Description of Game: Newcomb is an introductory game to volleyball, incorporating all the elements of volleyball (aside from the volleying). Newcomb is a fun game that teaches children the fundamentals of volleyball. It is beneficial in promoting the development of hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

Instructor: Wayne Prisco

Grade Level: 3-5

School Name: Vail Farm Elementary

Date: February 4, 2010

Equipment: Volleyball Net, Volleyball, Tape, Coin

Preparation: Volleyball Net & Court Set Up: The playing area should be divided by a Division line (Volleyball Net) into two equal halves. The height of the rope defining the Division Line should be lowered to three feet for elementary age students. Draw or mark off an outline of the court so children can see the boundaries of play.

Objectives: To have students participate in a fun movement game that teaches them the fundamentals of volleyball, promotes teamwork, improves motor skills and hand-eye-coordination. Children will gain an understanding of team spirit and cooperation as they develop gross-motor skills.

Warm up (10 minutes) : “Elbow Tag”

Description: Elbow tag is a very fast game consisting of running, sharp wits and elbow linking. Not only is this an exciting and energetic game, it requires players to make good use of strategy skills to avoid becoming "It".

Warm Up Instruction:

• Have the class of 20-30 players stand in a large circle.
• Instruct the players to break into small groups while maintaining the large circle shape. Each grouping can consist of 2 (a pair) or 3 or 4 players, depending on how many people are available.
• Have all the players in each group linking arms so that they form chains (not holding hands). These chains need to stretch out to keep the large circle shape.
• Keep two players aside from the groupings. One person will be reserved as "It" and other person will be the runner.
• Start the game. The objective is for "It" to tag the runner. The runner will be trying to get away and not become "It". A runner can avoid capture by joining one of the human chains - the runner is safe if he or she links arms onto one end of a human chain. However, when the runner joins a human chain, it sets off a chain reaction which forces the person on the opposite end of the human chain to become the next runner.
• Reverse roles if "It" captures the runner. The runner should immediately link with one of the human chains to have a rest! "It" will then start chasing the new runner

“Newcomb Volleyball” (20 minutes)

Set Induction: Newcomb is a fun and easy sport, similar to volleyball. How many of you have ever played volleyball or Newcomb?

Procedure:

1) Divide children into two teams. Ask each team to line up on opposite sides of the court.

2) Explain the following rules:

• A child from one team throws the ball to the other team.
• Anyone on that team can catch the ball, but the ball has to be caught before it touches the ground.
• The person who catches the ball quickly throws it back to the other side.
• The action is repeated, and children on each team take turns throwing the ball until someone misses or the ball goes out of bounds. (In either of these situations, the toss then goes to the other team.)

3) Toss a coin to determine which side begins and let the child standing first in line start the game. Points are earned when the opposing team drops or misses the ball.

Game play/ Rules: Two teams of six to nine players each line up on opposite sides of the net. To start the match, the ball is thrown over the net from the right rear end line. The objective of the game is for the player to catch the ball if it is thrown near them, before it hits the ground. Once the player catches the ball, he/she will then throw the ball anywhere over the net from the same spot it was caught. A point is earned when a player on the catching side fails to catch a thrown ball that lands within the playing area or if the ball is touched and dropped. If the ball is thrown out-of-bounds, the other team scores a point. In Newcomb, the game is over when one team gains 21 points. To deemphasize winning and losing, play multiple short games (5 points), keeping skill balance in mind as you form groups and encouraging children to help one another out during play.

Teaching Cues: Keep your eyes on the Ball, Call “I got it”, Catch and Over, Play as a Team!

Closing Activity (10 minutes): “The Atom Game”

Description: Children run around the gym in all sorts of directions. Instructor calls out "Atom___" and a number. Which ever number is called, the children have to get into groups of that number. For example, the teacher calls "Atom 6!" and children get into groups of 6. Those left out of a group, are out. Start new game. Play until end of class.

References:

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/pe/theatomgame.htm

http://www.irvingisd.net/pe/peweb/newcomb.htm