General Organisation The local format will be that of a series of 3 Blitzes. The Blitzes should be played at 2/3 different venues where possible. The number of schools/teams in each Blitz will be determined locally and in accordance with the minimum play rule. (See rules 4 e and 4 f). It is suggested that separate competitions would be held for 1st and 2nd Years in Post Primary schools. Primary schools can make a decision regarding whether a separate competition needs to be held for different age groups. Each team to play a minimum of 3 Blitzes in a season. There must be a minimum guaranteed playing time each day. Each team must play at least 3 matches per Blitz. A match must consist of a minimum of two 10 minute sets. Each team is allowed one 30 second timeout per set. The main objective is that children play and have fun. Local organisers may present some small prizes to participants if they think it is suitable. It is recommended to get pupils involved in the refereeing, administration and publicity side of the SpikeBall Blitzes.          For Regional and National Competition the VAI may alter the rules to ensure uniformity.