Dear Volleyball Mom, Do You Know What Sets My Private Volleyball Training Apart From Anyone In Vegas? I invite You to read what my private volleyball training mission says before considering hiring me as a private volleyball coach because I'm not available for everyone.

Is consistency the key to earning more playing time? Master the standing floater volleyball serve with step-by-step techniques that builds your consistency.

The Floater Volleyball Serve: Watch Julie's perfect form for the standing float serve as she has worked really hard on controlling her body parts during every movement while serving so that she can control the ball so it goes where she wants it to go and she can control the speed and location destination once it lands in the opposing court.

Have you ever noticed that the most consistent servers on any volleyball team rarely sit on the bench?

I believe there's a reason for that.

Even though videos of the more flashy jump serves done by players gets the attention, the standing float serve remains the most reliable weapon in volleyball - and it's the one skill that can immediately earn you more playing time.

Think about it:

If you could serve 10 balls in a row exactly where you want them, with movement that makes them difficult to pass, wouldn't your coach notice?

That's the power of becoming really good at delivering a powerfully strategic standing float serve.

It's the foundation of your serving skills that every elite server builds upon, yet a lot of players (especially the guys) rush past it trying to learn more advanced techniques.

In volleyball, your serve is the only skill where you have complete control from start to finish - no teammates to rely on, no opposing blockers to worry about.

That's why mastering different serve types isn't just helpful; it's essential for any player who wants to make a real impact on their team.

In my 15+ years of coaching volleyball in Las Vegas, I've helped/coached/trained/instructed players on how to transform their serving game by perfecting this one fundamental serve.

The standing floater volleyball serve might seem basic, but when executed correctly, it's deceptively effective.

Professional players still use it when the game is on the line because consistency wins matches.

The Floater Volleyball Serve: While it may seem basic compared to jump serves, don't underestimate its effectiveness. When executed properly, this serve can be just as deadly as any power serve, and it's the one you'll rely on when consistency matters most.

I want to start with the foundation of all great serving - the floater volleyball serve.

While it may seem basic compared to jump serves, don't underestimate its effectiveness.

When executed properly, this serve can be just as deadly as any power serve, and it's the one you'll rely on when consistency matters most.

Let me show you exactly how to develop a standing float serve that

• moves unpredictably, 
• lands precisely where you aim, and 
• gives you the confidence to step up to the service line in crucial moments.

Dear Volleyball Mom, Did you know your player can Upgrade their volleyball skills with an expert college volleyball prep coach Las Vegas based April Chapple (that's me!) creator of the Breakfast Club for College Players.

Every coach knows that a player with only one predictable serve becomes easy to defend against.

But when you can switch between a standing float serve, a topspin serve, and a jump float serve, you force opponents to constantly adjust their passing formation and strategy.

• Isn't it true that the most valuable players on any team are those who can score points without needing a perfect set or an open hitting lane?

That's exactly what these three serve types allow you to do.

In my 15+ years of coaching volleyball in Las Vegas, I've seen countless players transform from bench warmers to starters simply by developing a reliable serving arsenal. 

The difference between watching from the sidelines and being on the court often comes down to this: can you consistently put pressure on the opposing team with your serve?

Let me show you exactly how to master these three game-changing serves that my players use to dominate matches.

For certain volleyball serve types I tell my clients to position their arms in the same way, in the shape of an "L" by holding the ball lightly in your tossing hand with arm extended in the direction of where you plan to serve the ball and -your serving arm extended above your head with the palm of your hand facing the wall on the right side of your body

• Stand behind the service line with...

• Feet shoulder-width apart in the shape of the letter 'L" with your front foot pointed where you plan to serve and your back foot perpendicular to the front foot. 

• I tell my clients to position their arms in the same way, in the shape of an "L" by holding the ball lightly in your tossing hand with arm extended in the direction of where you plan to serve the ball and 

• your serving arm extended above your head with the palm of your hand facing the wall on the right side of your body

As a right handed server,

• line your body up to face your serving target

Your body will be parallel to the service line.

Whether you're serving to a court zone or directly to an opposing player...face your target.

Let the player know...you're coming right at them with your serve.

An important key for a server to remember is to make a decision early and decide where you are going to serve before you serve, then turn and point your toe and your tossing arm, straight at your serving target. 

Sometimes your coach will make the decision for you and tell you where to serve by "calling the serve" with their finger by holding up a number that represents a zone on the opposing team's court to serve to. 

If they don't "call the serve" then you need to formulate a plan in your head based on either

 -where to serve to on the court or                           -who to serve to

so that you raise the possibility of scoring an ace which is a direct point by yourself for your team. 

