Activity to Teach the Volleyball Dig in PE: “Dig Volley-Tennis” (Grades 6–12)

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Teaching the volleyball dig (forearm pass) in PE can be tricky: students tend to swing their arms, flick wrists, or send the ball flat and uncontrolled. This quick, no-prep game fixes that fast because it forces correct technique and gives students tons of reps in a fun way.

Dig Volley-Tennis is a small-sided PE game that uses forearm pass only, a single-bounce rule, and a simple “bench net” setup—perfect for middle school and high school PE.

Why this dig drill works (and why students love it)

Platform control (wrists locked, elbows straight, thumbs together)
Reading the bounce and moving early
Lofted forearm passing (arc instead of flat)
Game-like decision-making in a safe, structured format

Quick Overview

Grade level: 6–12
Time: 10–15 minutes
Skill focus: Volleyball dig / forearm pass
Format: 1v1 or 2v2
Space: Small square courts (multiple courts at once)

How to Play: Dig Volley-Tennis Rules

Serve

Underhand self-toss → forearm pass over the bench from behind the baseline.

Rally rule (the magic part)

The ball must bounce exactly once in the opponent’s court before they return it.

Contact rule

Forearm pass only on every touch.
No sets, tips, catches, or throws.

Scoring

Rally scoring to 7–11 (your choice)
Win by 2 optional
Serve rotates every 2 points (1v1)
In 2v2: rotate clockwise on side-out (or rotate serve every point to simplify)

Faults

- More than 1 bounce
- Ball returned before it bounces
- Illegal contact (carry/throw/wrist flick)
- Ball lands out

Success Criteria (Quick Check)

Students are successful when:

Every touch is a legal forearm pass
The ball clears the bench with an upward arc
Each exchange includes one—and only one—bounce before the return
Teams rally to the target score with safe spacing and quick resets

Common Errors → Quick Fixes

Problem: They “volley/carry” instead of dig
Fix: Lock wrists, straighten elbows, contact on forearms only.

Problem: Ball goes flat/low into the net
Fix: Lower hips, drive through knees/hips for lift.

Problem: Too many bounces (or none)
Fix: Everyone calls “Bounce!”. If unsure, pause and re-serve.

Problem: Shanks left/right
Fix: Move earlier, square hips/shoulders, adjust platform angle.

Differentiation (Make it easier or harder fast)

Easier

Bigger courts
Lower the net (rope instead of bench)
Allow 2 bounces
Allow “control then send”: two digs per side (dig to self → dig over)

Harder

Smaller courts
Raise the “net”
No extra steps after the bounce
Add target zones for points
First touch must cross beyond a service line

Assessment (Fast formative check)

Use a 1–3 scale checklist:

Forearm contact only on all sends/receives ✔
Exactly one bounce before each return ✔
Controlled arc clearing the bench ✔

Quick FAQ (helps SEO)

Is this a good volleyball dig drill for PE?
Yes—students get high reps, the rules force correct technique, and it is game-like.

Does this work for middle school and high school?
Yes. Use court size + bounce rules to scale difficulty.

What if I do not have a volleyball net?
Use a bench, rope, cones with a string, or any low barrier.

If you want a printable version with task cards, cues, and station cards, check my Volleyball resources here: