Seniors are pulling up a chair to play ... volleyball?

Dianne Smith’s parents have been calling her a lot lately from their retirement village in Ohio, asking the same question: Organized any new senior chair volleyball teams?

Smith’s parents are so thrilled about their team -- which this year qualified for Senior Olympics play -- that they’re eager to see others get in on the fun.

Thanks to Smith, a recreation specialist for the Montgomery County Recreation Department in Maryland, that’s happening.

Since October she has introduced the sport to 10 senior centers. Basically, it’s volleyball played with a beach ball by people who are seated. It’s something almost anyone can do, even from a wheelchair.

So far, it’s attracted mostly people over 60, said Smith. It’s not all just for fun. “It’s also good exercise; just the laughing part is exercise,” Smith said.

After Smith’s mom had a small stroke last year, her first outing for exercise was to play volleyball.

The game also provides an opportunity for positive social interaction.

The rules are easy: You must stay seated and your feet must remain on the floor.

The ball can hit anything -- including the back of a player’s head -- and still be in play, as long as it doesn’t touch the floor.

There are typically six players per team, but it can vary.

Spaces such as senior center multipurpose rooms, where seniors can’t avoid playing off low ceilings, are typical game venues.

Smith totes a badminton net and PVC pipes to game sites, but she’s hoping to get more equipment and storage space at centers as the program expands past about two games per week. That way, seniors can play or practice on their own.

Meanwhile, she said, she enjoys seeing people discover the sport.