NOVEMBER Group Training with Coach April
Registration is NOW open for Group Training Sessions with me Coach April For BOYS on SATURDAYS 11/8, 11/22, 11/29
For GIRLS on SUNDAYS 11/9, 11/23, 11/30
From 10-11am at the Its All Volleyball gym.
Email: info@improveyourvolley.com to register or for more information- Improve Your Volleyball with Coach April
- High School Varsity Volleyball
- Types of Volleyball Serves
Types of Volleyball Serves Topspin, Missile, Coach Kill, Friendly Fire
Topspin, missile, coach kill, friendly fire and husband and wife play are serving terms used for advanced types of volleyball serves used by varsity players.
These are the 3 types of volleyball serves
- underhand serves
- overhand serves like the float serve
- jump serves like the jump float and jump spin
used by indoor and beach volleyball players.
My Breakfast Club for College group is doing a serving under pressure drill where two serving line of players go at the same time, so one serving line serves to Zone 1 and the other line serves to Zone 5 ..simultaneously.
Learn more about the advanced types of volleyball serving techniques and skills.
These are the 3 types of volleyball serves
underhand serves
overhand serves like the float serve
jump serves like the jump float and jump spin used by indoor and beach volleyball players.- topspin
- missile
- coach
- kill
- friendly fire
- husband and wife play
Types of Volleyball Serves:
What is a Topspin Serve?
What is a Topspin Serve?
During a jump serve, a server uses topspin by making contact with the upper third portion of the ball, on the top panels, after it's tossed.
To create topspin on the ball the server places their hand on the ball in such a way that it
- generates forward rotation once contacted
- making the top of the ball spin forward faster
- increasing its speed and velocity as it travels in the air to the opposing court
so it drops out of the air quickly once it crosses the net.
Standing Topspin vs. Jump Topspin
A server can take a 3-4 step approach behind the service line and in the air contact the top third of the ball so it spins as it crosses the court. This is called a jump topspin serve. (Henry Stern)A server can
- stand on the ground and do a topspin serve without jumping first
or they can
- take a three or four step approach behind the service line and while in the air contact the top third of the ball so it spins as it crosses the court.
This is called a jump topspin serve.
On the beach court which is smaller in size, the topspin serve is quite effective since players have much less time to react to the serve.
Types of Volleyball Serves:
What's a Coach Kill?
What's a Coach Kill?
A coach kill is one of the serving terms used when a player on team a serves the ball into the net or commits a service error of any kind after the coach on team B called a time-out or substitution.
Since the coach called the substitution or the timeout to distract the opposing team's server and to break her concentration, if the coach's strategy works then the "kill" or that point is attributed to the coach's action and not due to any particular player or team action.
Types of Volleyball Serves:
What is Friendly Fire?
Friendly Fire describes what happens when a ball served by one player hits their own teammate, in the back of the head, with the ball.
What is Friendly Fire?
Friendly fire is one of those funny volleyball terms which describes what happens when a ball served by one player hits their own teammate, in the back of the head, with the ball.
This is a fault and a point for the other team.
Types of Volleyball Serves:
What is the Husband and Wife Play?
What is the Husband and Wife Play?
When a server on one team aims the ball so it lands between two players on the opposing team it causes communication problems between the two passers.
This is a serving strategy used by beach players who purposefully serve the ball so it lands between the left side and right side players on the opposing team, causing the two players to "fight' over who is going to receive serve.
Husbands and wives "fight" over things so this is why this has become commonly used beach volleyball jargon used in serving.
Types of Volleyball Serves:
What's a Missile?
What's a Missile?
A "missile" is a term used in volleyball that describes the type of super hard driven serve made by a player.
A missile is a tough serve which may or may not end in a direct point.
If a server serves a missile that hits the floor before anyone can pass it then it results in a direct point also called an ace in volleyball, since the passers aren't able to pass this type of ball.
Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide - $7
Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
Stop letting pressure situations destroy your serves?
You'll Get
- ✓3-bounce physical preparation setup system
- ✓Mental routine for target pre-selection and visualization
- ✓Technical execution checklist for automatic consistency
- ✓Proven tips for bulletproof toss consistency
- ✓Pressure-proof strategies that eliminate serving errors
Click to Download Your Consistent Toss Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Consistent Toss Mastery Guide - $7
Are inconsistent tosses sabotaging your serves and forcing you to chase the ball? Why fight your toss when you could master the foundation of every great serve?
Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played) Checklist pdf:
🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves Guide - $7
You'll Get:
✓Learn exactly what to look for in your player's serving form so you can provide meaningful feedback.
✓Discover how to provide encouragement that actually improves performance and mental toughness.
✓Know exactly what to ask coaches to show you're engaged and help your player develop properly.
✓Simple, effective drills that don't require a gym or expensive equipment.
✓Understand the language coaches use so you can better support your player's development.
✓Help your player develop the psychological aspects of serving that many coaches don't have time to address.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proper Volleyball Serve Technique
1. How can I improve my volleyball serve?
Regular practice is key to improvement. Additionally, you can focus on elements such as having a consistent toss, utilizing your whole body for the serve, aiming for different target areas on the court, and varying the speed and spin of your serve.
2. What kind of serve gives the most control?
For beginners, the underhand serve will most likely provide the most control. As your skills improve, you might find that the overhand serve gives you a good balance of control and power.
3. How can I make my serves more powerful?
Power in serving comes from a combination of arm swing speed, timing, and body momentum.
Working on your physical strength, particularly in your core and serving arm, can also help generate more power in your serves.
Volleyball Serving Drills: Addi, Piper and Hadley Working on their Jump Float Serve To Chairs for Accuracy and Points during semiprivate training with me
4. What is the most difficult type of serve to return?
It can be subjective and depends on the skills of the receiver. Usually, many players find the float serve difficult to return due to its unpredictable trajectory. A well-executed jump serve can also be very challenging to return due to its speed and power.