How do you do this? Look for

• who just made the last error on the court
• which passer looks nervous or looks angry or insecure
• which player in serve receive is not talking to other passers 
• look for large seams or empty areas on the court

Strategic serving also can mean for you to look to see

• if the opposing team is made up of short players consider serving a deep serve in their court to force them to move backwards and to stay deeper in the court

• if the opposing team is made up of taller players (who usually) move slower than shorter players consider serving a short serve that forces tall passers to have to move forward to pass...which means their spike approach runway is made shorter so they don't have as much time to back up, shuffle outside and take their usual 3 or 4 step spike approach

• Raise your serving arm so its in a 90 degree angle with a bent elbow and open palmed hand, above the level of your right ear. 

Keep your elbow high, above the level of your ear, throughout the entire movement of bringing your arm forward to the ball. Many servers have problems serving over the net because they drop their elbow during their serving swing in an attempt to shot put the ball over the net

Keep your elbow high, above the level of your ear, throughout the entire movement of bringing your arm forward to the ball.

Many servers have problems serving over the net because they drop their elbow during their serving swing in an attempt to shot put the ball over the net 

Keep your elbow above the level of your ear!

How To Serve a Floater: The Palm of Your Serving Arm Should Face The Opposite Wall. The palm of your serving hand should be facing the opposite wall, not turned up at the ceiling. Keep a flat palm with fingers spread wide, as if you are about to give a teammate a high five. (photo Tom Fisk)

• The palm of your serving hand should be facing the opposite wall, not turned up at the ceiling. 

• Keep a flat palm with fingers spread wide, as if you are about to give a teammate a high five

• Your flat hand should be as flat as a ping pong paddle.  

Now that you've mastered the fundamentals of the standing float serve, let me ask you this:

What if you could add even more power and deception to your serving game? That's exactly what the topspin serve delivers.

Now that you understand the importance of varied serving, let's talk about  the topspin serve - a weapon that can transform your scoring ability.

1. "Dropping the elbow (reduces power and accuracy)"
2. "Inconsistent toss (leads to erratic serves)"
3. "Not watching your hand when you contact the ball (limits your ball control)"

Here's a question every serious player needs to answer:

Are you willing to put in the practice time to master the floater volleyball serve, knowing it could be the difference between starting and sitting on the bench?

Here's where the rubber meets the road.

It's not just about knowing about these volleyball serve types players use in a match but actually getting good at performing them so they feel like second nature out on the court.

• Dedicate time every practice to each serve type. Start with 20 reps of each then gradually increase.
• Focus on one technical aspect of the floater serving skill per session to really internalize the method.

While practice is essential, don't get too caught up in perfection. Allow yourself to make mistakes – they’re just lessons that help you get better.

Use practice to mirror game conditions: crowds, pressure, everything.

This’ll boost your confidence when it's time to serve for real points.

Remember, even the pros miss serves sometimes. It's all part of the game.

Keep a positive mindset and always aim to improve your skills.

Every game you don't make your mark is a missed opportunity. Let's make sure that next game counts more than any before.

Your volleyball serve is more than just a way to start the rally; you should consider it as a point scoring strategic weapon that you are 100% in control of from start to finish.

Consider this...

In a 25-point game, if you serve 8 times and score just 3 aces, you've contributed 12% of your team's points single-handedly.

Isn't that worth investing your time in improving?

Your volleyball serve is more than just a way to start the rally; you should consider it as a point scoring strategic weapon that you are 100% in control of from start to finish.

By refining your floater volleyball serve that varsity players often rely on, you can directly score points and reduce the chance of opposing teams responding with powerful offensive plays and attacks.

Practicing the art of these serves (for me serving is so important that I like to call it an 'art') builds your confidence.

It’s the individuality of this skill that empowers you and can set you apart, especially if you've practiced how to make different types of serving in volleyball.

How many more matches will you watch from the sidelines, knowing that better serving skills could have earned you that starting position?

If personalized coaching could change that in just 5 sessions, wouldn't it be worth exploring?

Remember, every great volleyball player was once where you are – honing technique, refining skills, and aiming for consistency.

With dedication and the right mindset, you'll reach your serving goals.

Thank you for sticking with me through this guide. I believe in your potential and can't wait to see what you achieve next. If you have any questions or need further advice, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We're all in this game together!

Dear Volleyball Mom Do You Know What Sets My Private Volleyball Training Apart From Anyone In Vegas? You should learn what my private volleyball training mission says before considering hiring me as a private volleyball coach because I'm not available for everyone.

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With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.

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3. Master the Standing Floater Volleyball Serve: Your Key To Consistency

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