LESSON 7A
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS & DRILLS
THE SERVE
Set your Goals
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
enumerate the different kinds of service
learn & execute properly the types of service
enjoy and appreciate the different drills in service
Expand your Knowledge
SERVE
The serve is obviously an important part of a volleyball match. A highly effective serve
will score an outright winner - an ace. Even if it is not an outright winner, a serve can still put the
opponents in a weaker position by forcing an unruly pass, and possibly a weak set. The best
method devastating a powerful offense is to deliver a tough serve, and force them to a slower or
less desirable option of attack.
There are several types of serves. Top players may master several, but few players master
them all. For beginners, the most important factors in serving are speed and accuracy. The first
goal is to get the ball into the court with speed; the next concern is to maneuver the ball to the
defense's weakness
The rules require that the server remain behind the endline until the hall contacts.
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
The Serve
To serve is to put the ball in play, to start every rally. It is one skill that is under total
control. It is a form of attack because with a strong and tough serve, it can put pressure on the
opponents. The serve is not only an offensive weapon that can score points, but a defensive one,
as well, by causing the receiver to make bad passes to the setter, thus lessening the team's attack
options.
Serving Styles
A. UNDERHAND SERVE
Although most players serve overhand for greater power, the underhand serve was
successfully employed by the Japanese teams. Arguably, the underhand serve is a more
conservative, "safer," and accurate serve than the overhand serve
MECHANICS OF THE UNDERHAND SERVE
1. Left foot is slightly forward (Right foot for left handed server), and pointing towards the
net.
2. Extend the shelf hand or tossing hand in front the body.
3. The hitting arm is held in a relaxed, but ready position, extended straight and back.
4. Low, consistent and no spin toss.
5. The server watches the ball, and should be focused to contact the ball at the proper time.
6. Do the 1-2 rhythm: (count one toss the ball count 2 hit it) as the toss is made, put the
body weight on the rear foot; as the hit is made, put the body weight on the lead foot
(think of the movement of a rocking chair). The rhythm helps the server gain the
movement desired.
7. Hit the ball tossed on top of the lead foot after making short half steps,
8. Contact the ball with open or closed hands. If contacted with open hands, the rigid open
palm contact point should be unyielding, and consistent at contact.
9. Make a follow through by seeing your arm extend forward after the contact.
B. THE OVERHEAD FLOAT SERVE
This volleyball serve is one of the basics. The alignment of feet, hips, and shoulders
sets up the proper serve position. From proper weight transfer on approach to hand position
at the point of contact, learn the right way to serve the volleyball.
MECHANICS OF THE OVERHEAD SERVE
1. The footwork is similar to the underhand serve.
2. The tossing arm held out in front of the body.
3. The hitting arm is held above the right shoulder with the elbow the shoulder.
4. The one-two (toss-hit) rhythm is used.
5. Toss the ball above the head and in front of the shoulder after shifting the weight forward
to the front foot.
6. Contact the ball with the open hand made into a "wooden board"- rigid, fingers held
tightly together.
7. Make a follow through by seeing your hand and arm extended forward.
Perform the following Drills properly.
I.
1. Serve to partner over the net using the underhand or serve. Start from the 3-meter attack
line; then, from 6 meters from the net, and finally from the 9 meter line.
2. Put the net 2 to 3 meters away from the wall. Groups of 4's or 5's serve the ball from 6
meters, then to 9 meters away from the net.
3. Six on Six Serving
X1 FLAT H H FLAT
H H
X2
H H
X3
H H
X4
H H
X5
X6 FLAT
FLAT
XI-6 versus X 7 - 12 If they hit the feat targets, all the opponents must do 5 push-ups. If a hits a
chair, they must all do 5 push-ups. Either an individual player or the whole team commits any
out or net serves must do 2-laps joy around the court.
II. Serving Tactics
1. Serve to a weak receiver.
2. Serve to where a switching is taking place.
3. Serve to weak sports.
4. Serve to a player who has just committed an error.
5. Serve to substitute who has just entered the court.
6. Hit the best spiker.
III. When should a serve not miss a serve?
1. If the player is the first serve to start a set.
2. If the player being followed in the rotation serve has made a serve error.
3. After a time out called by the opponent.
4. During primetime or towards the end of the set. (Score is 24 all or 24-25)
A. The Jump Floater Serve
A firm wrist and a focus on the toss will help in a successful Jump Floater. A
coach demonstrates proper body position, as well as ball position, to get the point
across - and the ball across as well.
B. The Jump Serve with Top Spin
The most difficult part of this volleyball serve is the ball toss. Using much of
the same technique as a ground Top Spin Serve, Jump Serve follows a toss, approach,
attack pattern that will get the player and the ball in the air
C. The Top Spin Serve
"Point the toes where a player wants the ball to go.” For this volleyball serve a
player needs to use more than his/her toes. A snapping wrist and top of the ball
contact will get him/her the spin necessary for an impressive serve.
(R. T. Luczak Auburn Volleyball. The Serve Video Podeast)
