"9 Square in the Air" Comes to Bells
Bells Elementary School Physical Education Teacher Earns Grant to Bring Combination Volleyball/4 Square Game to Classes
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Guy Campagna was so impressed with the game “9 Square in the Air” that he immediately went into action to bring it to Bells Elementary School. The veteran physical education teacher and 2017-18 Bells Teacher of the Year recently received a New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD) mini-grant that allowed him to purchase the game components. He broke out the game this week in his classes.
“It can be described as a combination of Volleyball and 4 Square,” said Campagna, who was first exposed to the game at last February’s NJAHPERD Convention. “With the support of Donna Costa, District supervisor of health and physical education, I submitted a six-part grant application to NJAHPERD. It was one of only five awarded for 2017 in the state.”
Made out of blue plastic piping, the 9 Square court is a large, above-ground grid broken up into nine equal-sized quadrants. The height of the grid can be adjusted easily from as low as 4 feet, 8 inches, to as high as 7 feet. One student starts in each quadrant – two when playing partners – and the center square starts with the ball. He or she serves into another quadrant, where the ball must be volleyed using one or both hands. A rally ends when the ball either falls in a quadrant (that player must leave the grid) or it goes out of bounds (the striking player leaves the grid). Players then rotate positions (numbered 1 to 9, with No. 9 in the center), with a new player entering the game in the No. 1 square, replacing the eliminated player. The goal is to work your way up to the No. 9 square and stay there as long as you can.
“This is a fast-paced game for students of all ages and skill levels,” Campagna said. “Students can be paired with a partner to increase participation and teamwork. Traditional volleyball can make it difficult for elementary students to learn safe spacing and to sustain a rally. However, 9 Square in the Air helps students have more success, as positions are defined with players defending their square. Basic rules and rotations for the game are easily grasped.
“9 Square in the Air meets the manipulative skills, wellness, and lifetime/cooperative units of the Washington Township Elementary Physical Education curriculum,” he added. “It develops eye-hand coordination, striking skills, body awareness, communication, teamwork and strategy.”
Campagna will be sharing 9 Square in the Air with the District’s five other elementary schools at an in-service session this Friday, February 16th.
- WTPS -