Every player should practice their volleyball serving in order to become a well-rounded athlete. However, in volleyball, there are various serves that may be made, and each one needs to be made correctly using a particular set of skills. Here are some pointers to help you to better your volleyball serving:
- Face the target while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Use your left hand to steadily hold the ball in place.
- Use your non-dominant hand to toss the ball, and aim for a constant height.
- As you prepare to hit the ball, so advance with your dominant foot.
- As you move your weight to your rear foot, swing your dominant arm back.
- As you complete your swing, extend your arm forward and make contact with the ball with the heel of your hand.
- As you make contact, keep an eye on the ball and aim to hit it with a flat surface.
- Swing fully and attempt to steer the ball towards your targeted goal.
Don’t forget to frequently practice your serving to improve accuracy and consistency. To become a flexible server, try perfecting various serves, such as float serves, jump serves, and topspin serves. To make it more difficult for your opponents to receive your serve, keep your eye on your objective and aim for a specific area of the court whenever you serve.
How to serve a volleyball
Following are the several fundamental steps that can be used to serve a volleyball:
- Place both of your feet firmly on the ground as you stand behind the court’s end line.
- Your other arm should be extended out in front of you as you hold the volleyball in one hand.
- Make sure the ball is about a foot over your head when you toss it into the air with your hand.
- Move your serving arm back and then forward to strike the ball with the palm of your hand as it starts to descend.
- Pointing after you with your arm in the desired direction will cause the ball to move.
- Choose a point on the other side of the court that is challenging for the opposing team to defend, like a location close to the back line or a corner of the floor.
- Repeat the procedure as necessary, concentrating on precision and consistency so that you can improve the effectiveness of your serves.
To improve your serves’ technique and control, it’s crucial to practice frequently. Other serves that can be employed include the jump serve, float serve, and topspin serve, all of which can be learnt with practice and advice from a coach or seasoned player.
6 Ways to serve a volleyball
There are numerous ways to serve a volleyball, but the following six are the most popular:
1. Overhand serve
In volleyball, the overhand serve is the most popular kind of delivery. To execute this serve, place one hand behind you for balance as you stand behind the service area and hurl the ball upward with the other. Make the ball come into contact with the bottom of your hand by first swinging your serving arm back and then forward. Extend your arm and position your hand in the direction you want the ball to go, then follow through.
Features
- More potent than an underhand serve
- The front of the hand is used to strike the ball in an overhand stroke.
- Can be struck with many types of spin, such as topspin and leap topspin.
Stages
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart as you have a position near the final line.
- Using one hand, launch the ball into the air.
- Put your opposing foot forward and swing your hitting arm back.
- Leap and strike the ball overhand with the palm of your hand.
- Swing all the way through and land on the opposing foot.
2. Underhand serve
When players are just learning to play volleyball, they will typically serve using their underhands. With your non-dominant hand, hold the ball while underneath the functional area, in a standing position.. Use your dominant hand to make a backward and forward swing before striking the ball with an open palm or closed fist. The objective is for the ball to cross the goal line and land on the other court.
Features
- Simple to learn
- Lower power and pace compared to other serves.
- Often, the ball makes a sharp arc over the net.
Stages
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart as you are in front of the final line.
- Control the ball in one hand, making a fist with the other, and placing it on the opposite forearm.
- To strike the ball with the heel of the hand, twist the fist arm back and then forward.
- Swing all the way through before taking a step with the opposing foot.
3. Jump serve
The jump serve is a more complex serve that calls for greater expertise and training. To execute this serve, take a running start and jump in the direction of the ball. A forceful overhand swing is used to strike the ball when you toss it high in the air and jump up to meet it. Although this serve might be challenging to perfect, when done properly, it can be incredibly powerful.
Features
- Volleyball’s strongest serve
- The palm of the hand is used to strike the ball in an overhand stroke.
- needs to run and jump before striking the ball.
- can be struck with many types of spin, such as topspin and leap topspin.
Stages
- Back up a few steps from the end zone and begin moving forward.
- Leap up and throw the ball with one hand into the air.
- Move the striking arm back and then forward while still in the air, striking the ball with an overhand action.
- Swing through after you land on the opposing foot.
4. Float serve
A volleyball serve called a “float serve” includes the ball being struck with a flat hand so that it travels through the air with little to no spin. The purpose of the Float serve is to make the ball’s flight unpredictable, making it challenging for the receiving team to pass and resulting in an easier point for the serving team. The ball is struck by the server without any spin, which makes it “float” inexplicably in the air.
Features
- Ball is struck without spin, which causes it to “float” unpredictable in the air.
- Because of this, receiving the ball can be challenging.
- calls for fluid and reliable touch with the ball.
Stages
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart as you stand behind the finish line.
- Swing the opposite arm back while holding the ball in one hand.
- Use the heel of your hand to strike the ball with a solid and steady contact.
- Swing all the way through before taking a step with the opposing foot.
