AY Honors/Volleyball

[[:Tab Name/Overview]][[:Tab Name/Requirements]][[:Tab Name/Answer Key]][[:Tab Name/Lesson Plans]][[:Tab Name/Worksheet]]

Overview

The Challenging Part

The most challenging requirement of this honor is probably this:

7. Play at least ten games of volleyball with a full team (6 people). Show "fair play" during practice and games.

[[AY Honors/Volleyball/Requirements|Tab Name/Printable Version]]

1. Describe the current FIVB rules and mention the eight major rules of volleyball.

2. What does the expression "fair play" or “clean game” mean especially to a Christian?

3. Define the following terms:

a. Ace

b. Assist

c. Attack

d. Bump

e. Carry

f. Lift

g. Dig

h. Dink

i. Double hit

j. Dump

k. Five-One & Six-Two

l. Free ball

m. Joust

n. Kill

o. Libero

p. Match Point

q. Middle hitter

r. Opposite hitter

s. Outside hitter

t. Rotation

u. Service / Serve

v. Set

w. Spike

x. Time out

4. Demonstrate and understand the different skills required for each position of volleyball.

5. Demonstrate reasonable proficiency in the following areas:

a. Underhand Serve

b. Overhand Serve: The Floater

c. Passing

d. Hitting

e. Blocking

f. Setting

g. Rolling

6. If a beginning player, spend at least 4 hours learning and improving your volleyball skills from a more experienced player. If an experienced player, spend at least 4 hours helping a less skilled or younger player improve their skills in volleyball.

7. Play at least ten games of volleyball with a full team (6 people). Show "fair play" during practice and games.

8. Report through a paper, skit, or other display about a famous volleyball player. Talk about why you think this player is a good role-model for a Christian.

9. Draw a to-scale volleyball court with properly defined boundaries. Label the dimensions including net height, sidelines, end lines, attack line, and center line.

10. Discuss, with your leader, pastor or teacher, the problems faced by the Seventh-day Adventist young person who wishes to compete at the secondary and college level. What alternatives are there to allow continuous involvement in the sport?

11. Discover and evaluate what Ellen G. White has to say about the proper use of competitive sports by Christians.

12. Share at least one spiritual lesson that you have learned from your experience with a volleyball team.

Printable Answer Key Tab Name/Edit Answer Key

Instructor Required

Some honors are designated as requiring an instructor when the skills are not easy to master through self study. In volleyball, you simply can't learn to play without two teams.

1

Describe the current FIVB rules and mention the eight major rules of volleyball.

The official FIVB ((Federation Internationale de Volleyball)) rules are updated regularly and are found here in various languages. The official rules in English with diagrams run 84 pages but many rules are of little interest to the average player. For example as a player you will not usually be setting the ceiling height or ensuring your school has the right lines of the floor. The things you need to know as a player are pretty easy to master.

Volleyball rules changed significantly in 1998. According to the FIVB "The need to make it more telegenic in order to attract fans and sponsors led to major modifications in 1998, such as the introduction of the Rally Point System, the Libero player, the “let ball in play” rule and many other new rules that makes the game much more attractive."

The major rules of indoor volleyball are:

1. The Game-Volleyball is a game played by two teams consisting of six players on a rectangular court separated into two areas by a net with an inflated ball. One team serves the ball over the net, trying to make it land within the opponent's playing area. The receiving team attempts to return the ball over the net in such a manner that it will land within the opponent's playing area.

2. The Match-teams may play a best two-of-three set match in which a team is considered the winner of the match when it wins two sets. All sets shall be 25 points (no cap). The third set shall not be played unless it is necessary to determine the winner of the match. If a third set is necessary, a coin toss shall be conducted prior to that set.

3. Scoring points- When a team commits a fault, the result is a loss of rally and the opponent shall receive a point. If the serving team wins the rally, it scores a point and continues to serve. If the receiving team wins the rally, it scores a point and gains the serve. Each time a team gains the serve, it must rotate one position clockwise before serving.

4. The set-The first two sets shall be 25 points (no cap), and a team must win by two points. The third and deciding set shall be 15 points (no cap), and a team must win by two points.

