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What Is An Overhand Serve Find Tips, Tactics and Techniques On Serving

What is an overhand serve? Discover the basics, tips, terms, tactics, and tutorials on ImproveYourVolley.com on what you need to know on the volleyball serve.

What's an overhand serve in volleyball? There are a few different types of overhand serves in volleyball, but what they have in common is that you contact the ball after its been tossed in front of you with an "above the head" armswing so that it propels the ball over the net and into the the opposing team's court. (Over the hand server photo Dan Morgan)

What's An Overhand Serve in Volleyball? The Floater

There are a few different types of overhand serves in volleyball, but what they have in common is that you contact the ball after its been tossed in front of you with an "above the head" armswing so that it propels the ball over the net and into the the opposing team's court.

Ryanwils, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The floater serve is done when you hit the ball without much spin, so it moves unpredictably in the air.

When you hit the ball with a flat hand and stiffly held "no bent wrist" contact it floats, wobbles, drops and moves unpredictably in the air, with no spin, making it tough for the other team to pass.

To pull off a perfect floater, you want to contact the ball with a flat hand right in the center panels of the ball facing you.

What is An Overhand Serve With Topspin?

A 12-year old with a tough top spin jump serve!

If you're looking to add some serious speed and power to your overhand serve, the topspin serve is the way to go.

The topspin serve is another overhand serve technique used when you flex or bend your wrist when you contact the ball which puts some topspin on the ball, making it cross the net faster and harder to receive.

To get that topspin, start with your hand high above the ball and really snap your wrist as you make contact.

Follow through with your arm making sure the palm of your hand faces the floor as it finishes with your thumb to your thigh finishing all the way past your leg.

Elevate Your Game with An Overhand Jump Serve

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

(Coach April private training client Ariella works on serving precision and aggressiveness. Click for more info on private training)

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. ⁠⁠

(Coach April private training client Ariella works on serving precision and aggressiveness. Click for more private training info)

Targets to aim for⁠ during your volleyball drills for serving:

⁠-serve the seams⁠
-serve the sidelines⁠
-serve outside hitters deep in the court⁠

(Coach April private training client Ariella works on serving precision and aggressiveness)

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.⁠

Ready to take your overhand serve to the next level?

The jump serve is a power-driven advanced overhand serve technique that can really make you stand out on the court.

To nail a jump serve, you'll toss the ball higher than usual, then take a three-step or four-step approach steps, and jump up to contact the ball at the peak of your jump.

This allows you to hit the ball with a ton of power and topspin from a higher point similar to how you'd spike a ball.

The jump serve is an aggressive serve technique where you toss the ball high, (higher than you would for a standing float serve) then take a three-step or four-step approach jump which launches you in the air before you contact the ball in the air at a higher point to get more power and speed on the ball when serving.

It takes a lot of practice and coordination, but once you've got it down, you'll be serving up some serious heat!

Practice Your Overhand Serve Until You Make It Perfect

If you want to get really good at the overhand serve, you have to put in alot of serving reps.

Spend time working on your technique, focusing on tossing the ball consistently, getting your arm swing right, and your ball contact smooth.

You can do drills that target specific parts of the serve, like tossing accuracy or serving to different areas on the court.

Add Pressure Drills When You Practice Your Overhand Serves

It also helps to practice under pressure, like in game-like situations, and to set goals for yourself.

It's one thing to nail your overhand serves in practice, but it's another to do it during a game when the pressure is on.

That's why it's important to practice serving in game-like situations. Get your teammates to cheer and make noise while you serve, or practice serving after running a quick sprint to get your heart rate up.

Contact info@improveyourvolley.com

The more you practice serving under pressure, the more comfortable and confident you'll feel during actual games.

Serving Drills to Improve Your Accuracy

If you want to get better at placing your overhand serves, you should practice hitting specific targets.

Set up some cones or water bottles on the other side of the net and aim for them. Start with bigger targets and work your way down to smaller ones as you get more accurate.

