Volleyball Disciplines for People with a Disability
DEAF VOLLEYBALL
What is deaf Volleyball?
Volleyball for the hearing impared varies minimally from the generic form. In formal competition it caters to individuals who have a minimum hearing loss of 55 dB in the better ear.
How does it differ from the generic game?
The most predominant difference from the generic form of volleyball is that a red flag is used for signaling in place of the commonly used whistle.
Who can play?
As previously mentioned above, in formal competitions individuals must be affliated with a national association and be recognised as having a minimum hearing loss of 55 dB in the better ear. Classification procedures apply and can be viewed on the CISS website. However, in social competitions any individual can participate if they suffer from hearing impairment and classification will vary between social competitions.
STANDING VOLLEYBALL
What is standing Volleyball?
Standing volleyball is a discipline of disabled volleyball that is played according to the same set of rules as the able-bodied game. Unlike sitting volleyball, where there are several modifications to the base Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) rule set, there are no such modifications for the standing game.
The standing volleyball court measures 18m x 9m, divided into two sides of 9m deep by 9m wide. The net height is set at a height of 2.43m for men, and 2.24m for women.
How does it differ from the generic game?
Standing Volleyball is played under the same standards as able-bodied volleyball except a classification system exists where players are put into a category depending on the level of their disability, which encourages athletes with a more severe disability to participate.
Who can play?
Standing volleyball is open to athletes with a physical disability who meet the minimum disability requirements for volleyball and who are ambulatory, i.e. able to walk. An athlete’s disability must be permanent (either progressive or non-progressive). Athletes with progressive physical disabilities (i.e., muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, etc.) are given a temporary classification and must be classified at each competition.
Competitors can include athletes with cerebral palsy, athletes who are amputees, athletes with limb paralysis, athletes with joint restrictions, athletes with shortened limbs, athletes with progressive illnesses such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis, etc.
SITTING VOLLEYBALL
What is sitting Volleyball?
Sitting volleyball is an adapted game for people with disabilities, it has enjoyed full Paralympic status since 1980. The game is an excellent vehicle for players returning from injury during rehabilitation.
How does it differ from the generic game?
• The court is smaller — 10m x 6m (2m attack zone)
• The net is lower — 1.15m for men and 1.05m for women
• Players remain seated on court during play
• Service can be blocked
• The passage of play is quicker due to reduced court size
Who can play?
Sitting Volleyball is open to athletes with a physical disability who meet the minimum disability requirements for volleyball. An athlete’s disability must be permanent (either progressive or non-progressive). Athletes with progressive physical disabilities (i.e., muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, etc.) are given a temporary classification and must be classified at each competition.
Competitors can include athletes with cerebral palsy, athletes who are amputees, athletes with limb paralysis, athletes with joint restrictions, athletes with shortened limbs, athletes with progressive illnesses such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis, etc.
Sitting Volleyball provides the opportunity for enjoyable competition between abled bodied players and players with a disability. Able bodied players have no advantage over disabled players, making the game very suitable for integrating able & disabled players.
Sitting Volleyball Australia: http://www.sittingvolleyball.org.au/