5. Termination of set-A team that has scored the required points and has at least a two-point advantage is the winner. If the leading team does not have a two-point advantage, play shall continue until one team has a two-point advantage (no cap).

6. Prematch-Upon entering the facility, the home team selects its team bench. Prior to timed warmups, a conference shall be conducted with the head coach and a captain(s) from each team. During the prematch conference, a coin toss shall be conducted between the captains and head coach of each team. A visiting captain shall call the toss. The winner shall choose either to serve or receive. A timed warm-up period shall be afforded each team.

7. Suspension-A match may be suspended due to: a. Power failure; b. Host management failing to resolve a situation of an unruly spectator(s) in a reasonable amount of time; c. Other unforeseen circumstances. It may be resumed from the point of suspension unless the state association determines otherwise. The score and lineup shall be the same when play is resumed as they were at the moment of suspension. Unless state association rules determine otherwise, a match shall be declared a forfeit when: a. A team refuses to play when directed to do so by the first referee; b. A coach is removed from the premises for unsporting conduct and no authorized school personnel is present to assume responsibility for the team. The score of a forfeited set shall be 25-0 (15-0 in the deciding set) if the set has not started. If the set is in progress, the offending team shall be awarded its acquired points and the opponent awarded at least 25 points (15 points in the deciding set) or a sufficient number to reflect a two-point advantage. . Unless state association rules determine otherwise, a set shall be declared a forfeit when a team has fewer than six players to start the match.

8. Music/Sound Effects/Artificial Noisemakers-The playing of music/sound effects shall only be permitted prior to the start of the set during warmups,time-outs, between sets and following the competition. The use of artificial noisemakers shall be prohibited.

The rules for beach volleyball differ in at least 4 major ways from indoor volleyball.

1. Team size of 2 versatile players instead of 6 specialized players that rotate in and out to maintain their roles.

2. Smaller court (16m x 8m), because sand is harder to run in and there are fewer players. . Indoor courts are 18m x 9m, with a parallel attack line that is 3m from the center line. Back row players must stay behind the attack line when hitting the ball in indoor volleyball but this rule does not apply in beach volleyball.

3. Beach play uses a softer, lighter and a little larger ball than the indoor game.

4. With indoor volleyball, a match consists of five sets, or games. The first team to reach 25 points wins the set. Three sets wins the match, and the fifth tiebreaker set, if necessary, is only played to 15 points. Teams switch sides after every set. In beach volleyball, a match consists of a series of best-of-three game, with each game played to 21 points. Two sets wins the match, and the third tiebreaker set, if necessary, is also played to 15 points.

2

What does the expression "fair play" or “clean game” mean especially to a Christian?

The official rules say:

20.2.1 Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of FAIR PLAY, not only towards the referees, but also towards other officials, the opponent, team-mates and spectators.

When you play a team game like volleyball By the grace of God, (for only through God's grace can we be who we should be) I will be pure and kind and true. (kind to other players and never cheat) I will keep the Pathfinder Law. (and the game rules) I will be a servant of God (representing God as his child) and a friend to man. (other players, referees)

You should also "Do my honest part" on the team, both on the court and off the court when setting up or putting things away etc. As an athlete you must "Care for my body" "Keep a level eye" by playing fair "Be courteous" to others "and obedient" to the rules and the officials. "Keep a song in my heart", because team sports should be a fun way to stay in shape and fellowship together "Go on God's errands" includes being a witness for Jesus in how you play.

3

Define the following terms:

3a

Ace

When the ball is served to the other team, and no one touches it before it hits the ground. Alternativelya serve is called an "ace" when the ball lands directly onto the court or travels outside the court after being touched by an opponent.

3b

Assist

Passing or setting the ball to a teammate who attacks the ball for a kill. This stat is normally only logged for high school, college, and National/Olympic team play.

3c

Attack

The attack, also known as the spike, is usually the third contact a team makes with the ball. The object of attacking is to handle the ball so that it lands on the opponent's court and cannot be defended. A player makes a series of steps (the "approach"), jumps, and swings at the ball.

