Discover the tactics for volleyball serving that coaches don't teach. If smart serving could earn you more playing time, wouldn't you master these 6 strategies?

Here's a shocking stat....teams that score just two (2) more aces per set win over 75% of their matches.

Despite this many players treat serving like its just a formality - with the goal of just getting the ball over the net and let the rally begin.

What if I told you that this mindset is exactly what's keeping you on the bench?

Think about who is the best server on your team. Don't they always seem to know exactly where to place their serve?

They're not just swinging at the ball harder - they're thinking smarter about what they're doing before contacting the ball.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

While everyone else is just randomly serving the ball without any real purpose, they're executing specific tactics for volleyball serving that turn their serve into a point-scoring weapon.

The difference between going from the JV team and making the varsity team isn't always about skill level. Many times, it's about tactical awareness and knowledge about the best strategy to use in certain circumstances. 

When you understand these 6 serving tactics, you transform from a player who just puts the ball in play to one who controls the game from the service line.

Ready to think like a varsity player?

Remember, exploiting the weaknesses of the opposing team, whether it comes down to identifying their weak passers or finding their vulnerable places on the court, increases your chances of scoring aces.

And you know what else that means?

More playing time!! Woohoo!

Let me explain various ways on

• how you can be vigilant on the court,
• how to decide early your course of action and 
• how to maintain an aggressive stance from behind the service line

Here's a question for you....would you hand your opponent a loaded weapon which eventually they could use to do you (or your team any harm? 

That's exactly what you're doing with an easy lob serve.

(In this case what I mean by 'harm' is the possibility of the opposing team scoring an easy point against yours.) 

1. Avoid serving an easy lob serve over the net, especially if you have hopes of making your varsity team because handing the opposing team an easy-to-receive ball is just asking them to run a fast attack and to score a point against your team.

Riddle me this: Which is harder to defend against - a predictable serve or one that disrupts the entire offense?

2. Your job is to serve a ball that puts the receiving team in a difficult situation.

Your serve should force the opposing passers out of their comfort zone and make it difficult for their setter to run a play.

If you could choose between serving to the opposing team's best passer or go after their worst passer, which would give you better odds of scoring an ace or putting the team in difficulty?

3. Your responsibility is to identify a specific passer and go after them aggressively so that they cannot handle your serve. Period!

If you can't score a direct point against them, then make sure your float serve forces the opposing team to give you an easy or "free" ball which is an easy pass (instead of a hard hit attack ball) that your team can easily defend or pick up and run an offensive play against them.

Here's what I truly believe is what separates varsity servers from JV servers:

Varsity players have already chosen (or choose early) who, what or where their target is before they get the ball.

Isn't having a plan in your head before you serve always better than hoping for the best?

4. Decide Early To Attack With Your Serve

Varsity servers are much much different than JV or beginner servers because they go after their serve with the specific intent of scoring a point.

Beginner and JV servers just want to get the ball over the net so they play it safe.

In order to make varsity or to get more playing time on your college team you'll need to adopt a more strategic and aggressive approach to scoring aces from the service line.

Did you know that elite athletes in every sport uses visualization exercises as a part of their mental strategy before executing their particular skill?

Why should volleyball be different?

5. Remind yourself of these tactics for volleyball serving while you're in practice or training with me during private training so you establish "next level" routines which will result in scoring more aces.

As an 18s guys and girls club coach (three (3) years with Tstreet Vegas, one (1) year with Vegas Volley and about to start a three year journey with Squad VBC....I focus a lot on serving and passing with my players but if I have pick one of the two ..serving is my priority before passing. 

All my teams and private training clients work on developing tough or tactical standing float serves and jump float serves because I truly believe that scoring a point from the service line gives you an advantage ...of being able to score a point by yourself without the help of anyone else.

So why not take advantage of that opportunity? 

6. Remember to lay the mental groundwork for yourself as you walk back to the service line to serve.

Start practicing and doing your jump serve or float serve reps with these "next level" tactics for volleyball serving...

• adopt a more aggressive attitude behind the service line
• attack the ball with your serve
• decide early who and where the weak passer is
• decide early where the vulnerable spot is on the opposing team's court that their passers find hard to make a perfect pass from

When going from JV to varsity volleyball or moving from varsity to college level volleyball you'll soon find that there's far more to serving in volleyball than just getting the ball over the net, and learning how to float serve with these strategies will help you to reach your goals and excel in the game.

Here's something to think about...If my simple mental reminders that I've listed below could add 2-3 aces to your game, wouldn't they be worth memorizing?

