I reveal some of the secrets to perfecting your overhand volleyball serve, from proper form and serving rituals to various serve types and practice methods.

A tough overhand volleyball serve helps you control the game. Here are 4 ways, Face your target, Visualize yourself serving, Toss the same way every time, Serve like you spike (Richard Yuan)

If you're looking to take your volleyball game to the next level, learning to consistently perform a tough potentially ace-scoring overhand volleyball serve is essential to you getting playing time and staying on the court to play in the backrow. 

In this article, I'll cover what you need to know about the overhand volleyball serve, from proper technique and serving routines to different types of serves and practice drills.

In this article, I'll cover what you need to know about the overhand volleyball serve, from proper technique and serving routines to different types of serves and practice drills. (Matt Duboff photo)

By the end of this article, you'll have the knowledge and tools to develop a powerful and consistent overhand serve that will help you score two or three points each time you step on the court to serve.

To create a tough overhand serve that's hard for the opposing team's passers to control and pass, you have to have

• a steady toss at a consistent height
• a smooth arm swing
• a consistent flat-hand "no bent wrist" contact on the middle panels of the ball
• hips facing your target once you've contacted the ball strong follow-through. 

Producing a consistently tough serve is all about having the right form and correct technique.

2017 Canada Summer Games, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Make sure you're stable and balanced in a staggered stance with left foot pointed towards where you want the ball to go and the back foot pointed slightly to the wall on your right and the weight of your body starting on your back leg.

After the toss, drive your hip followed by shoulder forward towards the ball with high elbow which helps you to create some power and momentum using your midsection and core of your body to hit the ball at the right height and in the right spot.

The toss is like the secret ingredient to a great overhand serve.

If you can consistently toss the ball to the same spot every time, you're halfway there!

Tossing the ball high enough so you have time to get under it, but not so high that you lose control.

Aim for a toss that's just above your hitting shoulder. Once you've got that down, you can start working on adding some power and spin to your serve.

Your arm swing is what gives your overhand serve its oomph.

To get the most power, you want to start with your hitting arm back and your elbow bent.

As you swing forward, really use your shoulder and snap your wrist to whip that ball over the net.

Remember to keep your arm straight and follow through towards your target. With a little practice, you'll be serving up some serious heat in no time!

Where you contact the ball can make a big difference in how your overhand serve turns out.

Too low, and the ball might not clear the net. Too high, and you'll lose some power and control and possibly hit the ball out.

The sweet spot is usually just above your forehead, slightly in front of your hitting shoulder.

Focus on making contact with the ball at the same point every time, and you'll start to see more consistency in your serves.

Having a serving routine can really help you stay consistent and focused when you're doing your overhand serve.

It could be something like

• bouncing the ball a certain number of times,
• creating a bounce and catch pattern while standing in a specific way
• breathing in a particular pattern
• lining up with your back to the court and heels on the service line and walking back to where you'll start your serve while counting your three-step or four-step serve approach steps

When you have a routine, it helps you stay calm, confident and gives you a minute for some positive self talk.

Plus, it gets you into a rhythm, so your serves are more accurate and effective.

When you have a solid serving routine, it can really boost your confidence on the court.

By doing the same thing every time you serve, you're giving yourself an opportunity to for self talk like "I've got this!" It's like a mental trick that helps you feel more in control, less nervous and to regain your focus on the ball.

And when you're feeling confident, you're more likely to serve the ball well and score some points for your team.

Having a consistent serving routine is key to nailing your overhand serves every time.

Start by finding a routine that works for you, whether it's bouncing the ball a certain number of times, taking a deep breath, or visualizing your serve.

Then, practice that routine over and over until it becomes second nature. The more consistent your routine is, the more consistent your serves will be. 

It's important to stay focused on the ball because its easy to get distracted during a volleyball game, especially when you're up to serve.

There's a lot of noise, people cheering for you and against you, in addition to dealing with the pressure to perform and the pressure to win.

That's where your serving routine comes into play.

By focusing on each step of your serving ritual and routine, you can block out all those distractions and stay zeroed in on what you need to do to make a strategically tough serve.

Whether it's taking a deep breath, bouncing the ball a certain way, or visualizing your serve while counting your steps needed for your serve approach, your routine helps you maintain that laser-like focus you need to nail your overhand serve.

Mastering the overhand volleyball serve takes time, practice, and dedication, but it's a skill that can really take your game to the next level.

By focusing on proper technique, developing a consistent serving routine, and practicing different types of serves under pressure, you'll be well on your way to becoming a serving powerhouse on the court.

Remember, a tough serve can be a game-changer, so keep working at it and don't get discouraged.

With the tips and techniques covered in this article, you've got everything you need to start serving up aces and dominating the competition.

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. 

Where do you need to go now? Here are two options: 

1. Learn more about the Overhand Volleyball Serve by exploring the Related Links below. 
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page  Learning How To Play (Sitemap)

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