Ideally the contact with the ball is made at the apex of the hitter's jump. At the moment of contact, the hitter's arm is fully extended above his or her head and slightly forward, making the highest possible contact while maintaining the ability to deliver a powerful hit. The hitter uses arm swing, wrist snap, and a rapid forward contraction of the entire body to drive the ball. A 'bounce' is a slang term for a very hard/loud spike that follows an almost straight trajectory steeply downward into the opponent's court and bounces very high into the air. A "kill" is the slang term for an attack that is not returned by the other team thus resulting in a point.

Contemporary volleyball comprises a number of attacking techniques:

Backcourt (or backrow)/pipe attack: an attack performed by a back row player. The player must jump from behind the 3-meter line before making contact with the ball, but may land in front of the 3-meter line.

Line and Cross-court Shot: refers to whether the ball flies in a straight trajectory parallel to the side lines, or crosses through the court in an angle. A cross-court shot with a very pronounced angle, resulting in the ball landing near the 3-meter line, is called a cut shot.

Tool/Wipe/Block-abuse: the player does not try to make a hard spike, but hits the ball so that it touches the opponent's block and then bounces off-court.

Off-speed hit: the player does not hit the ball hard, reducing its speed and thus confusing the opponent's defense. Quick hit/"One": an attack (usually by the middle blocker) where the approach and jump begin before the setter contacts the ball. The set (called a "quick set") is placed only slightly above the net and the ball is struck by the hitter almost immediately after leaving the setter's hands. Quick attacks are often effective because they isolate the middle blocker to be the only blocker on the hit.

Slide: a variation of the quick hit that uses a low back set. The middle hitter steps around the setter and hits from behind him or her.

Double quick hit/"Stack"/"Tandem": a variation of quick hit where two hitters, one in front and one behind the setter or both in front of the setter, jump to perform a quick hit at the same time. It can be used to deceive opposite blockers and free a fourth hitter attacking from backcourt, maybe without block at all.

A Dump (see below) is also a type of attack.

3d

Bump

Often called the backbone of volleyball, bumping is done by closing hands one on top of the other and using the forearms to hit and control the ball. Also called a pass

3e

Carry

A carry is when a player makes contact with the ball for an excessive amount of time during a set. Same as a Lift. It is against the rules.

3f

Lift

A lift in volleyball is commonly called a "held ball". It is not allowed and rarely seen in professional games but recreational players often do a lift because they have not learned to pass a ball correctly or they hold the ball for more than a moment in their hands while attempting a set. A lift is indicated by the referee lifting one hand with his palm up.

3g

Dig

When a player makes a save from a very difficult spike. Usually connecting with the ball quite low down.

3h

Dink

Lightly hitting the ball with your fingertips or knuckles instead of spiking it hard over the net. It is a good technique to throw in occasionally when the other team is not expecting it. Also called a tip.

3i

Double hit

Successive hits or contacts by the same player. (prohibited)

3j

Dump

The player does not try to make a hit, but touches the ball lightly, so that it lands on an area of the opponent's court that is not being covered by the defense. Often done by the setter, perhaps into a corner of the court. Also called a Dip, Dink, Tip or Cheat (although it is perfectly legal).

3k

Five-One & Six-Two

FIVE-ONE – A 6-player offensive system that uses five hitters and one setter. SIX-TWO – A 6-player offense using 2 setters opposite one another in the rotation. Setter 1 becomes a hitter upon rotating into the front row as setter 2 rotates into the back row and becomes the setter.

3l

Free ball

A ball that will be returned by a pass rather than a spike. This is usually called aloud by the defense instructing players to move into serve receive positions.

3m

Joust

When 2 opposing players are simultaneously attempting to play a ball above the net.

3n

Kill

When a team spikes the ball and it either ends in a point or a sideout.

3o

Libero

In 1998 the libero player was introduced internationally.[20] The libero is a player specialized in defensive skills: the libero must wear a contrasting jersey color from his or her teammates and cannot block or attack the ball when it is entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the libero can replace any back-row player, without prior notice to the officials. This replacement does not count against the substitution limit each team is allowed per set, although the libero may be replaced only by the player whom he or she replaced.

