- Improve Your Volleyball with Coach April
- Volleyball Tips on Playing Better and Improving Your Basic Skills
- Volleyball Serving Mistakes Checklist
5 Volleyball Serving Mistakes That Keep Players on the Bench
Stop serving "safe" and start serving strategically. Reduce your volleyball serving mistakes that keep coaches from trusting you to serve in crucial moments.
Are You Tired of Serving Like You're Afraid to Miss?
You work harder than anyone on your team.
You show up early, stay late, and give maximum effort in every drill.
But when game time comes and your team needs a momentum-changing serve?
Here's what I know after 40+ years in volleyball:
Those volleyball serving mistakes coaches keep mentioning during timeouts?
They're not random errors—they're "fixable technical and mental breakdowns" that separate bench players from starters.
Does this sound familiar?
- You serve "safe" but still miss at the worst times
- Your serves are easy for opponents to pass and attack
- Coaches never call your number when they need an ace
- You watch less-dedicated players earn serving opportunities
- You wonder why your consistent practice doesn't translate to game trust
Guess what? This cycle ends now
Meet the Coach Who Turned Serving Into a 40-Year Record
Hi, I'm April Chapple—and serving changed my entire volleyball career.
My Elite Serving Background
On November 1-2, 2024, I was honored at University of Tennessee's Champion's Weekend for the 40th anniversary of our 1984 SEC championship.
Fun fact: I am the only six-rotation starting player in Tennessee volleyball history to win three SEC championships in four years—a record that still stands.
This formula helped me set career and All-Time records that still exist today in the volleyball serve aces category at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
My serving credentials:
- Tennessee's #2 career aces record holder (244 aces)**—still standing after 40+ years
- Multiple single-season aces records:** #3 (.65 aces per set), #5 (.56 aces per set), #7 (.53 aces per set)
- 3-time All-American** who used serving as a primary weapon
- USA National Team member** who competed internationally
- First Team All-Pro Major League Volleyball** player
- University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee
The serving philosophy that created these records:
- Attack with purpose,
- exploit weaknesses systematically
- never give opponents easy balls.
Current Mission in Las Vegas
Unlike volleyball powerhouse states like California or Utah where generational players pass down serving wisdom to their children, Las Vegas lacks that volleyball heritage.
Very young California players learn serving strategy as family tradition—they're taught to attack with their serves from the moment they can hold a ball.
I moved to Las Vegas specifically to **bridge that gap**—bringing elite-level systematic serving training to players who don't have access to generational volleyball wisdom.
-15+ years coaching now at Squad VBC, Vegas Volley, and (3) three years at Tstreet Vegas with
-over 25 years of private training high profile D-I and D-II Vegas players like
- Gatorade Player of the Year (Silverado High School) Sydney Berenyi, Click here to rea mor about Sydney and I training together.
- (3) three-time state champion at Bishop Gorman as well as two-time Gatorade Player of the Year - Tommi Stockham,
- (3) three-time state champions at Boulder City High School, BYU opposite hitter starter, Kate Prior
- (3) three-time state champions at Boulder City High School, BYU opposite hitter starter, Sierra Orton
- (4) four year Stanford starting setter, USA National team member, Sports Imports spokesperson, Kami Miner daughter of Baby Jordan a Rising Star LA Times article, look in my side bar to read the ESPN article. Click to read more about Kami Miner.
High-Profile Athletes I've Developed:
- Gatorade Player of the Year Sydney Berenyi** (Silverado High School)
- Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year Tommi Stockham** (3-time state champion at Bishop Gorman)
- USA National Team member Kami Miner**
- (4-year Stanford starting setter)
- Kate Prior (BYU) & Sierra Orton (Arkansas Tech)
- (3-time state champions, Boulder City)
Tommi Stockham (Bishop Gorman) First Team All Big West Conference Team
Private Volleyball Lessons Client 3+ Years
Taking private volleyball lessons with me is a positive experience because the drills/exercises we do in my volleyball class, are usually done at a faster pace so players get more touches and repetitions on the ball and are use to playing at varsity and when necessary college speed levels.
Kate Prior All West Coast Conference Team Honorable Mention
Private Volleyball Lessons Client 3+ Years
Taking volleyball lessons with me is a positive experience because my lessons help defensive and offensive players visualize, develop and identify realistic volleyball playing goals.
