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

Volleyball Serve Use A Float, Jump Or Overhand Serve To Start A Rally

The overhand, underhand or jump volleyball serve is used to start a rally after the ref blows the whistle for the player in Zone 1 behind the service line.

my 18s Vegas Volley boys players Noah and Calvin both have their eyes on the ball as they hit, watching where their hand is contacting the ball during their float serve contact technique.

My 18s Vegas Volley boys players Noah and Calvin both have their eyes on the ball as they contact it for their volleyball serve, watching where their hand is contacting the ball during their float serve contact technique.

My 18s Vegas Volley boys players Noah and Calvin both have their eyes on the ball as they contact it for their serve, watching where their hand is contacting the ball during their float volleyball serve contact technique.

What Is A Good Serve in Volleyball?

The volleyball serve is your first opportunity to score a point and it's the one individual skill in volleyball that you have complete control of.

Addi getting 100 overhand serve reps in on Super Bowl Sunday working on her standing float serve down the line.

Focusing on starting with hips open to the wall to her right, a consistent toss and a smooth arm swing when contacting the ball with the middle of her hand to the middle of the ball.

Addi works on her jump float serve toss consistency while aiming for a deep line serve to Zone 5.

From the moment

you pick up the ball behind the service line,
to once it leaves your hands for the toss after the ref blows the whistle

you literally have the ability to score points for your team, if you use the correct volleyball serving technique.

T he serve is often the first offensive skill a player usually learns.

If you can't serve the ball, you can't play the game, since throwing the ball over the net isn't allowed.

Syd works on improving her standing float serve during private training with me.

Different Types of Volleyball Serves

The volleyball serve is your first opportunity to score a point and it's the one individual skill in volleyball that you have complete control of. (Richard Yuan)

There are various types of volleyball serves that players can utilize.

Understanding these different types of serves and their unique characteristics can enhance your effectiveness on the court.

Here are a few commonly used serve types:

Volleyball Serves - The Float Serve

Unlike a topspin serve that dives downwards or a jump serve with high velocity, the float serve often has minimal rotation and can move unpredictably in the air.

When you look at my players you'll see (or should see) that all of them have the same serving form and technique. We work hard on -

keeping the elbow close to the ear
watching their hand when they contact the ball
watch how their hips are facing where they want to serve the ball (we were working on serving line to zone 5)
all of them are or will contact the ball at the same spot on the ball, so the upper part of the palm just below the knuckles contact the middle panels of the ball
working on a consistent toss on every serve so I know exactly where to contact the ball

To execute a float serve, start by standing behind the service line with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Hold the ball with a light grip in your non serving hand which will be your tossing hand, almost like you're cradling it.

As you toss the ball in front of you with a straight outstretched arm, make sure to keep the toss consistent and in line in other words..in front of your hitting shoulder.

Toss the ball two feet up in the air and one foot in front of your front foot which is pointed in the direction of where you want the ball to be served.

servingconnorwithperfecttossingtechniqueballlocationinfrontofservingarm1

The key is to keep your toss so consistent, that if you toss the ball ten times in a row and let it fall to the ground, it goes up the same height and comes down in the same spot every single time.

As you swing your arm forward, make contact with the middle or lower part of the ball using a firm, flat hand.

Rather than adding topspin or backspin, focus on a clean, direct hit.

The primary benefit of the float serve is its ability to disrupt the opposing team's reception.

Unlike a topspin serve that dives downwards or a jump serve with high velocity, the float serve often has minimal rotation and can move unpredictably in the air.

Ryanwils, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This can make it challenging for passers to read the trajectory and adjust their positioning accordingly.

Volleyball Serves
The Jump Serve

Are you a tough volleyball server? ⁠
⁠
As a tough volleyball server, your job is to be comfortable serving anywhere and anyone from behind the service line with pace and precision in order to score points.⁠

When you do your volleyball drills for serving practice you want to do tons of reps to every single one of the six positions on the court.⁠
⁠
You want to be able to hit those targets from anywhere behind the service line. ⁠

Targets to aim for⁠ during your volleyball drills for serving:
⁠
-serve seams⁠
-serves the sidelines⁠
serve outside hitters deep in the court⁠
⁠

Some players think that being a tough volleyball server means you need to really be sneaky and try and fake out the serve receive by not showing where you are going to serve.⁠
⁠
On the contrary I say...let everybody know where you are going to serve.⁠
⁠
Face Your Target.⁠

The jump serve is a dynamic and powerful serving technique that can give you a strategic advantage on the court.

