Grade 9
Course ContentRules of sports (Volleyball, Football)
Sawa Mwanafunzi! Ready to Rule the Game?
Habari! Ever watched the Harambee Stars score a last-minute goal at Kasarani and the whole crowd goes wild? Or seen our amazing Malkia Strikers spike a ball with so much power it's just a blur? That feeling is pure magic! But to truly understand and love these games, you need to know the rules. Think of the rules as the secret language of sports. Once you learn it, the game becomes ten times more exciting! Today, we are going to become experts in the rules of Kenya's two favourite games: Football and Volleyball. Let's get started!
The Beautiful Game: Rules of Football (Mpira wa Miguu)
Football is more than just kicking a ball. It's about strategy, teamwork, and skill. The main goal is simple: score by getting the ball into the opponent's net more times than they get it into yours.
The Pitch (Uwanja)
The football field is our stage. It has specific lines that mean different things.
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| G |(_________________) | (_________________)| G |
| O | | | | | | | O |
| A | | ( ) | | | ( ) | | A |
| L | |_______________| | |_______________| | L |
| | | | | | |
|---------------------O---------------------|
| | | | | | |
| L | Penalty Area | Centre | | L |
| I | |_______________| Circle |_______________| I |
| N | | ( ) | | ( ) | N |
| E | | | | | E |
| |(_________________).....|.....(_________________)| |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
Image Suggestion: A vibrant, sun-drenched photograph of the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, packed with cheering fans wearing Kenyan colours. The pitch is lush green, perfectly marked, with two teams like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in the middle of a tense match.
Players and Key Rules
A team has 11 players on the field, including one goalkeeper who is the only player allowed to use their hands (and only inside their own penalty area!).
- Offside Rule: This is the trickiest rule! A player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent when the ball is played to them. Think of it like this: you can't be a "goal-hanger" just waiting by the keeper! You must stay behind the defenders until the ball is passed forward.
- Fouls: You can't trip, push, or unfairly challenge an opponent. A small foul results in a free-kick. A more serious foul gets a yellow card (a warning), and a very bad foul (or two yellow cards) gets a red card - you're out of the game!
- Penalty Kick: If a defender commits a foul inside their own penalty area, the other team gets a penalty kick. It's a one-on-one showdown between the kicker and the goalkeeper!
Scenario: The Mashemeji Derby
Imagine Michael Olunga playing for Harambee Stars. He dribbles past two defenders and is about to shoot inside the penalty box. A defender from the other team slides and trips him from behind. The referee blows the whistle! What happens next? That's right - a penalty kick for Kenya! and likely a yellow or red card for the defender.
How Teams Win a League
In a league like the Kenya Premier League, teams collect points from every match.
- A Win = 3 points
- A Draw = 1 point
- A Loss = 0 points
Let's calculate a team's points after 3 games:
- Game 1: Win vs Tusker FC -> 3 points
- Game 2: Draw vs Ulinzi Stars -> 1 point
- Game 3: Win vs KCB FC -> 3 points
-------------------------------------------------
Total Points = 3 + 1 + 3 = 7 points
Power and Grace: Rules of Volleyball (Mpira wa Wavu)
Volleyball is a fast-paced game of power, precision, and incredible teamwork. When you see our national heroes, the Malkia Strikers, play, you see this in action! The goal is to send the ball over the net and make it land in the opponent's court.
The Court and The Net
A volleyball court is divided into two halves by a net. Each side has a front row and a back row, separated by the attack line.
+--------------------------------+
| | | |
| Back Row | | Front Row |
| | | |
|----------|---------|-----------| <-- Attack Line
| | | |
| | | |
================================== <-- Net
| | | |
| | | |
|----------|---------|-----------|
| | | |
| Back Row | | Front Row |
| | | |
+--------------------------------+
^
|-- Service Area (behind this line)
Image Suggestion: An explosive, dynamic action shot of the Kenyan women's national volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, in their iconic green and red kits. A player is mid-air, powerfully spiking the ball over the net, while her teammates are in a ready position below. The opponents on the other side are diving to receive the ball.