Recent Success:
- Seven Vegas Volley 18s boys: I coached reached 2024 Nevada state championship finals across multiple divisions
- Dozens of college scholarships: earned by athletes using these serving methods
- Specialized in transforming "safe" servers into tactical weapons: that coaches trust
DOWNLOAD
YOUR
VOLLEYBALL SERVING MISTAKES
CHECKLIST
Bench Or Starter? 5 Volleyball Serving Mistakes Costing You Play Time
(Agnieszka jump float serve height by zorro2212) ✓ Fix errors that keep you on the bench
✓ Practice efficiently with targeted solutions
✓ Track progress with professional checkpoints
✓ Access instantly—print or keep on device
✓ One-page format for quick reference
The 5 Fatal Volleyball Serving Mistakes (And How to Fix Them Like a Record-Holder)
❌ Mistake #1: Serving Without a Target
Why it happens:
You're focused on just getting the ball over
The real cause:
Lack of tactical serving mindset
The fix:
Choose your target before you even get the ball
Quick check:
Can you point to exactly where you plan to serve?
My Tennessee approach:
I decided my target during the rally before I even rotated back to serve. By the time I got the ball, I was already attacking a specific weakness.
❌ Mistake #2: Predictable Serving Patterns
Why it happens:
You serve to the same spots repeatedly
The real cause:
Fear of missing makes you play it "safe"
The fix:
Alternate serving locations—short to front row, then deep to back row
Quick check:
Are you mixing up your serve placement every 2-3 serves?
What I tell my players:
"If you serve an ace to a spot, serve that spot again. If they adjust, find their new weakness."
❌ Mistake #3: Poor Serving Position
**Why it happens:**
You serve from wherever you happen to be
The real cause:
Not understanding court geometry and angles
The fix:
Serve from middle of baseline for shortest distance to target
Quick check:
Are you positioning yourself for maximum advantage?
Record-setting secret:
I served from behind Zone 6 (middle back) because it gave me the shortest distance to any target and kept opponents guessing about direction.
❌ Mistake #4: Weak Mental Approach
Why it happens:
You rush your serve or lack consistent routine
The real cause:
Not treating serving as your personal scoring opportunity
The fix:
Take full 8 seconds, develop pre-serve ritual, visualize success
Quick check:
Do you have the same routine every single serve?
My championship mindset:
I treated every serve like a spike—aggressive, purposeful, designed to score points, not just start rallies.
❌ Mistake #5: Technical Inconsistency
Why it happens:
Inconsistent toss, elbow position, or ball contact
The real cause:
Practicing without systematic technical focus
The fix:
Master the "two up, one forward" toss formula and high-five ball contact
Quick check:
Can you toss 10 balls to the same spot consistently?
Tennessee training method:
I practiced 100 tosses daily, letting the ball drop to check consistency. If they didn't land in the same 12-inch area, I started over.
Why "Safe" Serving Actually Sabotages Your Career
Traditional serving approaches fail because:
- They prioritize avoiding mistakes over creating opportunities
- They give opponents easy balls to run their offense
- They don't exploit opponent weaknesses systematically
- They build defensive mindsets instead of attacking confidence
I tell my players:
"Serving is the only skill you control completely. Why would you waste that opportunity giving opponents what they want?"
My systematic serving approach works because:
- Identifies specific opponent vulnerabilities** (weak passers, formation gaps)
- Creates tactical advantages** that disrupt opponent rhythm
- Builds aggressive serving confidence** through systematic success
- Tracks measurable results** so you know your impact
Real Servers, Real Results
Coach April taught me to serve with purpose instead of hope. Now I'm the player coaches trust when we need an ace, and I just signed with my dream college."
**— Marcus T., Las Vegas High School
The serving numbers don't lie:
- - 244 career aces** in my Tennessee career (40+ year record)
- - 7 players reached Nevada state finals** in 2024
- - Multiple Gatorade Players of the Year** developed through systematic serving
- - Dozens of college scholarships** earned by tactical servers
- - Consistent transformation** from bench servers to go-to weapons
DOWNLOAD
YOUR
VOLLEYBALL SERVING MISTAKES
CHECKLIST
✓ Fix errors that keep you on the bench
✓ Practice efficiently with targeted solutions
✓ Track progress with professional checkpoints
✓ Access instantly—print or keep on device
✓ One-page format for quick reference
Get My Volleyball Serving Mistakes Checklist System
**Step 1: Download Your Serving Arsenal**
Get instant access to multiple serving checklists—no waiting, no confusion. Identify your specific serving weaknesses in 5-10 minutes.