You can also practice serving to different zones on the court, like deep corners or short over the net.

The more you practice hitting those targets, the more accurate your serves will become in game situations.

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

To Sum Things Up

Improving the overhand volleyball serve takes time, practice, and dedication, but it's a skill that can really take your game to the next level.

By focusing on proper technique, developing a consistent serving routine, and practicing different types of serves under pressure, you'll be well on your way to becoming a serving powerhouse on the court.

Remember, a tough serve can be a game-changer, so keep working at it and don't get discouraged.

With the tips and techniques covered in this article, you've got everything you need to start serving up aces and dominating the competition.

What To Do Next

Now that you found me ..what's the first step you should take on learning how to improve your volleyball serving?

Volleyball can be easy to learn for players who receive the right instruction.

What is an overhand serve? Discover the basics, tips, terms, tactics, and tutorials on ImproveYourVolley.com on what you need to know on the volleyball serve. (Matt Duboff photo)

With instructors, like me, who have a lot of years of experience... and who can make the learning process....fun, competitive...and short...

You can join your more experienced teammates on the court in a short amount of time but first ..you're going to want to continue reading on this page.

On my site I made it easy for you to learn

what is an overhand serve
the jump float serve
types of serves in volleyball
volleyball serve rules
volleyball drills for serving
how to hire Coach April to help improve your overhand serve

volleyball and to teach yourself many of the skills that you can begin to do at home alone.

Today, even!

Learn What Is An Overhand Serve in Volleyball On Improve Your Volley.com

On my site its easy for you to learn what is serving in volleyball, the types of serves, serve rules, serving drills you can teach yourself that you can begin to do at home. (Matt Duboff)

On my site its easy for you to learn what is an overhand serve and other types of serves, serve rules, and serving drills you can teach yourself that you can begin to do at home. (Matt Duboff)

I created this page to serve as a directory where you can easily find the volleyball serving pages you are looking for with the basic skills, rules, drills, terms, tips, techniques, tactics, training and tutorials...all about the various serves and serving found on ImproveYourVolley.com.

What is an overhand serve?
How To Serve A Volleyball
For Beginners

Are you a beginner player looking for information on how to begin serving in volleyball?

Youve come to the right place. Check out these four articles below to get started.

How To Serve A Volleyball A Step By Step Tutorial For Beginners
With this step by step tutorial I teach beginner players how to serve a volleyball because having a tough overhand serve may increase your playing time.
How to Bump a Volleyball: 10 Steps For A Perfect Serve Receive Pass
Learn how to bump a volleyball so that you get the ball to your setter consistently by reading the action and moving quickly to where you think the ball will be
How To Pass A Volleyball Consistently To The Setter At The Net
Learn two passing tips on how to pass a volleyball consistently when you're in serve receive to your setter who needs your help running the offense
How To Pass In Volleyball Better With This Ball Control Passing Guide
Ball control is the biggest part of learning how to pass in volleyball consistently to your setter when your team is in serve receive formation.

The serve in volleyball is the first opportunity to score a point before your team needs to go on defense when your squad has earned the right to serve the ball.(DanielJ Coomber)

Learn How To Serve in Volleyball on ImproveYourVolley.com: What is an overhand serve? The serve in volleyball is the first opportunity to score a point before your team needs to go on defense when your squad has earned the right to serve the ball.

What Is An Overhand Serve
Drills and Skills

Learn How To Start Playing Volleyball on ImproveYourVolley.com: After learning what is an overhand serve in volleyball the next goal is to learn how to use your serve to score a point or how to put the opposing team in difficulty. (Arvesen)

After learning how to serve in volleyball the next goal is to learn how to use your serve to score a point or how to put the opposing team in difficulty so they can't run their offense to score a point.

Your goal should be to try and score a direct point from behind your service line. This is called an ace in volleyball.

Learn what is an overhand serve because improving your serve has to be a priority since it gets you more playing time! The articles below will help you do that...