Gameplay and Key Rules
Each team has 6 players on the court. The game starts with a serve from behind the back line.
- The Three-Hit Rule: A team has a maximum of three touches to return the ball to the opponent's side. The perfect sequence is often: Bump (Pass) -> Set -> Spike (Attack)!
- Rotation: After a team wins back the serve, its players rotate one position clockwise. This ensures everyone gets to play in different positions.
- Common Faults: You lose a point if you...
- Hit the ball more than three times on your side.
- Touch the net during play.
- Lift, catch, or throw the ball (it must be 'rebounded').
- Step on or over the service line while serving.
- The ball lands outside the court lines.
Understanding a Volleyball Score
Volleyball uses a "rally point" system, meaning a point is scored on every single play. A set is won by the first team to reach 25 points, but they must win by at least 2 points.
Example 1: Winning a Set
- The score is 24-22 for Malkia Strikers.
- Malkia Strikers score the next point.
- Final score: 25-22. They win the set!
Example 2: Win by Two Rule (Deuce)
- The score is tied at 24-24.
- The game continues. No one has won yet!
- The next point makes it 25-24. Still no winner.
- The team with 25 must score again to make it 26-24 to win the set.
If the other team scores, it goes back to 25-25!
A Story of a Comeback: Imagine the Malkia Strikers are playing Egypt. The score is 21-24. It's set point for Egypt! But Kenya serves, wins the point. 22-24. They serve again, a powerful spike! 23-24. The crowd is tense! Another amazing rally, and Kenya ties it 24-24! They use this momentum to win the set 26-24. That is the fighting spirit of volleyball!
Now You're the Referee!
See? The rules aren't so complicated! In Football, it's about controlling the ball with your feet, working as a team of 11, and understanding key ideas like the offside rule. In Volleyball, it's about the "bump-set-spike" rhythm, rotating as a team of 6, and fighting for every single point.
Knowing these rules makes you a better player and a smarter fan. Go out there, play fair, have fun, and maybe one day you will be the one wearing the Harambee Stars or Malkia Strikers jersey! Kila la kheri!
Habari Class! Welcome to the Heart of the Game!
Hello future champions! Whether you dream of scoring a winning goal for the Harambee Stars or delivering a powerful spike like the Malkia Strikers, understanding the rules is the first step to greatness. The rules are not just to control the game; they are the lugha ya mchezo (the language of the game). They ensure fairness, safety, and allow for the beautiful strategies we love to watch. Today, we dive deep into the rules of two of our nation's most beloved sports: Football and Volleyball. Mpo tayari? Let's begin!
The Beautiful Game: Football (Mpira wa Miguu)
From the dusty fields in our villages to the big stadiums like Kasarani, football unites us. The main objective is simple: score by getting the ball into the opposing team's goal. But how we get there is guided by some very important rules.
The Field of Play & The Players
A standard football pitch has specific markings that every player must know. The game is played by two teams, each with 11 players on the field (including a goalkeeper).
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| G | | | G |
| O |------[Penalty Box]----|----[Penalty Box]------| O |
| A |(6-yd) | (6-yd)| A |
| L | | | L |
| +-------------------+-------------------+ |
| |
| |
| |
|--------------------(Halfway Line)-------------------|
| |
| (Centre Circle) |
| . |
| |
| |
| +-------------------+-------------------+ |
| G | | | G |
| O |------[Penalty Box]----|----[Penalty Box]------| O |
| A |(6-yd) | (6-yd)| A |
| L | | | L |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
Image Suggestion: A vibrant, sunny photograph of a diverse group of Kenyan high school students, boys and girls, playing football on a green but well-used school pitch in rural Kenya. The background shows acacia trees and a simple school building. The style should be realistic and full of energy.
