An overhand float serve in volleyball is a serving technique where the player contacts the ball with an open hand using a flat palm and firmly held non bending wrist.
The lack of spin on the ball results in it "floating" or moving erratically, making it challenging for the receiving team to anticipate and accurately pass.
By imptoving this technique, players can effectively disrupt the opposing team's reception and gain an advantage in the game.
Addi working on her standing floater in volleyball serve down the line.
Focusing on starting with hips open to the wall to her right, a consistent toss and a smooth arm swing when contacting the ball with the middle of her hand to the middle of the ball.
1. Ball Holding Hand Position:
Begin by positioning your non-dominant tossing hand with palm up and open to the ceiling balancing the ball in the middle of the palm below the ball to stabilize it.
Keep your fingers spread naturally to cover the most ball space and for better control.
Non ball holding dominant serving arm should extend above your head with palm facing outward.
I tell my clients that both arms are held so they look like they're forming the shape of the letter "L".
To be clear the left arm and hand is extended straight out in front of you with palm up holding the ball and right arm and hand is extended above your head with elbow held close to your ear and palm facing outward.
Check out how Addi does it in the video below.
Focusing on starting with hips open to the wall to her right, a consistent toss and a smooth arm swing when contacting the ball with the middle of her hand to the middle of the ball.
Feet and Footwork For Serve Approach:
Feet are also in the shape of the letter L with your body weight on your right foot and left foot pointed towards where you want the ball to go across the net.
You would follow this rhythm of footwork combined with your ball toss as you approach the service line
Three step serve approach for right hander:
1. Step on left foot
2. Toss the ball 2-3 feet in the air in the path in front of your serving arm
3. Step close ...so step with your right foot and then your left foot ...then launch yourself in the air while staying behind the service line
Four step serve approach for right handed server:
1. Step on right foot, then left foot
2. Toss the ball 2-3 feet in the air in the path in front of your serving arm
3. Step with your right foot and then your left foot (also known as the step-close)...then launch yourself in the air while staying behind the service line
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.
2. Contact Point:
As you initiate the serve, bring your dominant hand forward and swing it towards the ball aiming to make contact with the middle panels of the ball using the top meaty part of your palm to create a firm and flat hand surface.
3. Wrist Position:
Maintain a firm wrist throughout the arm swing serve motion. Avoid excessive wrist snap or spin to achieve the desired lack of rotation on the ball.
4. Ball Toss:
Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand at waist level. Execute a controlled upward toss with a consistent trajectory, pace and height when it leaves your hand.
Aim for a toss that allows you to contact the ball at the highest point of your jump.
5. Weight Transfer and Body Rotation:
As you initiate the serve, transfer your weight from back foot to your front foot by stepping forward with your leading foot.
After you finish your last two steps that launch you in the air, rotate your hips and shoulders at the height of your jump while you're swinging your arm towards the ball, to generate power for your serve.
6. Follow-through:
After contacting the ball, extend your arm fully freezing your shoulder in the air for a millisecond to allow for a complete follow-through.
Keep your hand and hips pointing towards the target to insure better accuracy on getting the ball to the intended target.
Consistency and Repetition:
Practice regularly to develop a consistent and accurate overhand float serve. Focus on repetition to refine your technique, timing, and ball control.
Volleyball Serving Drills: Addi, Piper and Hadley Working on their Jump Float Serve To Chairs for Accuracy and Points during semiprivate training with me.
Visualization and Mental Preparation:
Mental preparation is vital for a successful serve.
Remember, mastering the overhand float serve requires patience, practice, and attention to detail.
By focusing on hand position, contact point, body rotation, and developing a reliable toss, you can achieve greater control and effectiveness in executing the overhand float serve.
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 options are:
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