Volleyball Drills For Serving Overhand, Float and Jump Serve Technique
These volleyball drills for serving help you to work on getting the ball to specific zones on the opposing team's court using the float serve and jump serve.
Volleyball Serve Drills Help Improve Your Serving Down The Line
Use these volleyball serve drills to improve serve difficulty when serving to zone 5 which helps force the Left Side hitter out of their team offensive system.
Here's How You Do 3 Versions of My Servers vs Passers Volleyball Drill
My servers vs passers volleyball drill can be as simple as skinny court coach or player server vs passer or as complex as full court two passers vs two servers.
Drills And Exercises To Improve Volleyball Serve Skills For A Floater
Use my training videos of exercises to improve volleyball serve skills we do in my clinics, Boot Camp classes, one on one private and semiprivate trainings.

What Is An Overhand Serve Tips and Terms

What Is An Overhand Serve
Tips

5 Tips On How To Unleash The Power Of Your Overhand Volleyball Serve
I reveal some of the secrets to perfecting your overhand volleyball serve, from proper form and serving rituals to various serve types and practice methods.

What Is An Overhand Serve
Terms

What's The Most Proper Volleyball Serve Technique? Learn 5 Serve Terms
What's the most proper volleyball serve technique to know? Learn the five serve terms for the let serve, sky ball serve, the overhand and the underhand serve.

What Is An Overhand Serve
Quotes

Find all the volleyball serving quotes you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley.

Volleyball Serve Quotes That Celebrate Players Who Serve Aces To Score
These volleyball serve quotes by Coach April's Volleybragswag inspire the float and jump servers on the team who score points and aces from the service line.
Inspirational Volleyball Quotes For Liberos Who Pass, Dig And Serve
These inspirational volleyball quotes for liberos celebrate and inspire defensive players and backcourt specialists who pass, dig and serve to help win games.

What Is An Overhand Serve
Beach Volleyball Info on
ImproveYourVolley.com

Find all the information of the beach volleyball serving information you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley (Ralph Aversen photo)

What is an overhand serve? Find all the information of the beach volleyball serving information you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley (Ralph Aversen photo)

What is an overhand serve? Find all the beach volleyball information you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley.

Angela Rock Indoor and Beach Olympian With The Killer Jump Serve
Of all the famous beach volleyball players in the US, Angela Rock was most well-known for having a tough jump serve that she used to score points in games.
A Beach Volleyball Serve Score Aces With A Jump Float Or Topspin Serve
Use your beach volleyball serve like the topspin, float, jump float and sky ball to score points by serving the ball where there are open spaces on the court.

What Is An Overhand Serve?
Training and Techniques

Find all the volleyball serving training and techniques you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley. (Richard Yuan)

What is an overhand serve? Discover all the volleyball serving training and techniques you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley. (Richard Yuan)

Volleyball Drills For Serving Overhand, Float and Jump Serve Technique
These volleyball drills for serving help you to work on getting the ball to specific zones on the opposing team's court using the float serve and jump serve.
Volleyball Serve Drills Help Improve Your Serving Down The Line
Use these volleyball serve drills to improve serve difficulty when serving to zone 5 which helps force the Left Side hitter out of their team offensive system.

Find all the volleyball serving techniques you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley.

What is an overhand serve? Find all the volleyball serving training and techniques you are looking for on ImproveYourVolley. (Henry Stern)

Volleyball Drills For Serving Overhand, Float and Jump Serve Technique
These volleyball drills for serving help you to work on getting the ball to specific zones on the opposing team's court using the float serve and jump serve.
What's The Most Proper Volleyball Serve Technique? Learn 5 Serve Terms
What's the most proper volleyball serve technique to know? Learn the five serve terms for the let serve, sky ball serve, the overhand and the underhand serve.

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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.

What is an Overhand Serve?
Where do you need to go now?

Here are three options:

Learn more about the volleyball information on Improve Your Volley.com in the Related Links below.
Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
Or visit the pages in the Information section in the drop down menu at the top of the page.

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