**Step 2: Implement the Record-Setting System**
Follow the same tactical approach that created Tennessee's #2 career aces record. Practice with purpose using targeted methods.
**Step 3: Track Your Serving Dominance**
Use built-in checkpoints to monitor improvement. Watch coaches start trusting you in crucial serving moments.
Most players see dramatic improvement in serving confidence within 1-2 weeks.
Get Your Volleyball Serving Mistakes Checklist - $7
Stop Being the "Safe" Server. Start Being the Go-To Weapon
Your time, effort, and love for volleyball shouldn't end with you watching others serve in crucial moments.
Every day you practice "safe" serving, you're reinforcing the habits that keep coaches from trusting you when matches are on the line.
Meanwhile, players using systematic serving approaches are becoming the weapons coaches rely on for momentum changes and crucial points.
The choice is yours:
- Keep serving scared and hoping for the best
- Or start serving with the tactical intelligence that creates records
Your Volleyball Serving Transformation Starts in 3 Steps:
**Step 1: Download Your Serving Arsenal**
Get instant access to multiple serving checklists—no waiting, no confusion. Identify your specific serving weaknesses in 5-10 minutes.
**Step 2: Implement the Record-Setting System**
Follow the same tactical approach that created Tennessee's #2 career aces record. Practice with purpose using targeted methods.
**Step 3: Track Your Serving Dominance**
Use built-in checkpoints to monitor improvement. Watch coaches start trusting you in crucial serving moments.
Most players see dramatic improvement in serving confidence within 1-2 weeks.
Stop Being the "Safe" Server. Start Being the Go-To Weapon
Your time, effort, and love for volleyball shouldn't end with you watching others serve in crucial moments.
Every day you practice "safe" serving, you're reinforcing the habits that keep coaches from trusting you when matches are on the line.
Meanwhile, players using systematic serving approaches are becoming the weapons coaches rely on for momentum changes and crucial points.
The choice is yours:
- Keep serving scared and hoping for the best
- Or start serving with the tactical intelligence that creates records
Get Your Complete Serving System - Multiple Checklists Available
Transform from bench server to tactical weapon with the same systematic approach that created Tennessee records and develops college-recruited athletes.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR
VOLLEYBALL SERVING MISTAKES
CHECKLIST
Bench Or Starter? 5 Volleyball Serving Mistakes Costing You Play Time
(Agnieszka jump float serve height by zorro2212) ✓ Fix errors that keep you on the bench
✓ Practice efficiently with targeted solutions
✓ Track progress with professional checkpoints
✓ Access instantly—print or keep on device
✓ One-page format for quick reference
Choose Your Serving Development Path:
**🎯 [Tactical Serving Strategy Checklist - $7)**
Master opponent analysis and strategic target selection
**⚡ [Volleyball Ace Scoring Checklist - $7]**
Learn the systematic approach to scoring points from the service line
**🚀 [Jump Float Serve Mastery Checklist- $7]**
Perfect the advanced serving technique that dominates at higher levels
**📋 [Consistent Toss Mastery Checklist - $7)**
Build the technical foundation that creates consistent serving success
**🎯 [Serving Target Zones Checklist - $7]**
Master court positioning and high-percentage target selection
**✅ [Common Serving Mistakes Checklist - $7)**
Eliminate the errors that keep you on the bench
You Deserve to Be the Server Coaches Trust
Stop wondering why others get the crucial serving opportunities.
Start serving with the systematic intelligence that wins matches and earns college recruitment.
Your volleyball serving transformation is one systematic approach away.
**Contact:** info@improveyourvolley.com
**Online Resources:** ImproveYourVolley.com
*Ready to become the server your team counts on in crucial moments? Your coaches are waiting to trust you with match-changing serves.*
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
Do You Follow Me on Pinterest?
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.
You might like these pages about volleyball serving.
Overhand Jump Serve Volleyball Tips To Score Many More Points and Aces
My "Coach April Overhand Jump Serve Volleyball Tips" designed to help you increase your serving accuracy, power and the ability to serve more aces in volleyball.
Volleyball Serving Tips and Strategies To Create Powerful Serves
Master the art of serving with these essential volleyball serving tips. Learn overhand serves, short serve strategies, and how to exploit opponent weak zones.
