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How To Serve In Volleyball Two Tips On How To Develop A Tough Serve

Learn how to serve in volleyball with step-by-step instructions. Could adding 3 aces per game make you a starter? My complete guide is for all skill levels

Learn how to serve in volleyball with step-by-step instructions. Could adding 3 aces per game make you a starter? My complete guide is for all skill levels

So just imagine you were competing in an important conference game.

It's match point and you're walking back to serve.

Your teammates are counting on you.

The opposing team is watching you nervously trying to figure out where, how and to who you're about to serve to.

In this moment, you hold complete control over what happens next.

No blockers, no setters needed - just you and your serve.

Here's what most players don't realize: serving is the ONLY skill in volleyball where you have 100% control from start to finish.

How about THAT for power?

Here's what most players don't realize: serving is the ONLY skill in volleyball where you have 100% control from start to finish. How about THAT for power? Watch as I coach my Vegas Volley Girls 18s team how to serve in volleyball in a synchronized rhythm with two players serving together.

Studies show that well over 50% of high school and club volleyball players never develop a consistent, aggressive serve.

They treat serving like its just a way to get the rally started, like a formality, instead of the point-scoring offensive weapon it really can be.

If you could add just 2-3 service aces per game to your stats, wouldn't that dramatically increase your value to any team?

I specialize in teaching my 18s girls club teams and 18s guys club teams and all my private clients how to serve in volleyball with strong, flat 'hard to pass' dangerous types of serves.

That's exactly what you'll learn in my "How To Serve In Volleyball" guide - how to transform your serve from a simple 'let me just get the ball-over-the-net' motion into a strong, reliable, consistent strategic weapon that wins games.

In order to learn how to serve for points, you need to develop two things

• tough serving skills 
• an aggressive mindset 

Why do you want to develop a tough serve?

Once you've learned the basics on serving then you want to take advantage of your serving opportunity because its the one skill in volleyball that you do alone - which you and only you... control...

This means

• you can make it easy 
• you can make it difficult

for the opposing squad to easily run a play and score points against your team

Think about who is the best server on your team.

Don't they always seem to know exactly where they're serving before they even get the ball?

That's not coincidence - it's strategy.

For Beginners A Step-By-Step Guide
How To Serve In Volleyball

How To Serve In Volleyball: As the ball begins to descend from the toss, step into the serve with your hips open to the net. Swing your striking hand forward in a quick, snapping motion hitting the middle of the ball. Always follow through with your swing.

Now that I've explained to you about the mindset needed to consistently serve aggressively, let's break down the act of serving into step-by-step instructions for our beginner friends:

1. Positioning

Start by standing behind the service line, the court boundary line located 30 feet from the net on each side of the court.

Make sure you are

• standing in a balanced position 
• with one foot in front of the other 
• in the shape of the letter "L" with 
• feet positioned just outside your shoulders
• with the weight on your back foot and 
• your front foot pointed in the direction of where you plan to serve. 

Right-handed players usually put their left foot slightly ahead (and vice versa for left-handed players).

2. Ball Grip

Hold the volleyball in your non-dominant hand.

The other hand/arm (the dominant or serving hand), is extended above your head with palm of hand kept flat and facing the opposite wall, ready to strike.

Hold the volleyball in your non-dominant hand. The other hand/arm (the dominant or serving hand), is extended above your head with palm of hand kept flat and facing the opposite wall, ready to strike.

Hold the volleyball in your non-dominant hand.

The other hand/arm (the dominant or serving hand), is extended above your head with palm of hand kept flat and facing the opposite wall, ready to strike.

3. Focus and Decide

Decide where you intend to serve.

Think about aiming at a specific player or a specific place, zone or position on the court.

4. Your Toss 

Extend your non-dominant arm and toss the ball upwards.

The height of the toss can vary, but it's crucial to toss the ball consistently to the same height every time.

I usually advise to toss two feet up in the air and one foot in front of your front foot.

5. Ball Contact

As the ball begins to descend from the toss, step into the serve with your hips open to the net.

Rotate your hip, followed by your shoulder which will anchor  and create the momentum to bring your serving hand forward keeping your elbow high just like you do when you're "high fiving" your friend in a smooth fluid, quarter turn motion using the middle of your hand to contact the middle of the ball.

Always follow through with your swing.

6. Evaluation

After every serve, assess your performance. How close was the serve to your target?

Did it have the desired trajectory and power?

This self-evaluation is crucial to improving your serving skills over time.

Remember, these steps serve as a basic guide.

Consistency comes with practice, and with time, you'll be able to add more power and accuracy to your serve.

Once you've mastered the basics, isn't it time to expand your serving arsenal?

The best servers have multiple weapons - here's how to build yours.

