Volleyball season is under and new young players are being introduced to the game.
Every single person will learn to serve on their own terms. This information is intended to help them along during their journey and “shorten the learning curve”. Be sure to view the video below for a visual. You can practice the serve anywhere as long as you have a ball and space.
Elements of a good serve beginners should focus on evaluate and perfect include:
1) the toss and release
2) eye contact
3) arm swing
4) toss height
5) firm ball contact
Keep in mind this lengthy explanation of the overhand serve takes less than 3 seconds. With enough practice, serving will become second nature and over time players will make it their own. Until then it is a good idea to be methodical at the line.
Here is the overhand serve broken down into it’s PARTS.
TOSS
The toss is the most important part of the serve. The toss will effect everything that follows and needs to be right for you! Not too high /too low/ too much to the left or right or “far in front". You should not move to the ball serve!
MOVEMENT
When serving the only part of the body that moves is the “tossing arm”. Raise and release the ball above your head. Avoid bending the knees or folding forward at the waste. These movements are not value-added and does not allow you to keep your core engaged which is necessary to generate power! To minimize movement, make sure your shoulders are back and hips forward. This accomplishes good upper body posture and allows for better limb control!!
THE START / ball placement
Fully extend arm. Create a firm foundation by spreading fingers apart and placing the ball in the palm of your hand.
EYES ON BALL
The ball is a magnet and will “pull your eyes up”. Eyes on ball start to finish. Doing so will help with timing and being intentional when you start your forward motion to hit the ball.
BALL RELEASE
Raise the ball with steady elevation of the arm. Pop your wrist at the top of the raise to release the ball above your head. See the ball reach its high point.
Be patient. The “tossing arm” should remain up as the ball is still traveling up. The toss/release should not be jerky.
HEIGHT OF BALL
The ball needs to be high enough so that you can load up your arm. Which means pull your hitting arm back “just enough” and get ready to ricochet it forward. The ball should not be so high. A high toss will effect timing and require you to hold back.
URGENCY
Timing is everything. Begin your arm swing as soon as the ball reaches its highest point and on its way down. Your arm should be fully extended at contact!!
ANGEL OF HITTING ARM
“Arm fold= 90". The arm swing is initiated by moving the elbow first then extend to contact ball at your highest reach. Arm swing has to be FAST to be able to transfer sufficient energy into the ball to get it from “A-B”.
FIRMNESS
To effectively transfer power into the ball it is necessary to have a “stiff hand”. Avoid flimsy “princess hand” contact! But rather wide hand big fingers spread and solid wrist.
ELBOW
Elbow shoulder height or above. Do not make any negative moves by dropping the elbow. Focus on forward motion. No Unnecessary movements = NO wasted energy. A low elbow over time can result in pain/injury.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TOSS IS GOOD?
To know if the toss is correct: Allow the ball to drop. If the ball lands close to the body in front of your back foot or the vicinity, that is prefect!! This means you will not need to step to the ball and the ball will cross paths with your palm when you swing to hit it = Good TIMING.
Mechanics are everything and as a beginner you should be mindful and intentional at all times. With practice your serve will become instinctual.
Coach O
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