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Tennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements

Types of Volleyball Serves Topspin, Missile, Coach Kill, Friendly Fire

Topspin, missile, coach kill, friendly fire and husband and wife play are serving terms used for advanced types of volleyball serves used by varsity players.

Learn more about the advanced techniques and types of volleyball serves like the topspin, missile, coach kill, friendly fire and husband and wife play. Vegas Volley 18s setter Mason jump float serves in practice. Shots by Shanty

These are the 3 types of volleyball serves

underhand serves
overhand serves like the float serve
jump serves like the jump float and jump spin

used by indoor and beach volleyball players.

My Breakfast Club for College group is doing a serving under pressure drill where two serving line of players go at the same time, so one serving line serves to Zone 1 and the other line serves to Zone 5 ..simultaneously.

Learn more about the advanced types of volleyball serving techniques and skills.

These are the 3 types of volleyball serves underhand serves overhand serves like the float serve jump serves like the jump float and jump spin used by indoor and beach volleyball players.

topspin
missile
coach
kill
friendly fire
husband and wife play

Types of Volleyball Serves:
What is a Topspin Serve?

What is a Topspin Serve?

During a jump serve, a server uses topspin by making contact with the upper third portion of the ball, on the top panels, after it's tossed.

To create topspin on the ball the server places their hand on the ball in such a way that it

generates forward rotation once contacted
making the top of the ball spin forward faster
increasing its speed and velocity as it travels in the air to the opposing court

so it drops out of the air quickly once it crosses the net.

Standing Topspin vs. Jump Topspin

A server can take a 3-4 step approach behind the service line and in the air contact the top third of the ball so it spins as it crosses the court. This is called a jump topspin serve. (Henry Stern)

A server can

stand on the ground and do a topspin serve without jumping first

or they can

take a three or four step approach behind the service line and while in the air contact the top third of the ball so it spins as it crosses the court.

This is called a jump topspin serve.

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On the beach court which is smaller in size, the topspin serve is quite effective since players have much less time to react to the serve.

Types of Volleyball Serves:
What's a Coach Kill?

Types of Volleyball Serves: If the coach calls timeout and the next team's server misses their serve the coach's strategy is considered a "kill" or that point is attributed to the coach's action, this is a "coach kill"

What's a Coach Kill?

A coach kill is one of the serving terms used when a player on team a serves the ball into the net or commits a service error of any kind after the coach on team B called a time-out or substitution.

Since the coach called the substitution or the timeout to distract the opposing team's server and to break her concentration, if the coach's strategy works then the "kill" or that point is attributed to the coach's action and not due to any particular player or team action.

Types of Volleyball Serves:
What is Friendly Fire?

Friendly Fire describes what happens when a ball served by one player hits their own teammate, in the back of the head, with the ball.

What is Friendly Fire?

Friendly fire is one of those funny volleyball terms which describes what happens when a ball served by one player hits their own teammate, in the back of the head, with the ball.

This is a fault and a point for the other team.

Types of Volleyball Serves:
What is the Husband and Wife Play?

What is the Husband and Wife Play?

When a server on one team aims the ball so it lands between two players on the opposing team it causes communication problems between the two passers.

This is a serving strategy used by beach players who purposefully serve the ball so it lands between the left side and right side players on the opposing team, causing the two players to "fight' over who is going to receive serve.

Husbands and wives "fight" over things so this is why this has become commonly used beach volleyball jargon used in serving.

Types of Volleyball Serves:
What's a Missile?

What's a Missile?

A "missile" is a term used in volleyball that describes the type of super hard driven serve made by a player.

A missile is a tough serve which may or may not end in a direct point.

If a server serves a missile that hits the floor before anyone can pass it then it results in a direct point also called an ace in volleyball, since the passers aren't able to pass this type of ball.

Frequently Asked Questions About Proper Volleyball Serve Technique

Click to read How To Serve A Volleyball: A Step By Step Guide for Beginners

1. How can I improve my volleyball serve?

Regular practice is key to improvement. Additionally, you can focus on elements such as having a consistent toss, utilizing your whole body for the serve, aiming for different target areas on the court, and varying the speed and spin of your serve.

It can also be beneficial to work with a coach or more experienced players for specific tips and feedback.

Click to read How To Improve Volleyball Serve Skills For Float, Jump and Spin Serves

2. What kind of serve gives the most control?

For beginners, the underhand serve will most likely provide the most control. As your skills improve, you might find that the overhand serve gives you a good balance of control and power.

what is serving in volleyball the first opportunity to score a point

3. How can I make my serves more powerful?

Power in serving comes from a combination of arm swing speed, timing, and body momentum.