CROSSNET Four Square Volleyball Net & Game Set - Volleyball Set for Backyards - Yard Games for Kids and Adults Game Four Square Volleyball - Includes Poles, Carrying Backpack

CROSSNET Four Square Volleyball Net & Game Set - Volleyball Set for Backyards - Yard Games for Kids and Adults Game Four Square Volleyball - Includes Poles, Carrying Backpack

You should make up your mind that you are going to go back and serve an aggressive ball to a certain spot or to a certain player on the court. (Shots by Shanty)

A step up from the underhand serve, the overhand serve involves tossing the ball up and striking it with a lot of force. This serve style can send the ball to the opponent's court much faster and is a commonly used serve in competitive volleyball.

Now that we've broken down the basic steps to serve a volleyball, let's explore some different types of serves.

Knowing these serves can help you diversify your skill set and become a more complete volleyball player.

1. The Underhand Serve:

This is the most basic type of serve, often taught to beginners.

You'll hold the ball in your non-dominant hand, swing your dominant arm like a pendulum under the ball, and strike it gently.

The serve follows a low trajectory and is slower, making it easier for opponents to return.

The underhand volleyball serve follows a low trajectory and is slower, making it easier for opponents to return. (photo Craig Fildes)

2. The Overhand Serve:

A step up from the underhand serve, the overhand serve involves tossing the ball up and striking it with a lot of force.

This serve style can send the ball to the opponent's court much faster and is a commonly used serve in competitive high school, club, college and professional volleyball.

3. The Jump Serve:

This is an advanced type of serve where players use a spike-like action to serve the ball, adding an even more powerful and unpredictable element to the game.

The server tosses the ball high, takes a run-up, and jumps to strike the ball at its highest point.

This overhand jump serve style can send the ball to the opponent's court much faster and is a commonly used serve in competitive high school, club, college and professional volleyball.

This overhand jump serve style can send the ball to the opponent's court much faster and is a commonly used serve in competitive high school, club, college and professional volleyball.

4. The Float Serve:

As the name suggests, this serve creates a floating effect. By hitting the ball in the middle with a firm wrist, servers can make the ball move unpredictably in the air, making it difficult for opponents to return.

Float Serve: As the name suggests, this serve creates a floating effect. By hitting the ball in the middle with a firm wrist, servers can make the ball move unpredictably in the air, making it difficult for opponents to return.

5. The Topspin Serve

This is another advanced serve.

The server tosses the ball high, steps forward, and hits the ball in such a way that it spins forward rapidly.

This type of serve requires a lot of practice but can be very effective due to its speed and downward trajectory.

Despite one's best efforts, errors can creep into serving techniques. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to rectify them:

1. Inconsistent Toss:

The ball toss for the serve is crucial as it sets up the rest of the action.

If your toss is inconsistent, it significantly reduces your chance of a good serve.

Focus on tossing the ball the same height and in the same location each time, ideally just a little higher than you can reach with your striking hand.

2. Faulty Contact:

Incorrect contact with the ball during the serve can lead to undesirable results.

The ball should be struck in the middle to maintain control over direction and power.

Practicing your striking technique can significantly improve your contact with the ball.

3. Lack of Target:

Serving without a strategy or specific target can result in lost opportunities to put the opponent under pressure.

Always have a serving plan, targeting either weak receivers or challenging zones on the court.

4. Overpowering the Serve:

While power is useful, an excessive focus on it could compromise accuracy, leading to missed serves.

Serving out all the time is something that can easily be fixed. 

Trying to find a balance between power and precision should be the goal for every server.

5. Stiff Wrist:

A stiff wrist during serving can result in the ball going in various undesired directions.

When serving, your wrist should be firm but flexible to allow for the whip-like motion needed for a precise, powerful serve.

Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and even the most experienced players are constantly refining their skills.

Be patient with your progress, and with regular practice, you'll see improvements in your serving game.

Every ace you'll ever serve starts with improving these fundamentals.

Whether you're working on your first overhand serve or perfecting your jump float, remember this: serving is the one moment in volleyball where you're completely in control.

The players who embrace this responsibility - who walk back to serve with purpose and strategy - are the ones who become game-changers.

They're the servers opponents whisper about during timeouts.

They're the ones coaches trust in crucial moments.

Tomorrow at practice, implement just ONE concept from this guide.

Maybe it's deciding your target before you serve.

Maybe it's focusing on a consistent toss.

Whatever you choose, commit to it for an entire practice.

Because here's the truth: In 30 days, you'll either have a serve that changes games, or you'll still be hoping someone else scores the points.

Which player will you choose to be?"

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. 

Your three options are: 

1. You can learn more about Serving by visiting the related links below.                            
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 
4. Before leaving this page Say "Hi" to Miss Tattoo the Tiger wearing the #9 jersey below.  Miss Tattoo is the starting defensive and serving specialist for the All Beast VolleyBragSwag All Star team

Say "Hi" to Miss Tattoo the Tiger wearing the #9 jersey below. Miss Tattoo is the starting defensive and serving specialist for the All Beast VolleyBragSwag All Star team.

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From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

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TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

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Making A-1 Vegas Volleyball history as the very first TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In the In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament, A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division

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More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.

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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As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.

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