Synopsis: This game features normal play, but with the use of bonus points and a focus on scoring points in bunches.
Age/Skill Level: This game is suitable for intermediate to advanced players.
Requirements: two teams, full court
Execution: This is a 6 vs 6 game which operates normally in terms of service initiation and the play thereafter. The difference is in the objective and the scoring system. Teams are aiming to score 7 points in a row. Any rally win is a point. A bonus point, though, is given for first ball kills. Thus, it takes at least 4 straight rally wins for a team to win the game (three first ball serve receive or transition kills and a rally win). If at any point a team loses a rally its points revert to zero.
Variations:
- You can alter the bonus point earning process to focus on whatever you prioritize – like certain types of offensive plays, aces, stuff blocks, kills on off-speed shots, etc.
- You can even have smaller or larger bonus points (say 2 for a first ball kill and 1 for a 3-pass), especially if you find the 7-point target a bit too challenging for your team.
- To create a more intense focus on serve receive offense you can assign one team to serve to start every play.
- There should be no problem running this as a small-sided game.
Additional Comments:
- The main focus here is on scoring points in a row, and conversely preventing the other team from scoring points in bunches. As a result, it would be best if the bonus points you employ support that cause.
- I saw this one used by USC, though I might have it presented here in a slight different fashion than it was run.
- If you do have only one team serve you’ll want to allow for miss serves (but not two in a row) to encourage aggressive serving.
