Although the game is a developmental stage for prospective players of Volleyball, Mini Volleyball is not just that, it is a fun game on its own. Volleyball players can use it as a training regime in preparation for games, to highlight tactical areas of the game or to help an injured player regain their fitness gradually.
The target ages range between under 6 to 12 year old children. The FIVB recognizes this game as a means of developing the interest of kids, their parents and new fans in the game of volleyball by introducing the age-grade iteration.
Many modern-day volleyball professionals gained their affection for the sport from playing the mini version as kids. For up to 80 years after it was invented, volleyball was restricted to older players who picked up the game at a later stage in life.
It was however thought that getting the game to be played from a young age will help make even better players in future, the idea was sown and in 1971, Mini Volleyball was born.
All of the developments and rules changing around the game since then have gone into making it a learning curve to help children grow into successful volleyball players.
Its impact has gone beyond just getting more kids to volley a ball, it has increased the attention being paid to the sport as a whole with parents showing more interest in the game because their kids are involved in it. Such awareness has generated more revenue for the sport and has seen more investment in the Mini game – a very welcome cycle by anyone’s standards.
To answer the question of who can play Mini Volleyball, it simply is for any sports – inclined child aged 6-12. It may also be played by kids a little over that age, but they are the focus group.
The goal is always emphasized by all concerned not to be winning at all costs, but to engender the spirit of teamwork, sportsmanship and help them develop physically.
The coaches therefore, have the job of deciding what suits particular kids placed in their care, and ultimately, who plays Mini-Volleyball