The Offside Rule: Not as Complicated as it Seems!
This is the rule that causes the most debate from here to Manchester! An attacking player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent when the ball is played to them. You are only penalised for being in this position if you become actively involved in the play. Sawa?
Let's visualize it:
Goal <-- GK -- D2 --- A1 <--- (Ball is passed here) --- M1
(Opponent's Goal)
GK = Goalkeeper
D2 = Second-to-last Defender
A1 = Attacking Player 1
M1 = Midfielder with the ball
In this diagram, Attacker A1 is OFFSIDE because they are past the second-to-last defender (D2) when their teammate (M1) passes the ball forward.
Real-World Scenario: Imagine Gor Mahia is playing AFC Leopards in the Mashemeji Derby. A Gor Mahia midfielder plays a long pass. The striker is already past all the AFC Leopards defenders except the goalkeeper. The linesman raises his flag. Why? Because the striker was in an offside position when the ball was kicked!
Calculating League Points
In a league like the Kenyan Premier League, teams earn points to determine their rank. Understanding this math is key to following the season. The system is simple:
- Win: 3 points
- Draw: 1 point
- Loss: 0 points
Let's calculate the points for a team, say Tusker FC, after three matches:
Match 1: Tusker FC vs Ulinzi Stars (Result: Win)
Points from Match 1 = 3
Match 2: Tusker FC vs Kakamega Homeboyz (Result: Draw)
Points from Match 2 = 1
Match 3: Tusker FC vs Posta Rangers (Result: Win)
Points from Match 3 = 3
STEP-BY-STEP CALCULATION:
--------------------------
Total Points = (Points from Match 1) + (Points from Match 2) + (Points from Match 3)
Total Points = 3 + 1 + 3
Total Points = 7 points
Power and Grace: Volleyball
Volleyball is a game of explosive power, teamwork, and high-flying action! Our very own Malkia Strikers have made us proud on the world stage, showing what Kenyan spirit can achieve. The goal is to send the ball over the net so that the opposing team cannot return it or commits a fault.
The Court & Team Formation
A volleyball court is divided into two halves by a net. Each team has 6 players on their side of the court at any one time, in specific positions.
+---------------------------------+ <-- Back line
| (4) (3) (2) | <-- Front row
|---------------------------------| <-- Attack line (3m line)
| (5) (6) (1) <--S | <-- Back row (S=Server)
+=================================+ <-- Net
| (1)S > (6) (5) |
|---------------------------------|
| (2) (3) (4) |
+---------------------------------+
Players rotate in a clockwise direction each time their team wins a point from the other team's serve (this is called a side-out).
Image Suggestion: A dynamic action shot of the Kenyan women's national volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, in their official jerseys. One player is mid-air, spiking the ball powerfully over the net during an international match. The crowd is a blur in the background, focusing on the intensity and athleticism of the players.
Scoring: The Rally Point System
Modern volleyball uses the rally point system. This means a point is scored on every single serve, regardless of which team served the ball.
- A set (except the 5th) is won by the team that first scores 25 points with a minimum lead of two points.
- If the score is 24-24, play continues until a two-point lead is achieved (e.g., 26-24, 27-25).
- A match is typically the best of 5 sets.
Let's see how a team wins a set:
SCENARIO: Kenya vs. Egypt
Current Score: Kenya 24 - 23 Egypt
1. Kenya serves. A rally begins.
2. Egypt fails to return the ball.
3. The referee awards the point to Kenya.
CALCULATING THE FINAL SCORE:
-----------------------------
Kenya's Previous Score = 24
Point Won = +1
-----------------------------
Kenya's Final Score = 25
CHECKING THE WIN CONDITION:
-----------------------------
Is Kenya's score >= 25? Yes (it's 25).
Is Kenya's score >= Egypt's score + 2? Yes (25 is >= 23 + 2).