The libero may function as a setter only under certain restrictions. If she/he makes an overhand set, she/he must be standing behind (and not stepping on) the 3-meter line; otherwise, the ball cannot be attacked above the net in front of the 3-meter line. An underhand pass is allowed from any part of the court.

The libero is, generally, the most skilled defensive player on the team. There is also a libero tracking sheet, where the referees or officiating team must keep track of whom the libero subs in and out for. There may only be one libero per set (game), although there may be a different libero in the beginning of any new set (game).

Furthermore, a libero is not allowed to serve, according to international rules, with the exception of the NCAA women's volleyball games, where a 2004 rule change allows the libero to serve, but only in a specific rotation. That is, the libero can only serve for one person, not for all of the people for whom she goes in. That rule change was also applied to high school and junior high play soon after.

3p

Match Point

The point that if won would enable the scorer or the scorer's side to win the match.

3q

Middle hitter

An effective volleyball Middle Hitter is a crucial position in the volleyball team. The majority of the action during a volleyball game happens in and around the middle hitter position located at the center by the net.

3r

Opposite hitter

Opposite hitters or Right-side hitters carry the defensive workload for a volleyball team in the front row. Their primary responsibilities are to put up a well formed block against the opponents' Outside Hitters and serve as a backup setter. Sets to the opposite usually go to the right side of the antennae.

3s

Outside hitter

A left-front or right-front attacker normally taking an approach which starts from outside the court

3t

Rotation

The clockwise movement of players around the court and through the serving position following a side out.

3u

Service / Serve

A player stands behind the inline and serves the ball, in an attempt to drive it into the opponent's court. The main objective is to make it land inside the court; it is also desirable to set the ball's direction, speed and acceleration so that it becomes difficult for the receiver to handle it properly. A serve is called an "ace" when the ball lands directly onto the court or travels outside the court after being touched by an opponent.

In contemporary volleyball, many types of serves are employed:

Underhand: a serve in which the player strikes the ball below the waist instead of tossing it up and striking it with an overhand throwing motion. Underhand serves are considered very easy to receive and are rarely employed in high-level competitions.

Sky ball serve: a specific type of underhand serve occasionally used in beach volleyball, where the ball is hit so high it comes down almost in a straight line. This serve was invented and employed almost exclusively by the Brazilian team in the early 1980s and is now considered outdated. In Brazil, this serve is called Jornada nas Estrelas (Star Trek).

Topspin: an overhand serve where the player tosses the ball high and hits it with a wrist span, giving it topspin which causes it to drop faster than it would otherwise and helps maintain a straight flight path. Topspin serves are generally hit hard and aimed at a specific returner or part of the court. Standing topspin serves are rarely used above the high school level of play.

Float: an overhand serve where the ball is hit with no spin so that its path becomes unpredictable, akin to a knuckleball in baseball. Jump serve: an overhand serve where the ball is first tossed high in the air, then the player makes a timed approach and jumps to make contact with the ball, hitting it with much pace and topspin. This is the most popular serve amongst college and professional teams.

Jump float: an overhand serve where the ball is tossed high enough that the player may jump before hitting it similarly to a standing float serve. The ball is tossed lower than a topspin jump serve, but contact is still made while in the air. This serve is becoming more popular amongst college and professional players because it has a certain unpredictability in its flight pattern.

3v

Set

The set is usually the second contact that a team makes with the ball. The main goal of setting is to put the ball in the air in such a way that it can be driven by an attack into the opponent's court. The setter coordinates the offensive movements of a team, and is the player who ultimately decides which player will actually attack the ball.

3w

Spike

A ball contacted with force by a player on the offensive team who intends to terminate the ball on the opponent's floor or off the opponent's blocker. Also called a hit or attack.

3x

Time out

A time-out is a halt in the play usually to allow the coaches to communicate with the team, perhaps to determine strategy or inspire morale. In volleyball, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) stipulates two 30-second time-outs allowed per team, per set. In FIVB World and Official Competitions, there are two additional 60-second technical time-outs in each set when the leading team reaches the 8th and 16th points, however there is no technical time-out in a tie-breaking set (5th set) (though there is a change of ends at 8 points).