This serve involves a three or four step approach and a jump to launch the server in the air to generate extra power and velocity behind the ball.

To execute a jump serve effectively, start by standing behind the service line and take a few steps back for your approach.

My College Breakfast Club training group working on jump float serve skills specifically hand to ball and toss consistency.

step - toss - step close - launch yourself in the air

As you reach the peak of your approach, jump off both feet, extending your hitting arm back and swinging it forward forcefully.

Make contact with the ball at the highest point of your jump, ideally with a firm hand and a snapping motion of the wrist.

The primary advantage of the jump serve is the added power and velocity it can generate so once the ball passes over the net it spins to the ground quickly.

With a well-executed jump serve, you can put significant pressure on the opposing team's serve reception, making it difficult for them to control the ball and initiate a strong offensive play.

To maximize the effectiveness of your jump serve, consider the following tips:

1. Timing

Focus on timing your approach jump to ensure you contact the ball at the highest point of your jump.

Practice the timing and coordination of your steps, arm swing, and jump reach to achieve a seamless motion with no pauses or hesitations in your approach to the ball.

2. Generating Height

Work on developing explosive leg power to achieve the maximum height in your jump.

I like to tell my clients to attack the floor with the last two steps of your approach in order to launch yourself higher in the air using your leg muscles to drive upward forcefully to gain additional height during the serve.

3. Generating Velocity

To generate velocity, focus on a strong back swing with both arms and quickly and aggressively swing both arms forward before pulling the elbow of the serving arm back keeping the elbow close to your ear while turning the palm of the hand towards the ball before you make contact with the ball.

Use the full range of motion in your hitting shoulder and snap your wrist to add speed to the serve.

4. Practice and Consistency

Like any skill, the jump serve requires practice and consistency to refine your technique and develop accuracy and control.

Set aside practice sessions to work on your jump serve and strive for repetition and refining your technique.

By mastering the mechanics of the jump serve and incorporating it into your game strategy, you can become a formidable server and disrupt the opposing team's serve reception, giving your team a significant advantage.

Volleyball Serves
Topspin Serve

The topspin serve is a powerful serving technique that can put significant pressure on the opposing team's reception.

It involves imparting topspin rotation on the ball, resulting in a downward trajectory when the ball crosses the net.

To execute a topspin serve effectively, start by standing behind the service line and ensure a firm grip on the ball.

Position yourself with your feet shoulder-width apart and your non-dominant foot slightly in front of the other.

As you begin your serving motion, toss the ball slightly in front of you and to the hitting shoulder side.

The toss should be high enough to allow you to strike the ball at its highest point. This is crucial for generating the desired topspin.

When making contact with the ball, strike it with a firm hand and snap your wrist downward and slightly across the ball's center.

This action imparts topspin rotation, causing the ball to dip and drop rapidly towards the opposing team's court.

The topspin serve offers several advantages.

By creating a downward trajectory, it can make it challenging for the opposing team to handle effectively.

The combination of speed and the ball's steep descent can lead to difficulties in accurately receiving the serve.

Additionally, the topspin can cause the ball to bounce off the passer's arms with greater velocity, increasing the chances of an uncontrolled pass or an error on their part.

To refine your topspin serve and enhance its effectiveness, consider the following tips:

1. Consistency

Focus on consistent toss placement and contact point to ensure a clean and powerful strike. Practice the toss and striking motion repeatedly to develop muscle memory and consistency.

2. Timing

Pay attention to the timing of your toss and approach, ensuring optimal coordination between the two. Timing is crucial for achieving the desired contact point.

3. Wrist Snap

Emphasize a quick and forceful snap of the wrist at the moment of contact to generate maximum topspin rotation. Practice the wrist snap motion separately to improve control and power.

4. Practice Variations

Experiment with varying the pace, placement, and angle of your topspin serves.

This can add an element of unpredictability, making it even more challenging for the opposing team to receive your serves effectively.

By mastering the technique of the topspin serve, you can become a formidable server and create opportunities for your team by disrupting the opposing team's reception.

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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!

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.

The Volleyball Serve
Where Do You Go From Here?

Your three options are:

You can learn more about Serving by visiting the related links below.
Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
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.
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.

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

Trying out for varsity? There are 6 basic volleyball skills, you need to learn beforehand: setting, passing, serving, hitting, blocking and digging.

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.

utkaprilcollegepiconneylandstadiumvideoboard

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