RESULT: Kenya wins the set 25-23.
Real-World Scenario: Imagine the score is 24-24. This is a "deuce." The pressure is on! The next team to score gets "advantage." If that same team scores again, they win the set. If the other team scores, the score goes back to 25-25. The set must be won by two clear points!
The Three Hits
This is the fundamental rhythm of volleyball. A team is allowed a maximum of three touches to return the ball to the opponent's side. A block at the net does not count as one of these touches. The ideal sequence is:
- Bump (or Dig): Receiving the serve or attack.
- Set: Positioning the ball for the attacker.
- Spike (or Attack): Hitting the ball forcefully over the net.
A player cannot hit the ball twice in a row (a "double touch").
Why Rules Matter
Class, rules are the foundation of every great sport. They challenge players to be skilful, strategic, and disciplined. Knowing them makes you a better player, a smarter fan, and a more respectable athlete. They turn a simple game into a contest of excellence.
So, whether you are on the pitch or in the stands, respect the rules, respect the officials, and respect your opponents. Now go out there, play fair, and make Kenya proud!
Sawa Sawa Mwanaspoti! Mastering the Game: The Rules of Volleyball and Football
Habari yako, future sports champion! Welcome to our class. Think about the last time you watched the Malkia Strikers dominate the volleyball court or the Harambee Stars battle it out on the football pitch. What makes those games so exciting and organized? It's the rules! Just like we have rules on our roads to avoid chaos, sports have rules to ensure the game is fair, safe, and fun for everyone. Today, we're going to break down the essential rules of two of Kenya's most beloved sports: Volleyball and Football. Let's get started!
🏐 Volleyball: The Game of Bumps, Sets, and Spikes!
Volleyball is a game of speed, teamwork, and powerful plays. It's not just about hitting the ball over the net; it's a strategic dance where every player has a role. Let's learn the steps!
The Court and The Team
The game is played on a rectangular court, divided by a net. Each team has 6 players on their side of the court at any one time.
Volleyball Court Layout
+-----------------------------------------+
| | |
| Back Row | Front Row | <-- Attack Line (3m from net)
| | |
|----------------+------------------------|
| | |
| | |
| (Team B) | (Team A) |
| | |
| | |
|----------------+------------------------|
| | |
| Front Row | Back Row | <-- Attack Line
| | |
+-----------------------------------------+
^
|
The Net
- Court Size: 18 meters long and 9 meters wide.
- Net Height: 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women.
- Key Player Roles: The Setter (like the team's quarterback, setting up attacks), the Hitter/Spiker (who scores the powerful points), and the Libero (a defensive specialist in a different coloured jersey).
Kenya Connection: Think of the legendary Kenyan setter, Jane Wacu. Her job was to receive the ball and 'set' it perfectly for a spiker like Mercy Moim to smash it over the net for a point. That's pure teamwork guided by the rules!
Scoring and Winning
Volleyball uses a rally scoring system. This means a point is scored on every single serve, regardless of which team served the ball.
- Winning a Set: The first team to score 25 points wins the set, but they must win by at least 2 points (e.g., 25-23 or 26-24).
- Winning the Match: A match is usually the best of 5 sets. The first team to win 3 sets wins the match. The fifth and final set, if needed, is played to 15 points (again, win by 2).
The Three Sacred Hits
A team has a maximum of three hits to return the ball over the net. The ideal sequence is:
- Bump (or Pass): Receiving the serve or attack with your forearms.
- Set: Using your fingertips to position the ball for the attacker.
- Spike (or Attack): Hitting the ball forcefully over the net to score.
Image Suggestion: [A dynamic, colourful action shot of the Kenyan women's volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, during a match. One player is jumping high at the net to spike the ball, while her teammates are in a ready, defensive stance behind her. The crowd is a blur of excitement in the background. Style: Sports photography.]
