Serving

            Serving is a big part of volleyball because it is the first contact of every rally. If you serve tough you can get the other team out of system for a better chance to succeed in your offense. On the other hand if you miss your serve, in the net or out of bounds you give the other team a free point. So while serving you have to be smart and aggressive.

            There are many different types of serves you can use in volleyball. The majority of girls serve a jump float. When executed correctly a jump float, the ball should move back and forth in the air when it goes over the net. You can make the ball do this by keeping your wrist and hand firm and contacting the ball directly in the back. You also want to stop your hand, not following through, once you contact the ball. This will make it so there is little to no spin. Your foot work should be the same as your approach. If you are right handed, left, right, left. If you are left handed, right, left, right. Everyone’s timing will be different most people toss the ball right after their first step. This serve is very tough to serve receive especially if it is served at a high speed.

            Another serve you can do is a jump top spin. This is a popular serve in the men’s game because men can typically jump higher and are stronger so they can get more speed and better trajectory on the ball. The foot work for a jump top is the same as your approach. Again, the timing will differ but you should toss the ball before your first step and move forward to attack the ball. Make sure to keep the ball in front of you so you can use your strength to put some speed behind the ball. Also make sure you open up and use your core to get more power. Unlike the float you should snap your wrist and follow through with your arm to give the ball spin. Some girls have pretty good top spin serves and they can be really effective, but unless you are Micha Hancock sometimes they can be easier to pass because the passers can read where the ball will end up and can get under it more often than a jump float. A jump top often tends to be more inconsistent. It consists of a higher toss, higher jump and bigger swing which make mistakes more prominent.

            If you get your timing down and you are aggressive but also consistent with either of these serves you will be successful with your serving.

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