Listen to what I tell Addi about being aggressive with her armswing.
Working on her floater in volleyball serve today we did 100 reps of the same serve to the same spot so we could problem solve and work on every body part movement...where things go so when its time to do everything faster...we have smoothed out and understood all the possible wrinkles.
5. Can I touch the line while serving in volleyball?
No, you cannot touch the line. While serving, you need to stay behind the end line until you have contacted the ball.
Stepping on or over the line before the ball has been hit is considered a foot fault, and results in the serve going to the other team.
6. Why is my serve going into the net/too long?
If your serves are going into the net, it may be because you could be making contact too low on the ball or you are not generating enough power with your pre-serve technique.
If your serves are too long, you may be swinging at the ball too hard, with too much follow through, too high, or leaning back too much on contact.
Making adjustments in these areas can help improve your serves. I love to help my clients identify what they need to do in order to develop a consistently tough serve.
Ariella and I spend a lot of time developing a tough jump float serve to anywhere I tell her on the court.
Remember that volleyball is about teamwork, skill, and most importantly, enjoyment! Train hard, play fair, and always enjoy the game.
Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to me at april@improveyourvolley.com. I'm here to help you become the best volleyball server you can be!
This has been an important message by your favorite volleyball coach! That's me!!
Thanks for visiting.
Be sure to check out more of my volleyball articles by clicking one of the links below! (April Chapple)
Do You Follow Me on Pinterest?
Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience.
These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis.
Sign up now!Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!
I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.
Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.
If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list.
Volleyball Basics
Where Do You Go From Here?
Where do you need to go now? Here are two options:
- Learn more about How to Play Volleyball by exploring the Related Links below.
- Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
Check out these articles about the volleyball basics for new coaches.
I Love How To Teach Volleyball Serve Skills To High School Players
I'm passing on my knowledge with my love of how to teach volleyball serve skills to high school players because it's my fave way of giving back to the sport.
How to Serve A Floater Known As The Standing Float Serve in Volleyball
Learn how to serve a floater, also called a standing float serve that's hard for the opposing team to pass because of how the ball floats while crossing the net
What Is Pepper In Volleyball? Lets Explore My Tips, Goals and Benefits
What is pepper in volleyball? Learn tips, set goals and explore the importance of attitude and mentality in this dynamic training exercise. Elevate your skills!
The Volleyball Bump How Do You Get To A Ball And Bump In Volleyball
A good volleyball bump tip for beginner high school players learning how to pass a ball is to avoid running and bumping at the same time in serve receive.
How To Attack In Volleyball Tipping The Ball With An Open Hand Dink
How to attack in volleyball with my 3 attacking strategies using your open hand dink to put the ball in an open spot so you can vary your attack hits to score.
Six Best Volleyball Tips That Help You Get Better At Volleyball Fast
These are six of the best volleyball tips one for each basic skill including passing, setting, blocking, digging, spiking and serving that'll improve your game.
Understanding What Are Digs in Volleyball: A Defense Guide for Coaches
What are digs in volleyball? Digs are defensive plays where players use their forearms or hands to save an attacked ball and prevent it from hitting the court.
Volleyball Rotations: Understand What're The Rotations In Volleyball
Volleyball rotations A rally winning team gets one point, the right to serve and one rotation clockwise before the next server gets to serve to start a rally.
Tips On Volleyball Hitting Why Hitters Tip Deep, Cut Or Use Roll Shots
Use these tips on volleyball hitting to improve your offensive game by varying your attacks with different hitting options to beat various teams in defense.
The Spike in Volleyball Learn 7 Ways To Improve Your Hitting Skills
Using the block is one of the hitting skills spikers need to know in order to score more points in offense with their spike in volleyball for their team.
10 Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers
These are 10 hitting tactics that short volleyball players, can rely on hit against and sideout and score against teams with big blockers in the front row.
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2025-26 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2025-26 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2025-26.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
Email me right now to register or for more information.
info@improveyourvolley.com
I have my own special QR code to my Linktree profile!
Scan to find out what you shouldn't be missing!
Affiliate Disclosure
If you make a purchase through a link on my site, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I only recommend products that I believe to have good value. Click to read my
Donations Welcome!
If my free social media online training and/or instruction on this site has helped improve your game or meet your goals CLICK the Cash App link below to make a donation!
Thank you!
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
What Are You Looking For?
Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide -
Players! Learn How To Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist pdf
🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide
Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)
Hi there!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.
Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you can learn more each week!
Stay strong! Stay motivated!
-Coach April
SUSCRIBE to my email newsletter below!
Click to learn more about the weekly volleyball classes and clinics or email info@imrpoveyourvolley.com for information
Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!
A-1 Vegas Volley VBC
In It To Win It Tournament
May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament
Gold Medalists
18s Premier Division
Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts
Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?
Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.
You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me, Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.
Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!
Recent Articles
-
Top Personal Volleyball Coach, April Chapple Preps Passionate Players
Oct 24, 25 12:41 AM
As one of Vegas's most experienced personal volleyball coach, April Chapple is known for producing powerful, peaceful prep players with college style drills. -
Top Private Volleyball Coaches, Coach April Prepares Powerful Players
Oct 24, 25 12:37 AM
Coach April Chapple is one of Vegas's top private volleyball coaches regularly producing powerful, passionate peaceful prep players with college style drills. -
Learn How To Properly Play Volleyball In 2026 With Me Coach April
Oct 23, 25 05:38 PM
If you're a Vegas high school player with goals of wanting to learn how to properly play volleyball and improve your indoor or sand skills contact me for info.