Key Rules and Fouls to Remember
- Rotation: After winning a point from the opponent's serve, your team must rotate one position clockwise. This ensures everyone plays in different positions.
- In/Out: The ball is 'in' if it touches any part of the court or the boundary lines. It is 'out' if it lands completely outside the lines.
- Net Foul: A player cannot touch the net during play.
- Foot Fault: The server cannot step on or over the back line while serving.
- Illegal Hits: You cannot catch, hold, or throw the ball. A 'double touch' (hitting the ball twice in a row by the same player) is also a foul.
⚽ Football: The Beautiful Game
From the local pitches in our neighbourhoods to the electrifying atmosphere of the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, football is in our blood! But to truly appreciate it, you must know the rules that govern the flow of the game.
The Pitch and The Team
A standard football match is played with 11 players per team on the field, including a goalkeeper.
Football Pitch Diagram
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| G |'---. .---'| G |
| O | | | _______________________ | | | O |
| A | | A | | | | | A | | A |
| L | | | | | | | | | L |
| |'---' |___________O___________| '---'| |
| | | (Centre Circle) | | |
| | Penalty | | Penalty | |
| | Area | | Area | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
- Match Duration: A match consists of two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime break. The referee can add 'stoppage time' for interruptions.
- Objective: To score by getting the ball completely over the opponent's goal line.
The Infamous Offside Rule
This is the one that confuses many fans! Let's simplify it.
A player is in an offside position if:
- They are in the opponent's half of the pitch, AND
- They are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (the last opponent is usually the goalkeeper).
It's only an offence if the player in that position becomes actively involved in the play (e.g., receives the ball or interferes with a defender). You cannot be offside from a throw-in, corner kick, or goal kick.
Offside Example:
(Goal) <-- GK -- DEF --> ATTACKER (He is offside!)
(Ball is passed here)
^
|
TEAMMATE
Real-World Scenario: Imagine Michael Olunga running towards the goal. His teammate passes the ball forward to him. If, at the moment the ball was kicked, Olunga was already past all defenders except the goalkeeper, the referee will blow the whistle for an offside offence!
Fouls, Cards, and Calculating Points
Fouls are punished with free kicks or penalty kicks.
- Direct Free Kick: Awarded for serious fouls like tripping or pushing. You can score directly from this kick.
- Indirect Free Kick: Awarded for less serious offences like offside or dangerous play. The ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.
- Penalty Kick: Awarded if a direct free kick offence happens inside the defending team's penalty area.
- Yellow Card: A warning for unsporting behaviour. Two yellow cards for the same player equals a Red Card.
- Red Card: The player is sent off the field, and their team must play with one fewer player for the rest of the match.
In a league like the Kenyan Premier League, points are crucial. Here is how they are calculated:
League Point Calculation
- Win = 3 Points
- Draw = 1 Point
- Loss = 0 Points
Example: If Tusker FC plays 3 matches:
- Match 1: Win (3 points)
- Match 2: Loss (0 points)
- Match 3: Draw (1 point)
Total Points = 3 + 0 + 1 = 4 Points
Image Suggestion: [An energetic, wide-angle photo of a Kenyan Premier League match, perhaps the Mashemeji Derby. The stadium is packed with fans wearing the green of Gor Mahia and the blue/white of AFC Leopards. Two players are challenging for the ball in the midfield. The atmosphere looks intense and passionate. Style: Vibrant, documentary-style sports photography.]
Conclusion: Play with Skill, Play with Respect
Well done, mwanaspoti! You now have a solid foundation in the rules of volleyball and football. Remember, rules are not there to limit you; they are there to create a fair and exciting challenge. The best athletes, from our own Malkia Strikers to global superstars, know these rules inside and out. It allows them to be creative, strategic, and respectful opponents. So next time you play or watch a game, pay attention to the rules. You'll see the sport in a whole new light! Keep practicing, play fair, and most importantly, have fun!
Pro Tip
Take your own short notes while going through the topics.
