Understanding the Let Serve Rule in Volleyball and Questions Answered

Learn important volleyball service rules and answers to basic let serve volleyball questions about what's legal when serving a ball from behind the service line. 

The let serve is the way the ball is launched over the net to start the rally after the ref has blown the whistle. (Ralph Aversen)

Whether you're a player, coach, or just curious about certain serving rules of the game, this article is here to help you better understand specific volleyball serve rules.

First I will define what the let serve is and how it differs from other types of serves in volleyball.

Then I'll answer questions such as whether a let serve is considered a fault or a legal play and how it impacts the flow of the game.

By the end of this page, you will have a solid understanding of what a let serve is and what its implications are during a match.

In the past, if the ball touched the net during the serve, it would be deemed a fault, resulting in the opposing team gaining the side out and the right to serve.

In simpler language, if you served the ball and it touched the net in anyway as it was passing over from your court to the other team's court, the referee would blow the whistle because the ball was not allowed to ever ever ever touch any part of the net during your serve.  

But the rule was changed so that now when "a let serve occurs", the play continues uninterrupted as long as the ball falls to the floor on the opposing team's court side.

The referees "let" the ball hit the net during a serve and both teams have an equal opportunity to make a play as long as the ball falls into the opposing team's which is the team in serve receive's court, to continue.

This rule was designed to add an element of unpredictability and excitement to the game, because players must be prepared to react very quickly to an unexpected ball bouncing off the net because of its change in trajectory as it hits or touches the net before travelling over it and this is caused by a let serve.

It also kept the ball in play for longer periods of time adding to longer rallies which is a more exciting game to watch as opposed to the referee starting and stopping the game too many times. 

With the let rule the ball is kept in play for longer periods of time, without referee interruption which has helped to create  longer rallies which contributes to a more exciting game to watch (by fans and spectators) as opposed to the referee starting and stopping the game too many times. 

While the let serve can change the flow of the game temporarily, it is important to note that play is allowed to continue to rather than immediately awarding the opposing team a point or the right to serve.

This way, players have to remain focused and ready to adapt to the circumstances presented by a let serve.

Understanding the let serve rule and its implications for gameplay is crucial for both servers and receivers.

By familiarizing yourself with this rule, you can adjust your passing strategy and quick reactions accordingly, turning potential let serves into an opportunity to gain an advantage or maintain control during rallies.

In case there is confusion or if you have any misconceptions surrounding the let serve rule, I want to provide clarity, and address commonly asked questions in order to debunk any misconceptions.

My goal is to offer accurate information, and to enhance your knowledge and understanding of this important rule.

The Let Serve and More Volleyball Service Rules: The serve puts the ball in play with one player on the defensive team launches the ball over the net to the team receiving serve (Richard Yuan)

The volleyball serve is the skill used to start a rally. The serve puts the ball in play with one player on the defensive team who launches the ball over the net to the team receiving serve once the referee blows the whistle.

What's a "let" serve in volleyball?

The old rules were that when a server served a ball which nicked or touched the top of the net

• this is a fault
• the referee blew their whistle 
• awarded the opposing team the sideout 
• the server's team lost the ball to the opposing team
• the opposing team would get a point and the right to serve

Volleyball service rules have changed and now the let serve rule states that a served ball on its way to an opposing team's court...

• if it touches the top of the net and falls into the opposing team's court

that ball is still a live ball and can be played up.

Play continues until that ball drops to the opposing team's floor. 

The referees "let" the ball hit the net and "let" play continue only if

• the ball hits the net and continues over into the opposing team's court. 

Also known as "the service" according to volleyball serve rules its the action taken by a player who is in the right back position in their team's rotation in the service area.

During the course of the game this player, while standing behind the service line, tosses the ball to with one hand and contacts the ball with the other hand while standing on the ground or while jumping in the air in order to send it across the net into the court of the team that's in serve receive. 

• There are 6 zones on the court. 
• Six players rotate in and out of those zones so anyone of these six players who rotate into Zone 1 after their team has won the rally can serve. That person is called the "server" and is the only one who can serve at the beginning of each rally. 
• A player can be substituted in from off the bench to replace one player on the court  to serve in their place. 

The Let Serve and Volleyball Service Rules: Iowa Hawkeyes Libero Serving a Volleyball Photo by Jon Fravel

The Let Serve and Volleyball Service Rules: : In collegiate, high school and middle school competition a libero can serve.

Yes.

In collegiate, high school and middle school competition a libero can serve. Only in international competition is a libero prohibited from serving in volleyball. 

Once the server has completed their serve, the volleyball ball must

• not contact any of the server's teammates before passing into the opponents court
• must completely travel between the two antenna's before landing into the opponents court
• not land in the net on the server's side
• land out of bounds
• pass over players who are creating a screen as blockers making it difficult or impossible for the opposing team's passers to see the travel path of the ball

All of the five things above will result in the referee blowing their whistle and awarding the ball to the opposing team, giving them to a chance to serve and possibly score a direct point. 

Frequently Asked Questions Answered About The Let Serve

Say "Hi" to Miss Tattoo the Tiger wearing the #9 jersey. Miss Tattoo is the starting defensive and serving specialist for the All Beast VolleyBragSwag All Star team. Tatoo the White Tiger and Jump Serve Specialist Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions About The Let 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. 

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