Welcome to my informative guide on the float serve volleyball technique!
The float serve technique is a distinctive serving skill used to confuse opposing team passers and help you score aces.
In this article, I provide a clear definition of the float serve volleyball skill.
So, let's get into it and unravel the secrets of this powerful serving technique.
Addi works on her jump float serve toss consistency while aiming for a deep line serve to Zone 5.
The float serve in volleyball is a type of overhand serve done by contacting the ball using the top part of the palm of your hand to make contact with the middle panels of the ball while keeping a rigid wrist upon contact in order to avoid generating spin on the ball.
Unlike a traditional spin serve, the float serve relies on the fluid motion of the server's hand and the ball's aerodynamics to create unpredictable movement in the air after contact while moving from one half court to the other.
The unique characteristic of the float serve lies in its ability to keep the passers guessing while challenging the opposing team, often resulting in shanks and mispassed balls and aces scored and creates valuable opportunities for the serving team to gain an advantage in the rally.
High school varsity volleyball player Brooklyn performs the jump float serve during semi private training lessons.
A: The float serve volleyball skill is a type of overhand volleyball serve performed by contacting the ball with a flat hand in the middle panels of the ball.
This makes it difficult for the receiving team to read and anticipate where its going to land in their court.
Remember, staying balanced in the air and when you land is the key.
Start by positioning your feet shoulder-width apart with the foot of your non-dominant leg slightly forward and your bodyweight on your back foot.
Be ready to start your serve with a slow step that gets your body moving with forward momentum, before you toss and spring into the air after taking the last two steps of your approach.
While in the air, keep your body tall and balanced while bringing your serving hand with a flat wrist to contact the middle of the ball with the middle of the palm of your hand.
Remember once you contact the ball your hips and shoulders should be facing the direction of your target, where you want the ball to go upon your landing.
That way you can make minor last minute changes if your toss is off while you're still in midair.
Start by watching your opponents during warm-ups.
Spot any weak passers? Perfect, aim for them!
Do they have a left-handed player who passes in serve receive?
Then serve to their right side.
See a gap also known as a "seam" between players or near the corners of the court?
Even better. Aim your serve there.
Additionally, it's crucial to exploit potential gaps or seams in the opposing team's serve receive formation.
Targeting these areas with your float serve creates confusion and hesitation among the passers in serve receive, increasing the possibility of them failing to effectively pass the ball to their setter or their intended target.
Weak passers or players who have just made mistakes are often low in confidence, more likely to commit errors, which makes them easier targets to exploit and go after with your serve.
By observing the warm-up sessions or paying attention to previous rallies, you can identify players who struggle with their passing technique or show signs of inconsistency.
Typically, weak passers will be found in specific positions, such as the left-back or right-back.
Aim your serves towards these players to increase the chances of disrupting their reception consistency and putting pressure on the opposing team's receiving set-up.
Yes, these playing and "next level' float serve volleyball strategies are used at all levels of play, from beginner to professional.
That's how you make varsity and that's how you get more playing time.
Avoid overthinking it - nerves can get the best of you!
Don't rush your approach and jump, you have 6 to 8 seconds to prepare your serve so no need to rush, take your time.
Oh, and contacting the ball too high can send the ball out of bounds to the back wall or contacting the ball too low will serve it into the net.
Ah, the million-dollar question which I get at least several times a week from guy and girl high school players .
The secret is in strengthening your legs.
As a high school player who began to lift weights first with bodyweight and then in the weightroom I knew this had to be my focus in order to gaining an edge in order to run and play faster and jump higher.
And nothing has changed.
Power exercises like squats, box jumps, or even simply jumping rope can all increase your jump height.
Ask me or email me about the ATG Volleyball Conditioning program that's perfect for high school players looking for leg strengthening programs.
Jumping higher gives you more time to create a more powerful swing for your serve and we know a more powerful swing increases your chances to score points and aces for your team.
Everything, period!
You know what they say, "Your serve is only as strong as you are".
Strength-training and bodyweight training exercises, especially for the core and lower body, can boost your overall serve power.
Developing a strong mindset for yourself is a game-changer. mentally and emotionally strong players can beat out physically strong players in many circumstances.
Volleyball Serving Drills
My 10 "Coach April Overhand Serve Volleyball Tips
Take a minute before each serve to visualize doing it properly.
You got this!
The coach often plays a role in setting serving strategies by telling server's where to serve based on their understanding of the opposing team's weaknesses.
But if the coach doesnt "call the serve", its up to the individual player to identify weak targets.
Coach April Chapple's Volleyball Passing Tips For Youth Volleyball Players
Here are some reminders to tell yourself before serving in volleyball.
"I want a specific passer to mess up or shank the ball or if I can't force them to do that then at the very least I want my serve to force the opposing team to give our team an easy ball that we can defend or pass and run an attack against them.”
"I want to serve a ball that puts them in a difficult situation where I force one of the passers to have to move out of their comfortable passing position to pass my tough or well-placed serve."
”I don’t want to serve the opposing team a ball that’s easy for them to receive and run an attack off of."
”I don’t want to serve the opposing team a ball that’s easy for them to receive and run an attack off of."
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.
Your three options are:
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-Coach April
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