• "I want a specific passer to mess up or shank the ball or if I can't force them to do that then at the very least I want my serve to force the opposing team to give our team an easy ball that we can defend or pass and run an attack against them.”

• "I want to serve a ball that puts them in a difficult situation where I force one of the passers to have to move out of their comfortable passing position to pass my tough or well-placed serve."

• ”I don’t want to serve the opposing team a ball that’s easy for them to receive and run an attack off of."

• ”I don’t want to serve the opposing team a ball that’s easy for them to receive and run an attack off of."

What happens when your initial serving tactics aren't working? Smart players adjust.

Here's how:

• If they're passing your deep serves well,  switch to short

• If your first targeted 'weak' player gets into a passing rhythm and is passing dimes, then find another weak passer that's inconsistent and not passing well

• If your float serve isn't tough enough, then add more pace to your served ball

• If you've missed 2 serves in a row, target the middle of the court or step further back from the end line with a tough serve for safety

Isn't the ability to adjust your serving tactics what separates good players from great ones?

Let me answer that one. The answer is 'yes'.

When should you risk an aggressive serve vs. play it safe? The score tells you:

• When you're up by 4 points: Attack the serve aggressively
• When you're tied 20-20+: Target their weakest passer
• When you're down by 2 points: Consistent serves to stay in the game
• After an opponent calls a timeout: Aggressive to maintain momentum

Don't you think knowing WHEN to use each tactic is just as important as knowing HOW?

This is one of the most asked questions on Reddit r/volleyball. Here's what 15+ years of coaching has taught me:

Serve aggressively when:

• You're ahead by 3+ points (cushion for errors)
• After a timeout (momentum disruptor)
• When you identify a weak passer
• Score is 20-20 or higher (pressure situations favor aggressive serves)

Serve safer when:

• You've missed your last serve
• Your team needs a sideout desperately
• The score is tight and you're behind

Think about it: Isn't it better to have a clear tactical plan than to guess in the moment?*

Here's another frequently asked Reddit question that I think deserves a professional answer:

During warm-ups, watch for:

• Players who pass with straight legs (poor technique)
• Those who avoid taking balls during pepper
• Players who consistently pass off the net
• Anyone who looks uncomfortable moving backward

During the match:

• Track who made the last passing error
• Notice who other servers are targeting in your game 
• Take note of who other teams are serving in a tournament situation
• Watch for non-verbal frustration and negative body language after passes

If you could identify the weak link in 30 seconds, wouldn't that change your serving success rate?

This Reddit question comes up constantly.

Here's the truth:

Start by proving you can serve consistently (80%+ in practice) to a certain position or zone on the court, then gradually start serving more aggressively.

Show your coach data: "Coach, when I serve aggressively to Zone 1, we score 40% more points.

Numbers don't lie, and many coaches who truly understand the game love players who think strategically.

**Quick Defensive Tactics:**
- Position yourself based on the hitter's shoulder angle
- Communicate early and loud
- Always assume the ball is coming to you

**Offensive Tactics:**
- Run plays away from their best blocker
- Use the middle more when ahead
- Quick sets when their blockers are tired

**Timeout Tactics:**
- First person back to bench sets the energy
- Focus on one specific adjustment, not five
- Use timeouts to disrupt opponent momentum

Understanding these 6 tactics is your foundation, but imagine having a coach analyze your specific serving technique and create personalized tactics based on YOUR strengths.

That's where individual coaching or private training can accelerate your tactical development.

If you're serious about becoming the strategic server every coach wants on their team, [explore how training with Coach April can sharpen both your technical skills and tactical thinking].

Because sometimes the difference between good and great is having someone show you opportunities you didn't even know existed.

You now possess tactical knowledge that most players never develop. These aren't just serving tips - they're the strategic thinking patterns that create standout players.

Here's what separates you from Reddit advice-seekers: You have professional coaching insights, not peer guesses. You understand the 'why' behind each tactic, not just the 'what.'

Your next practice should function as your laboratory.

• Test one tactic. 
• Measure the results. 
• Adjust. 
• Repeat. 

That's how tactical players become tactical masters.

Remember, every coach notices the player who thinks about the game, not just plays it.

Be that player.

Which tactic will you test first? Your journey from reactive player to tactical thinker starts with that choice."

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 Strategies 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.

SUSCRIBE
To My Email Newsletter Below!

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

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

A-1 Vegas Volley VBC

    In It To Win It      Tournament   

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegas Volley (@vegas_volley)

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