Five keys to success in volleyball serving

In volleyball, the serve is the most critical component of the game. If he fails to deliver, loss is certain, but master the serve and victory is almost undeniable. Whether you’re a novice or professional athlete, brushing up on serving basics is essential to improving game performance.

•SERVE 101

To deliver a serve effectively, the fundamentals of the serve must be mastered over the top before moving on to more advanced techniques.

1. Body Position: Feet, hips, and shoulders face in the desired direction of the serve. If you are right-handed, your left foot should be slightly in front of your right foot.

2. Ball Position: Place the ball in your non-serving hand at chest height. The elbow should be loose with a slight bend.

3. Arm Position: The elbow and hand of the serving arm should be bent at a 90° angle, approximately at ear level, with the hand open and the wrist locked. The elbow must remain at or above ear level throughout the serve to avoid hitting the net.

4. Throwing the ball: The most critical element of the serve is the throwing of the ball. It should be between 12″ and 18″ above the server’s head and positioned in front of the serving shoulder. Keep the movement simple and go high.

5. Ball Contact – Hit the ball with the heel of your hand through the middle of the ball. The hand should be open and flat, the wrist locked, the arm extended and take a step forward. Follow the movement, ending with the striking hand in line with the body. This guarantees maximum speed and power.

•COMMON MISTAKES

Poor pitch – Consistency is the most critical aspect of pitching. Keep the same height and position with each throw, aim for a spot on the volleyball and hit as hard as possible.

Loose wrist or hand: The service wrist and hand should be stiff when hitting the ball.

Lack of Confidence – Practice makes perfect, not only in the physical aspect of the game, but also in the mental one. Try to simulate the pressures of the game during practice with various drills.

•DRILLS

Drills are necessary to create an unbreakable serve. Without drills, reliable performance cannot be achieved. The bottom line is that REPEAT builds muscle memory. Muscle memory leads to CONSISTENCY. Consistency leads to scoring. It consists of scoring equals WINNING.

Beginner level serving drill (requires 2 players)

Have one player stand on each side of the court, taking turns serving each other. Start at the 10′ line, a suitable point to get the ball out without overexerting yourself. Gradually progress back every 5 serves until you finally reach behind the baseline. As your skill level improves, start moving to different areas of the court to perfect your serve placement.

Intermediate level service exercise (team exercise)

The purpose of this drill is to improve accuracy. Divide the team into 2 squads, with 1 on each side of the net. In zone 1 on each side of the net, place a chair. Have 1 player from each team represented in a chair. The remaining members try to place the serve close enough for the individual in the chair to catch the ball out of the air. If the ball is caught, the server must run under the net, swap places with the person in the chair, while that person joins the server team. Continue this sequence, moving the chair to a new area with the change of people in the chair.

•STRATEGY

Like any sport, strategy can make or break the outcome of a volleyball game. When executed correctly, the strategy can build confidence and momentum in the team. However, before designing these tactics, first familiarize the players with the types of services. Second, educate the players about the areas of the court. Lastly, understand the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition – the key to an effective offense.

•STRENGTH TRAINING

Volleyball is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, flexibility, and explosive power. To prevent injury and improve overall performance, players should engage in resistance training. This training is vital in preparing athletes for the physical demands experienced during a game. Specific focus should be given to the core strength that facilitates balance. Joint flexibility and tendon strength are other areas that require focus.