4

Demonstrate and understand the different skills required for each position of volleyball.

5

Demonstrate reasonable proficiency in the following areas:

There are some excellent videos on YouTube by various volleyball coaches that show each position and skill.

5a

Underhand Serve

The player serves by striking the ball below the waist instead of tossing it up and striking it with an overhand throwing motion. Underhand serves are considered very easy to receive and are rarely employed in high-level competitions.

5b

Overhand Serve: The Floater

There are a few variations including:

Float: an overhand serve where the ball is hit with no spin so that its path becomes unpredictable, akin to a knuckleball in baseball.

Jump serve: an overhand serve where the ball is first tossed high in the air, then the player makes a timed approach and jumps to make contact with the ball, hitting it with much pace and topspin. This is the most popular serve amongst college and professional teams.

Jump float: an overhand serve where the ball is tossed high enough that the player may jump before hitting it similarly to a standing float serve. The ball is tossed lower than a topspin jump serve, but contact is still made while in the air. This serve is becoming more popular amongst college and professional players because it has a certain unpredictability in its flight pattern.

5c

Passing

Also called a bump, this is the signature move of volleyball. The Pass is done to control the ball and get ready for a set followed by a spike across the net.

5d

Hitting

5e

Blocking

Blocking refers to the actions taken by players standing at the net to stop or alter an opponent's attack.

A block that is aimed at completely stopping an attack, thus making the ball remain in the opponent's court, is called offensive. A well-executed offensive block is performed by jumping and reaching to penetrate with one's arms and hands over the net and into the opponent's area. It requires anticipating the direction the ball will go once the attack takes place. It may also require calculating the best foot work to executing the "perfect" block.

The jump should be timed so as to intercept the ball's trajectory prior to it crossing over the net. Palms are held deflected downward about 45–60 degrees toward the interior of the opponents court. A "roof" is a spectacular offensive block that redirects the power and speed of the attack straight down to the attacker's floor, as if the attacker hit the ball into the underside of a peaked house roof.

By contrast, it is called a defensive, or "soft" block if the goal is to control and deflect the hard-driven ball up so that it slows down and becomes easier to defend. A well-executed soft-block is performed by jumping and placing one's hands above the net with no penetration into the opponent's court and with the palms up and fingers pointing backward.

Blocking is also classified according to the number of players involved. Thus, one may speak of single (or solo), double, or triple block.

Successful blocking does not always result in a "roof" and many times does not even touch the ball. While it's obvious that a block was a success when the attacker is roofed, a block that consistently forces the attacker away from his or her 'power' or preferred attack into a more easily controlled shot by the defense is also a highly successful block.

At the same time, the block position influences the positions where other defenders place themselves while opponent hitters are spiking.

5f

Setting

The set is usually the second contact that a team makes with the ball. The main goal of setting is to put the ball in the air in such a way that it can be driven by an attack into the opponent's court. The setter coordinates the offensive movements of a team, and is the player who ultimately decides which player will actually attack the ball.

As with passing, one may distinguish between an overhand and a bump set. Since the former allows for more control over the speed and direction of the ball, the bump is used only when the ball is so low it cannot be properly handled with fingertips, or in beach volleyball where rules regulating overhand setting are more stringent. In the case of a set, one also speaks of a front or back set, meaning whether the ball is passed in the direction the setter is facing or behind the setter. There is also a jump set that is used when the ball is too close to the net. In this case the setter usually jumps off his or her right foot straight up to avoid going into the net. The setter usually stands about ⅔ of the way from the left to the right of the net and faces the left (the larger portion of net that he or she can see).

Sometimes a setter refrains from raising the ball for a teammate to perform an attack and tries to play it directly onto the opponent's court. This movement is called a "dump". This can only be performed when the setter is in the front row, otherwise it constitutes an illegal back court attack. The most common dumps are to 'throw' the ball behind the setter or in front of the setter to zones 2 and 4. More experienced setters toss the ball into the deep corners or spike the ball on the second hit.