10 Volleyball Serve Receive Tips: A Guide To What Happens On Offense
This page explains what happens when a team is on offense along with a reprint of my 10 Volleyball Serve Receive tips article that appeared on Active.com
A Setter Volleyball Checklist With Tips To Improve How To Set A Ball
Learn how to improve your setting technique with these setter volleyball checklist tips that breakdown what to do with each body part from head to toe.
Your Serve in Volleyball: 10 Tips To Get You From Bench to Starter
I hold Tennessee's #2 career aces record (244 aces). Last month I coached 7 players to state finals. These 10 serving tips separate legends from bench players.
Need To Hit A Volleyball With Power? First Improve Your Spike Approach
These tips for how to hit a volleyball focus on improving your three or four step spike approach techniques which creates the power for your hitting attacks.
Middle Blocker Tips! Hey Middle Blockers Who Are You Gonna Block?
These middle blocker tips help you decide if you need to block certain hitters cross court or down the line and what team blocking strategies are going to be.
One Volleyball Blocking Tip For Players On Defense In The Front Row
This volleyball blocking tip describes the importance of watching the hitter when you are at the net about to block the opposing spiker in front of you.
Four Blocking in Volleyball Tips To Improve Your Defensive Skills Fast
An important blocking in volleyball tip is to watch the hitter you are going to block in order to pick up important clues that'll help you block the hitter.
Digs in Volleyball: Fundamental Techniques for Successful Defense
This guide is designed to help players learn how to use their forearms to create a strong platform that deflects an attack and improves your digs in volleyball.
How To Hit Harder Volleyball Attacks In Order To Score More Points
Learning how to hit harder volleyball attacks with the imperfect set and high off blocker's hands are two effective hitting tactics used to score points.
14 Spiking in Volleyball Tips That Quickly Improve Your Spike Skills
Improve your spiking in volleyball by mixing up your shots, aim for the block two ways for hitters looking for ways to score against a big opposing block.
Four Volleyball Blocking Tips These're Basic Rules for Better Blocking
Beginners should learn these four basic volleyball blocking tips and rules, common fouls and faults allowed in the game about what is volleyball blocking.
Improve Your Forearm Pass in Volleyball With My Two Receiving Tips
The forearm pass in volleyball describes how a player on the receiving team contacts the first ball served over the net by the serving team on defense.
3 Volleyball Player Passing Tips To Quickly Fix Serve Receive Skills
3 volleyball player passing tips like keep arms straight, feet on the ground and move your feet quickly to the ball when you need to improve your serve receive.
Volleyball Tipping 3 Attack Strategies Outside Hitters Use To Score
The hard volleyball hit is not the only point scoring option a hitter has. Volleyball tipping is an offensive strategy you can use to vary your attack hits.
Volleyball Tips on Playing Better and Improving Your Basic Skills
Use these volleyball tips as helpful hints and lessons on how to play better volleyball starting with passing, setting, spiking, digging, blocking and serving.
Tips For Short Volleyball Players To Improve Hitting Or Spiking Skills
Hitting off the block is one of the most valuable tips for short volleyball players to use against taller blockers in order to sideout and/or score points.
Serving in Volleyball Tactics For Scoring Points With Your Float Serve
When serving in volleyball there are two places where you can serve to on the opposing team's court to increase the chance of scoring points with your serve.
How to Pepper Volleyball Tips On Increasing Aggressiveness in Defense
Learn how to pepper: volleyball tips on how to increase your aggressiveness on keeping balls of the ground during your defensive techniques.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2025 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2025 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2025.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
Email me right now to register or for more information.
info@improveyourvolley.com
Serving slang is not just about individual techniques; it also relates to overall game strategy. A coach might instruct a player to serve a "short serve" or a "deep serve" to target specific areas of the opponent's court or exploit weaknesses in their serve receive formation.
Ari, my private training client and I are working specifically on serving on jump float cross court serves ...short to Zone 2
There's so much we work on to get to this point where she can contact the ball with
- the same toss height and same toss location
- the same armswing speed
- the same timing for when her serving hand contacts the ball
- the middle of the hand contacting the middle of the ball every single time
- getting use to watching her serving hand contact the ball at the highest point of her jump ...before she starts to land
- and finally contacting the ball in the precise spot on the ball so it goes where the coach wants the player to put it so in this case ..a short serve in the farthest short right corner on the court also called Zone 2.
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Read my open letter to Las Vegas Jr high/high school volleyball parents about my predictions on individual and small group volleyball training trends for 2019/2021
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
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
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 DivisionWhat Are You Looking For?
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