If you happened to catch my article in the
December 2000 Digs, you know I have been assisting the Men’s National Sitting
Volleyball Team. We are currently in the process of expanding the program,
and we hope to recruit more disabled athletes who want to play volleyball,
both men and women. In the 2004 Paralympic Games, the sitting volleyball
competition will include women’s teams for the very first time. Athletes
must be able to propel themselves around the floor with the use of their
arms and have a strong spine. Prior experience playing volleyball is not
required. We look forward to teaching anyone interested in joining the
program.
The game of sitting volleyball is played with
teammates who sit on the floor. The court is 10m x 6m with a 2m attack
line, and the net height is set at 1.15m (1m for women). Remember, a meter
is equal to 39.37", if you want to do the math! Players are allowed to
block the serve. They must have some portion of their bottom touching the
floor when attacking or blocking the ball. If not, the referee will blow
the whistle and give a different kind of “lift” call. Players’ positions
are determined by their bottoms. Legs do not count when crossing the attack
or center line. The speed of the game can be very fast since the ball crosses
the net at a much lower point than what we are traditionally used to. It
is truly exciting and fun.
We have several training sessions set up for
the coming months. If you know of any interested athletes, please have
them contact me at 703-323-5283 or dixie.collins@chrva.org. |