As with a set or an overhand pass, the setter/passer must be careful to touch the ball with both hands at the same time. If one hand is noticeably late to touch the ball this could result in a less effective set, as well as the referee calling a 'double hit' and giving the point to the opposing team.

5g

Rolling

6

If a beginning player, spend at least 4 hours learning and improving your volleyball skills from a more experienced player. If an experienced player, spend at least 4 hours helping a less skilled or younger player improve their skills in volleyball.

This is a great opportunity to learn how to coach and how to be coached. Pair off the players for the coaching part of the honor. Most of the coaching can occur while you are playing games, just intersperse the less experienced players with the more experienced ones, so that the pairs rotate together through the court.

7

Play at least ten games of volleyball with a full team (6 people). Show "fair play" during practice and games.

Have fun!

8

Report through a paper, skit, or other display about a famous volleyball player. Talk about why you think this player is a good role-model for a Christian.

The requirement presumes you choose a player that is a positive role model. We can't list all the famous volleyball players, but we can provide some general comments.

1. Christians and Pathfinders are encouraged to be fit and keep their body in shape because it is God's temple. All athletes must keep themselves in shape as well.
2. A good athlete has learned to play well with others, especially in a team sport like volleyball. As Christians we need to be productive members of God's team.
3. A good athlete follows the rules or law of the sport. They don't make up rules or choose to ignore rules they dislike. As Christians we must follow God's rules or laws.
4. A good athlete will do charitable work, like a good Christian
5. A good athlete will teach others to be a good athlete, like a good Christian teaches others to be a good Christian. There is no point in hoarding knowledge of how to be the best you can be.
6. A great athlete strives to do their very best. A Pathfinder and Christian should always try to do their very best.

9

Draw a to-scale volleyball court with properly defined boundaries. Label the dimensions including net height, sidelines, end lines, attack line, and center line.

A volleyball court is 18 m (59 ft) long and 9 m (29.5 ft) wide, divided into 9 m × 9 m halves by a one-meter (40-inch) wide net. The top of the net is 2.43 m (8 ft 0 in) above the center of the court for men's competition, and 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in) for women's competition, varied for veterans and junior competitions.

The team courts are surrounded by an area called the free zone which is a minimum of 3 meters wide and which the players may enter and play within after the service of the ball. All lines denoting the boundaries of the team court and the attack zone are drawn or painted within the dimensions of the area and are therefore a part of the court or zone. If a ball comes in contact with the line, the ball is considered to be "in". An antenna is placed on each side of the net perpendicular to the sideline and is a vertical extension of the side boundary of the court. A ball passing over the net must pass completely between the antenna (or their theoretical extensions to the ceiling) without contacting them.

The minimum ceiling height clearance for indoor volleyball courts is 7 m (23 ft), although a clearance of 8 m (26 ft) is recommended.

A line 3 m (9.84 ft) from and parallel to the net is considered the "attack line". This "3 meter" (or "10-foot") line divides the court into "back row" and "front row" areas (also back court and front court). These are in turn divided into 3 areas each: these are numbered as follows, starting from area "1", which is the position of the serving player:

After a team gains the serve (also known as siding out), its members must rotate in a clockwise direction, with the player previously in area "2" moving to area "1" and so on, with the player from area "1" moving to area "6". Each player only rotates one time after the team gains possession of the serve; the next time each player rotates will be after the other team wins possession of the ball and loses the point.

10

Discuss, with your leader, pastor or teacher, the problems faced by the Seventh-day Adventist young person who wishes to compete at the secondary and college level. What alternatives are there to allow continuous involvement in the sport?

The most obvious problem faced by a Seventh-day Adventist who wishes to participate in organized sports is the tendency for games to be scheduled during Sabbath hours. Competitive sports and Sabbath observance are often not compatible with one another. Another challenge at higher levels is pressure to take performance enhancing drugs (doping).

