Use A Jump Float Serve  To Generate Power For An Ace Or To Start A Rally

Use the overhand jump float serve to generate a powerful serve that starts a rally after the ref blows the whistle for the player behind the service line.

Use the overhand jump float serve to generate a powerful serve that starts a rally after the ref blows the whistle for the player behind the service line.

Ryanwils, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The jump float is a dynamic and powerful serving technique that can give you a strategic advantage on the court.

This serve involves a three or four step approach and a jump to launch the server in the air to generate extra power and velocity behind the ball.

To execute a jump float serve effectively, start by standing behind the service line and take a few steps back for your approach.

As you reach the peak of your approach, jump off both feet, extending your hitting arm back and swinging it forward forcefully.

Make contact with the ball at the highest point of your jump, ideally with a firm hand and a snapping motion of the wrist.

Zorro2212, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The primary advantage of the jump float serve is the added power and velocity it can generate so once the ball passes over the net it spins to the ground quickly. 

With a well-executed jump float serve, you can put significant pressure on the opposing team's serve reception, making it difficult for them to control the ball and initiate a strong offensive play.

Focus on timing your approach jump to ensure you contact the ball at the highest point of your jump.

Practice the timing and coordination of your steps, arm swing, and jump reach to achieve a seamless motion with no pauses or hesitations in your approach to the ball.

You want to have completed your contact with the ball so your arm swing and ball contact are done before you start landing to the floor from your jump. 

Practice the timing and coordination of your steps, arm swing, and jump reach to achieve a seamless motion with no pauses or hesitations in your approach to the ball before your jump float serve. 

Zorro2212, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Work on developing explosive leg power to achieve the maximum height in your jump.

I like to tell my clients to attack the floor with the last two steps of your approach in order to launch yourself higher in the air using your leg muscles to drive upward forcefully to gain additional height during the serve.

In my semi-private and private training sessions I have my clients treat the floor like a mini trampoline when they take their last two steps that launch them in the air. 

To generate velocity, focus on a strong back swing with both arms and quickly and aggressively swing both arms forward before pulling the elbow of the serving arm back keeping the elbow close to your ear and turning the palm of the hand towards the ball before you make contact with the ball.

Use the full range of motion in your hitting shoulder while reaching high and keeping your elbow above the level of your ear and keeping a rigid wrist as the middle of your hand makes quick contact with the ball.

FIVB World Championship European Qualification Women Łódź January 2014. Katarzyna Skowrońska-Dolata - volleyball player from Poland

Zorro2212, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Like any skill, the jump float serve requires practice and consistency to refine your technique and develop accuracy and control.

Set aside practice sessions to work on your jump serve and strive for repetition and refining your technique.

By mastering the mechanics of the jump float serve and incorporating it into your game strategy, you can become a formidable server and disrupt the opposing team's serve reception, giving your team a significant advantage.

Mastering the proper technique is essential for a consistent and accurate serve.

Regardless of the type of serve you choose, the following elements are crucial.

Volleyball Serve Questions Answered: Which team can serve the ball first? The team that wins the coin toss at the beginning of a match is the team that can serve first. (Richard Yuan)

With the jump serve, a flat hand open palm grip is recommended to generate consistency and control during your volleyball toss.

Hold the ball firmly in the palm of your hand and use your widely spaced  fingers to secure it in place as you do your sere approach steps.

Maintaining a steady grip on the ball throughout your serve step approach ensures that the ball doesn't slip from your hand before your toss.

This grip helps maximize your ability to toss the ball consistently at the same height and the same pace before each serve.

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!

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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.

Meet Tatoo the Tiger, Serving Specialist on VolleyBragSwag's All Beast Team

Use the overhand jump float serve to generate a powerful serve that starts a rally after the ref blows the whistle for the player behind the service line.

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