Working on your physical strength, particularly in your core and serving arm, can also help generate more power in your serves.

Volleyball Serving Drills: Addi, Piper and Hadley Working on their Jump Float Serve To Chairs for Accuracy and Points during semiprivate training with me

4. What is the most difficult type of serve to return?

It can be subjective and depends on the skills of the receiver. Usually, many players find the float serve difficult to return due to its unpredictable trajectory. A well-executed jump serve can also be very challenging to return due to its speed and power.

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.

5. Can I touch the line while serving in volleyball?

No, you cannot touch the line. While serving, you need to stay behind the end line until you have contacted the ball.

Stepping on or over the line before the ball has been hit is considered a foot fault, and results in the serve going to the other team.

Need help with getting the ball over the net when you serve? Read my article Volleyball Serve: Use A Float Serve or Jump Serve?

6. Why is my serve going into the net/too long?

If your serves are going into the net, it may be because you could be making contact too low on the ball or you are not generating enough power with your pre-serve technique.

If your serves are too long, you may be swinging at the ball too hard, with too much follow through, too high, or leaning back too much on contact.

Making adjustments in these areas can help improve your serves. I love to help my clients identify what they need to do in order to develop a consistently tough serve.

Ariella and I spend a lot of time developing a tough jump float serve to anywhere I tell her on the court.

Remember that volleyball is about teamwork, skill, and most importantly, enjoyment! Train hard, play fair, and always enjoy the game.

Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to me at april@improveyourvolley.com. I'm here to help you become the best volleyball server you can be!

Click to read my article: How To Become A Superstar Server With A Good Serve

This has been an important message by your favorite volleyball coach! That's me!!

Thanks for visiting.

Be sure to check out more of my volleyball articles by clicking one of the links below! (April Chapple)

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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.

Volleyball Basics
Where Do You Go From Here?

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

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

Check out these articles about the volleyball basics for new coaches.

Six Best Volleyball Tips That Help You Get Better At Volleyball Fast
These are six of the best volleyball tips one for each basic skill including passing, setting, blocking, digging, spiking and serving that'll improve your game.
How to Serve A Floater Known As The Standing Float Serve in Volleyball
Learn how to serve a floater, also called a standing float serve that's hard for the opposing team to pass because of how the ball floats while crossing the net
Coaching How To Receive Volleyball Serve A Coaches Guide for Newbies
This coach's playbook helps new coaches learn to teach how to receive volleyball serve to elevate their team's serve receive skills with tips and drills.
Volleyball Passing Drills for Beginners For Players To Do At Home
Here are several volleyball passing drills for beginners to do at home with the focus being on beginner passers who need to pass the ball being served consistently
What Is Pepper In Volleyball? Lets Explore My Tips, Goals and Benefits
What is pepper in volleyball? Learn tips, set goals and explore the importance of attitude and mentality in this dynamic training exercise. Elevate your skills!
Understanding What Are Digs in Volleyball: A Defense Guide for Coaches
What are digs in volleyball? Digs are defensive plays where players use their forearms or hands to save an attacked ball and prevent it from hitting the court.
Volleyball Rotations: Understand What're The Rotations In Volleyball
Volleyball rotations A rally winning team gets one point, the right to serve and one rotation clockwise before the next server gets to serve to start a rally.
The Volleyball Bump How Do You Get To A Ball And Bump In Volleyball
A good volleyball bump tip for beginner high school players learning how to pass a ball is to avoid running and bumping at the same time in serve receive.
Tips On Volleyball Hitting Why Hitters Tip Deep, Cut Or Use Roll Shots
Use these tips on volleyball hitting to improve your offensive game by varying your attacks with different hitting options to beat various teams in defense.
The Spike in Volleyball Learn 7 Ways To Improve Your Hitting Skills
Using the block is one of the hitting skills spikers need to know in order to score more points in offense with their spike in volleyball for their team.
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These are 10 hitting tactics that short volleyball players, can rely on hit against and sideout and score against teams with big blockers in the front row.

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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.

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Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee, Coach April Chapple is

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.

kamiminerpac12setteroftheyearformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

Tommi Stockham All Big West Conference sophomore former Coach April Chapple private client 3 years

katepriorallwestcoastconferencebyufreshmanformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

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Dear Vegas Parent

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