An alternative that avoids Sabbath breaking or drug pressure would be to participate with a group of like-minded individuals. Many towns offer city leagues, and it may be possible to form a team with other members of your church, with the understanding that you will not compete on the Sabbath. The Adventist athlete may also enjoy individual sports instead, or engage in informal pick-up games. A student choosing an Adventist University or College which offers team sports programs is unlikely to experience Sabbath difficulties.

As Christians we need to show Christ-like behavior on the field. Always play fair and be a good sport. Don't trash talk other teams or players. It is OK to try to win, but not in any way that degrades or sets a bad example.

11

Discover and evaluate what Ellen G. White has to say about the proper use of competitive sports by Christians.

Ellen G. White wrote: "I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone. I shrink always from the almost sure result which follows in the wake of these amusements. It leads to an outlay of means that should be expended in bringing the light of truth to souls that are perishing out of Christ" --Selected Messages Book 2, pg. 322.

Here, then, is one of the dangers of athletic sports: the expense involved. Naturally, the more professional the athletic program, the more structured the games, the more intense the competition, the greater will be the temptation to spend money for equipment, travel, rental of facilities, or, in the case of an institution, the construction and maintenance of sports facilities.

In this same passage, Ellen White says that it is "the way" that ball games "have been conducted at the college" at Battle Creek that "does not bear the impress of heaven. . . . There are threads leading out through the habits and customs and worldly practices, and the actors become so engrossed and infatuated that they are pronounced in heaven, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." --Ibid.

Here is a second danger in athletic sports. If they are not properly conducted they become en grossing and infatuating.

She also states: "The games that occupy so much of ... [the student's] time are diverting the mind from study. They are not helping to prepare the youth for practical, earnest work in life. Their influence does not tend toward refinement, generosity, or real manliness.

"Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome. The love of domination, the pride in mere brute force, the reckless disregard of life, are exerting upon the youth a power to demoralize that is appalling.

"Other athletic games, though not so brutalizing, are scarcely less objectionable because of the excess to which they are carried, they stimulate the love of pleasure and excitement, thus fostering a distaste for useful labor, a disposition to shun practical duties and responsibilities. They tend to destroy a relish for life's sober realities and its tranquil enjoyments. Thus the door is opened to dissipation and lawlessness, with their terrible results." --The Education, pg. 210 & 211.

Look again at this quotation and ask yourself this question: Is it not true that every danger brought to view here is all the more hazardous the more intense the competition becomes?

The more competition involved, the more the student's time is consumed and the more he is diverted from preparation for practical life. The more intense the competition, the more brutal the game becomes as any football or basketball fan can tell you. The greater the competitive incentive, the greater the love for victory, the love of domination. Winning is the only thing. The future is now. Losing is like death. The more intense the competition, the more reckless becomes the dis regard of life. When competitive factors dominate an athletic event, that is when the stimulation and pleasure is the greatest, when practical duties are most likely to be neglected, when life's sober realities and tranquil enjoyments lose their relish, and the door is opened most widely to dissipation.

In 1899 Ellen White was in Sydney, Australia, when she encountered a huge crowd on one of the streets. "Hundreds and hundreds, and I might say thousands, were gathered together. 'What is the matter?' I asked. 'It is because of the cricket match,' was the answer. And while men were playing the game of cricket, and others were watching the game, Satan was playing the game of life for their souls.' " In Australasian Union Conference Record, July 26, 1899.

It's not just talking about about baseball or flagball or basketball. We're talking about a far more important game: the game of life. Our opponent is Satan, and only here may it truly be said, "Winning isn't every thing, it's the only thing."

Pathfinders and Christians must be cautious to what standard they hold games and how it is affecting their spiritual life and study of the Word.

12

Share at least one spiritual lesson that you have learned from your experience with a volleyball team.

This is going to be fairly personal, so start thinking about this as you learn volleyball so you can share later.

References

• Ministry Magazine: Ellen G. White and Competitive Sports, written by Ron Graybill

Content on this wiki is generated by people like you, and no one has created a lesson plan for this honor yet. You could do that and make the world a better place.

See AY Honors/Model Lesson Plan if you need ideas for creating one.

AY Honors/Volleyball/Worksheet