5. Topspin serve
In volleyball, a serve known as a topspin is made by striking the ball with a forward spin, which causes it to travel swiftly and drop sharply as it passes the net. The purpose of the topspin serve is to make it harder for the receiving team to pass the ball, resulting in a simpler point for the serving team. Serving with topspin causes the ball to quickly dip and fall over the net. Due to its speed and spin, this serve can be difficult to receive.
Features
- Topspin is used to strike the ball, which causes it to dip and drop swiftly over the net.
- needs to make continuous, fluid involvement with the ball.
- is difficult to accept due to its speed and spin
Stages
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart as you are in front of the end zone.
- Using one hand, launch the ball into the air.
- Put your opposing foot forward and swing your hitting arm back.
- To create topspin, strike the ball with an overhand motion while brushing the top of it with the palm of your hand.
- Swing all the way through and land on the opposing foot.
6. Jump Float serve
In volleyball, a serve called the Jump Float serve entails the server getting a quick kick, hopping, and then striking the ball with a particular serve. The purpose of the Jump Float serve is to create a knuckling effect as the ball travels through the air, making it challenging for the receiving side to pass and making it simpler for the serving team to score a point.
Features
- Needs a running start and a jump before striking the ball;
- can provide more power and speed than a standing float serve;
- ball is hit without spin, causing it to “float” in the air unpredictable
Stages
- Back up a few steps from the finish line and start running.
- Holding the ball in both hands while leaping off the ground
- Using the heel of the hand to create a float, strike the ball with a solid and consistent contact.
- Swing all the way through and land on the opposing foot.
The pros and cons of each serve type vary, and players frequently use a variety of serves according to the circumstance and their own personal strengths and weaknesses.
How to serve a volleyball overhand
Observe the following steps to serve a volleyball overhand:
- Start in the ready position: Starting in the ready position, place your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees slightly, and balance your weight equally on both feet.
- Hold the ball with both hands: Put the ball in your non-dominant hand and hold it steadily at waist level to grip the ball with both hands. Your other hand needs to be fisted and atop the ball.
- Make a forward movement: Using your non-dominant foot, advance towards the object of your attention.
- Raise the ball: Lift the ball with your non-dominant hand as you advance, stretching your arm straight over your head.
- Throw the ball: Using your non-dominant hand, fling the ball into the air, aiming for a point approximately a foot in front of you and a few inches over your head.
- Swing your dominant arm: Make a smooth backward and forward motion with your dominant arm as the ball reaches the pinnacle of its arc. Just above your wrist, strike the ball with the palm of your hand.
- Follow Through: After striking the ball, complete your swing by completely extending your arm in the direction of your intended aim.
- Land on your dominant foot: As soon as your serve is complete, land on your stronger foot to prepare for your next position.
How to serve a volleyball in underhand
Following are the fundamental steps for an underhand volleyball serve:
- Face the net and place your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Your arm should be out in front of you as you hold the ball in your non-dominant hand.
- Back behind you, extend your dominant arm.
- Put more weight on the foot behind you.
- Using your open hand, swing your dominant arm forward and strike the ball.
- Let your arm swing up and forth as you follow through with it.
- You should try to get the ball to get through the net and land on the other team’s court.
It’s crucial to maintain your wrist firmly in place and strike the ball with your hand’s heel, not its fingertips. To give your serve greater momentum, you should also aim to use your legs and hips as well as your arm to generate power. Keep at it; practice is the key to mastering your technique.
How to jump serve in volleyball
If done properly, the jump serve, a sophisticated serving method used in volleyball, can be quite powerful. Following are the necessary steps to execute a jump serve:
- Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart near the back of the serving area is a good place to start.
- Take a couple steps backwards before sprinting at the ball.
- Using your non-dominant hand, toss the ball in front of you high into the air as you move towards it.
- Swing your dominant arm back and leap into the air with your right foot.
- At the peak of your jump, bring your dominant arm forward and make contact with the ball.
- Land on both feet and extend your arm through.
Other guidelines for doing a volleyball jump serve include:
- Make sure to throw the ball far enough so that you can jump and hit it with your highest point of flight.
- At all times, keep your eyes on the ball and concentrate on making firm contact with your hand.
- To improve your timing, accuracy, and power, jump serve regularly.
- If you’re having difficulties with your jump serve, experiment with different tosses or strategies until you find one that works best for you.
How to serve in volleyball for beginners
Below are a few important volleyball serving techniques for newcomers:
- Start out right by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart behind the court’s end line.
- The proper way to hold the ball is with your fingers split out and your dominant hand supporting it behind the ball with your non-dominant hand.
- Use your left hand to throw the ball into the air. You should be able to comfortably hit the ball after the toss if it is high enough.
- Contact the ball by striking it with your dominant hand’s flat, open hand and a straight wrist. Attempt to make contact with the ball with your hand’s middle.
- Lift your arm fully through to generate power after the ball has been touched.
- Continue honing your serving technique while concentrating on precision and uniformity.
Keep in mind that serving is a crucial part of volleyball and that getting good at it takes time and practice. Therefore use patience, concentration, and perseverance.